James M. Cain wrote some of the grittiest novels in American literature,
including such classics as The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double
Indemnity, and Mildred Pierce. James M. Cain: Hard-Boiled Mythmaker is a
critical overview of the author's life, work, and legacy. An updated and
expanded edition of two of David Madden's scholarly works on Cain, this
new book improves upon the previous works by collecting the most
essential writing on Cain by Madden into one volume. In addition to
melding existing material, this work contains updated and new material,
including fresh commentaries on later books, such as Rainbow's End,
Cloud Nine, and The Enchanted Isle, as well as later film adaptations,
including Butterfly. It also responds to 40 years' worth of criticism on
Cain and reevaluates his influence. Providing an overview of all of
Cain's fiction, including an analysis of the major themes of his entire
literary career, the book also describes Cain's impact on and importance
in 20th-century culture, film in particular. In addition to a
biographical summary and thematic outline of Cain's nearly 50-year
career, Madden and Mecholsky examine how Cain's works explore the
nightmare consequences of the persistent American dream. Finally, Madden
and Mecholsky consider Cain's technical innovations of the novel and
survey the major film adaptations of Cain's novels. With its significant
in-depth analysis and a foreword by Edgar-award winning author Max Allan
Collins, this volume will be of interest to Cain scholars as well as
anyone interested in 20th century American literature and film.
