A thread for questions, observations, and comments about Robert Polito's talk and, if you wish, other aspects of the 8 October noir event at the library.
I really enjoyed Polito's talk and his readings. The story about the ring really stood out to me, and made me feel bad for the husband. I also enjoyed the readings done by the students.
I really enjoyed the students reading in the beginning. I felt like the stories definitely lured me in, and they really emphasized the noir mood. I wanted to learn more about NoirCon, but I left before I heard the discussion!
I've started rereading the novel, and I think Polito's right about Goodis's style therein: especially when the protagonist (Vincent Parry) is remembering past stresses, it goes into that almost obsessively repetitious Gertrude Steinlike prose — maybe a little Hemingwayish.
There was a passage read from a novel in which the husband believed he was commanded (by God?) to kill his wife, as well as his children, I believe. It just really struck me for somewhat personal reasons and I was wondering if anyone remembered/knew the author or title of the work?
I really didn't like the students' stories. I thought the writing itself was fine, but I didn't like the fact that they just hijacked some mugshots of a few guys, who in all likelihood had only committed petty misdemeanors, and then wrote gruesome and defamatory stories about them, using their real names. Seemed pretty underhanded.
Uhm, yeh, because it makes so much sense that these dudes would be highly offended by undergrads exploring the genre of film noir through a sampling of mug shots that they are most definitely going to care or happen to read. If they are even still living. And if this work were even published. What are you, the SOPA of creative writing?
I've never read Goodis, but from the high praise coming from Polito I'm intrigued. As far as the student stories went... they were mostly meh. Most of the details seemed contrived, and almost too ridiculous for the even story pacing of Noir. I actually enjoyed the idea of taking mugshots and adding stories to them.
Er, sorry if my above comment was a bit harsh. I wasn't trying to assault you via the internet, but it's easy to make a bad habit of being brusque in these virtual environments. I apologize if I offended you.
Unfortunately I was absent from Polito's talk last Monday, so I can only contribute to this discussion in a very oblique and irrelevant way. From what I gathered, it seems that people are suggesting that passages from David Goodis's Dark Passage was read. Now I never read this novel but I did go on the Wikipedia page and it did mention that there was a Tales from the Crypt episode that was inspired by the story. This post is probably only relevant to me in the sense that I was probably the only one who had irresponsible enough of parents who allowed me to watch campy, horror themed shows on late night HBO when I was a toddler, but considering Halloween is coming up I thought this post might be entertaining for someone who is interested in the basic premise of the story but doesn't have time to read the book. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MLNHlzSdoI Enjoy!
Polito's reading of the Godis excerpt was spot-on--he captured what I would think was his intended mood, the anxiety and frustration the main character felt. It was dark, a tad disturbing, and awesome. I'm not familiar with a ton of Noir--except what we have been doing in class--but I would like to read "Dark Passage" in its entirety over break.
I enjoyed the readings by the students as well. It hearkened back to my favorite class--creative writing--and just gave me warm, fuzzy feelings of nostalgia...coupled with unease. The idea of writing a back-story to the criminals' mugshots was also quite creative, and gives me even more ideas for future writings.
I really enjoyed Polito's talk and his readings. The story about the ring really stood out to me, and made me feel bad for the husband. I also enjoyed the readings done by the students.
ReplyDeleteNot a story, exactly, but two pages from Goodis's Dark Passage.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the students reading in the beginning. I felt like the stories definitely lured me in, and they really emphasized the noir mood. I wanted to learn more about NoirCon, but I left before I heard the discussion!
ReplyDeleteThis year's NoirCon sounds exciting, but it costs a lot to register.
ReplyDeleteI loved the excerpt about the ring. He did a nice job reading it too. The story was basic, plain, and not that wordy- but dramatic.
ReplyDeleteI've started rereading the novel, and I think Polito's right about Goodis's style therein: especially when the protagonist (Vincent Parry) is remembering past stresses, it goes into that almost obsessively repetitious Gertrude Steinlike prose — maybe a little Hemingwayish.
ReplyDeleteThere was a passage read from a novel in which the husband believed he was commanded (by God?) to kill his wife, as well as his children, I believe. It just really struck me for somewhat personal reasons and I was wondering if anyone remembered/knew the author or title of the work?
ReplyDeleteThe wife was like pleading with him to spare her as he had her by the wrist and whatnot... Anyone?
ReplyDeleteI really didn't like the students' stories. I thought the writing itself was fine, but I didn't like the fact that they just hijacked some mugshots of a few guys, who in all likelihood had only committed petty misdemeanors, and then wrote gruesome and defamatory stories about them, using their real names. Seemed pretty underhanded.
ReplyDeleteUhm, yeh, because it makes so much sense that these dudes would be highly offended by undergrads exploring the genre of film noir through a sampling of mug shots that they are most definitely going to care or happen to read. If they are even still living. And if this work were even published. What are you, the SOPA of creative writing?
ReplyDeleteI've never read Goodis, but from the high praise coming from Polito I'm intrigued. As far as the student stories went... they were mostly meh. Most of the details seemed contrived, and almost too ridiculous for the even story pacing of Noir. I actually enjoyed the idea of taking mugshots and adding stories to them.
ReplyDeleteEr, sorry if my above comment was a bit harsh. I wasn't trying to assault you via the internet, but it's easy to make a bad habit of being brusque in these virtual environments. I apologize if I offended you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I was absent from Polito's talk last Monday, so I can only contribute to this discussion in a very oblique and irrelevant way. From what I gathered, it seems that people are suggesting that passages from David Goodis's Dark Passage was read. Now I never read this novel but I did go on the Wikipedia page and it did mention that there was a Tales from the Crypt episode that was inspired by the story. This post is probably only relevant to me in the sense that I was probably the only one who had irresponsible enough of parents who allowed me to watch campy, horror themed shows on late night HBO when I was a toddler, but considering Halloween is coming up I thought this post might be entertaining for someone who is interested in the basic premise of the story but doesn't have time to read the book. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MLNHlzSdoI
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
Polito's reading of the Godis excerpt was spot-on--he captured what I would think was his intended mood, the anxiety and frustration the main character felt. It was dark, a tad disturbing, and awesome. I'm not familiar with a ton of Noir--except what we have been doing in class--but I would like to read "Dark Passage" in its entirety over break.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the readings by the students as well. It hearkened back to my favorite class--creative writing--and just gave me warm, fuzzy feelings of nostalgia...coupled with unease. The idea of writing a back-story to the criminals' mugshots was also quite creative, and gives me even more ideas for future writings.