This book really surprised me. There's something of a sense of humanity and impotence that Thompson touches on here that is absent from his other work. Don't get me wrong- the novel is devoid of sentimentality. The setting is dated but that really appealled to me. It functions as a work of history to those of us born in the mid-late seventies. It is also a hard-boiled love-story and crime story taking place at a work camp comprised of hoboes laying a gas pipeline in west Texas, just "south of heavan." As a recent college grad I could really identify with the human protagonist, a kid who has a gift, a set of skills, who is being pushed around by others and on the inside. He has a decision to make. And that decision isn't as obvious as everyone is telling him it is. What I love about Jim Thompson is that nothing is black and white. Nothing is one or two diminsional. There are good guys and bad guys. Most of the time its the supposed bad guy, or a terrific sociopath that the reader is forced to identify with. And if a guy is really bad through and through, Thompson gives you a damn good reason why. This isn't my favorite Jim Thompson book. I prefer the classics like After Dark my Sweet, the Getaway, The Killer Inside Me, etc. etc. But South of Heavan definitely belongs in the top ten, maybe even top five in the pantheon.

Jim Thompson on women. That could follow the tile after a colon. As such, you, the lucky reader, are introduced to three women whose agendas and m.o.'s aren't what they seem (or are they?) at any given point in the narrative. The end exploits a great literary device and I guarantee you will not predict it. Jim Thompson was a hell of a writer and this is one hell of a book!

This work features a third-person narrative which isn't too common to the Thompson ouvre. It works because the reader gets the unique perspective of each of the principle characters. Ok most of you are probably familiar with the basic plot of the book due to the miserable Alec Baldwin vehicle and the decent Peckinpah adaptation. It starts with a great robbery, and the rest of the book is about the getaway. The book is the ultimate page turner- absolutely fantastic to to the bitter end. If you like the book and haven't seen the movies- don't bother.

Trademark Jim Thompson characters and twists. But in this incarnation the formula is twisted and blended into perfection. If you only could read on Jim Thompson novel (which would be a crying shame) I would recommend After Dark my Sweet. Every character is well developed and seems real. The subject matter is still very relevant,not as dated as other Thompson fare like Pop 1280 and South of Heavan.

Let me preface this with the fact that I am a Vacchs fan. Vacch's persona and the eye patch and all that is intriguing. That said, Flood is a pretty good book. The problem is that the book loses steam toward the end. The climax is predictable, and the denoument betrays the protagonist's sensiblities. Burke is set up as so hard boiled that the end's sentimentality doesn't work, in my humble opinion. Max the Silent isn't well developed and comes off as corny at best. Flood and Burke and Pansy are great though. It's definitley worth a read.

-Rip Off is worth a read, especially for the Jim Thompson enthusiast. Last thing Thompson wrote before he died. The first chapter just tugs you right in. Forget about putting it down. The protagonist is great. Any man who thinks he was meant for bigger and better will associate with him. Ok- so here's the question...I read the New Black Mask Quarterly #1 in 1985 which included the First few chapters of Rip Off. However it said that Thompson died before he could arrange the typescript. That's the problem. You can really tell that Jim Thompson couldn't go back to put his finishing touches on the story. But read it anyway. Its still better than anything Robert B. Parker ever wrote. amen

My major complaint is with the location. Mr. Ballard, it would be Estrella del Mar not Estrella De Mar. You forgat the article bro. It's ok. really. You'll like Bobby Crawford, the type of guy you really want to hate but can't help loving. The provocative title might sell some copies but its not really honest. Don't expect Hurly-Burly. I'm a big fan of Ballard's other work esp. sci-fi stuff so I give him props for attempting to follow the formula of the detective novel. The problem is, as a detective novel it doesn't really work. As a decent narrative and escapism its ok.

Ok so I'm not the biggest TON fan. I just like how they don't take themselves and a scene too seriously. I decided to get this new offering after hearing Everything Dies on the radio. Guess what? It's the best or most palitable song on the record. The record's ok. Not as good as Bloody Kisses. Well, good is subjective so, not as catchy as Bloody Kisses. Maybe I just have to listen to it more. Don't be fooled by the intro. That's all I have to say.

Excellent compilation of crime novels from the 50's. The authors don't just follow the formula they exploit it. Can only buy individual books in paperback so the hardcover binding is nice. If you have the books in paperback already get for the pretty package. I did. Includes arguably the quintessential Jim Thompson novel, a chilling first person narrative of a psychopathic cop, The Killer Inside Me, The Talented Mr. Ripley which is great but not as good as the sequels Ripley Under Ground and Ripley's Game, Pick up, a story narrated by a depressed, cynical loser who's given up on life and decides to take the woman he picks up with him. You'll never guess the great twist at the end as well The Real Cool Killers and Down There which was made into Truffaut's Shoot the Piano player. Sure, the authors' literary devices and cheap tricks might rub the literary critic in you the wrong way but I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. Don't think twice- get it.