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The Getaway

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'The Getaway' by Jim Thompson follows the story of Doc McCoy and his wife, Carol, as they attempt to escape after a bank robbery goes awry. The narrative explores themes of desperation, betrayal, and violence as the couple navigates a dangerous journey to evade the law and their criminal associates. The writing style is described as dark, unglamorous, and deeply nihilistic, portraying a gritty and realistic depiction of crime and its consequences.

Characters:

The characters include the charming yet ruthless Doc McCoy, his increasingly unstable wife Carol, and the violent antagonist Rudy, who complicates their plans.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized as gritty and hard-boiled, with deep psychological insights, though it transitions into more surreal elements toward the end.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a bank robbery and its violent aftermath, showcasing the breakdown of the main characters' relationship amid constant danger.

Setting:

The setting reflects a range from claustrophobic hideouts to more surreal locations, contributing to the nightmarish experience of the characters.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick, especially in action-driven sequences, but shifts to a more surreal and disjointed pace in the latter part, causing varied reader reactions.
Carter "Doc" McCoy had left a morning call for six o'clock, and he was reaching for the telephone the moment the night clerk rang. He had always awakened easily and pleasantly; a man with not a regret...

Notes:

The Getaway is about a bank robbery and its aftermath.
Doc McCoy, the main character, is portrayed as a warm, personable charmer until he turns violent.
The novel explores the complex relationship between Doc and his wife, Carol.
The story features a damaged accomplice named Rudy who complicates their getaway.
The book was originally published in 1959 as throwaway pulp fiction.
Jim Thompson's writing is known for its psychological insights into characters, even when they are morally reprehensible.
The novel has been adapted into films, with both Steve McQueen and Alec Baldwin playing Doc McCoy in different versions.
The ending of the book features surreal elements, making it feel like a descent into an abstract hell.
Readers often find the characters relatable despite their criminal nature, blurring the line between good and evil.
Jim Thompson's works are considered significant in the hard-boiled crime genre.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The Getaway contains high triggers/content warnings for violence, murder, psychological manipulation, and themes of betrayal.

From The Publisher:

Doc McCoy is the most skilled criminal alive. But when for the first time in Doc's long criminal career, his shot doesn't hit the mark, everything begins to fall apart. And Doc begins to realize that the perfect bank robbery isn't complete without the perfect getaway to back it up.

THE GETAWAY is the classic story of a bank robbery gone horribly wrong, where the smallest mistakes have catastrophic consequences, and shifting loyalties lead to betrayals and chaos. The basis for the classic Steve McQueen film of the same name, as well as a 1994 remake with Alec Baldwin, Thompson's novel set the bar for every heist story that followed-but as Thompson's proved time and again, nobody's ever done it better than the master.

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