'A Hell of a Woman' by Jim Thompson is a dark and twisted tale following the life of door-to-door salesman Frank Dillon as he becomes entangled with a troubled young woman and her manipulative aunt. The story delves into themes of greed, lust, and murder, showcasing the protagonist's descent into his own personal hell. Thompson's writing style is described as hard-boiled and gritty, providing a disturbing contrast to the shocking narrative of the book. The unconventional storytelling method used by Thompson helps reveal the dark underbelly of humanity, making the book a recommended read for those unafraid of exploring the seamier side of life.

The plot of the book is fast-paced and engaging, starting with Dillon encountering the woman who will be his undoing in the first sentence. As the story progresses, the reader witnesses Dillon's mental state deteriorate, adding to the tension and darkness of the narrative. Despite some mixed opinions on certain aspects of the book, such as the experimental elements and occasional clumsiness in the plot, 'A Hell of a Woman' is praised for its gripping storytelling and the way Thompson peels back the layers of the protagonist to reveal his rotten core.

Characters:

The characters are largely flawed, with Dillon as an unreliable narrator and others embodying various vices and moral failures.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines a casual tone with stark, unflinching descriptions of a bleak world, making for a compelling yet disturbing read.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a troubled salesman drawn into a web of crime and deceit, ultimately culminating in a dark and twisted conclusion.

Setting:

The setting captures a dark and oppressive atmosphere, typical of crime fiction in mid-20th century.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, effectively drawing readers into the chaotic and despair-filled world of the protagonist.

I'D GOTTEN out of my car and was running for the porch when I saw her. She was peering through the curtains of the door, and a flash of lightning lit up the dark glass for an instant, framing her face...

Notes:

Jim Thompson is known as one of the greatest pulp writers.

He wrote thirty novels during the late 1940s and 1950s.

Many of Thompson's novels later became successful movies.

His characters often include psychopaths and anti-heroes.

Thompson's stories are filled with dark humor and despair.

A Hell of a Woman is narrated in the first person from the perspective of Dolly Dillon.

Dolly Dillon is depicted as a salesman who lives a morally questionable life.

The plot features themes of greed, lust, and murder.

The characters in Thompson's novels are often unlikable and poorly redeemable.

Thompson's writing style immerses readers into the minds of morally complex characters.

The ending of A Hell of a Woman is noted for being complex and requiring multiple readings for clarity.

Jim Thompson's works offer a bleak view of humanity, portrayed through hard-boiled storytelling.

Thompson is praised for his ability to convey character-driven destinies in simple language.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of violence, abuse, mental illness, and themes of greed and murder, making it unsuitable for sensitive readers.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, primarily revolving around the protagonist's entanglement with the young woman Mona, intertwined with themes of manipulation and exploitation.

From The Publisher:

Frank "Dolly" Dillon has a job he hates, working sales and collections for Pay-E-Zee Stores, a wife named Joyce he can't stand, and an account balance that barely allows him to pay the bills each month. Working door-to-door one day, trying to eke money out of folk with even less of it than he has, Dolly crosses paths with a beautiful young woman named Mona Farrell. Mona's being forced by her aunt to do things she doesn't like, with men she doesn't know - she wants out, any way she can get it. And to a man who wants nothing of what he has, Mona sure looks like something he actually does.

Soon Dolly and Mona find themselves involved in a scheme of robbery, murder and mayhem that makes Dolly's blood run cold. As Dolly's plans begin to unravel, his mind soon follows.

In A Hell of a Woman, Jim Thompson offers another arresting portrait of a deviant mind, in an ambitious crime novel that ranks among his best work.

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1 comment(s)

aausum652

It Was OK

6 months

SPL please stop recommending weird books

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A Hell of a Woman

Jim Thompson