A Sex and Murder Classic

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain (1934) – A drifter meets up with a good looking young woman married to an older man. The attraction is irresistible for them both, and that will lead them to plan the husband’s death.

To write one great novel is more than most writers achieve. To write a novel that is included among the 100 best novels (Modern Library) is beyond most writer’s dreams. But to then write several others that become some of the defining works for an entire genre (the roman noir – Postman, “Mildred Pierce” and “Double Indemnity”), you wonder why one writer gets to hog the spotlight this way. That those three novels were turned into classic noir films feels like gilding the lily.

Yet, on top of that literary mountain is where you will find James. M. Cain. He would write 21 novels or novellas, most of which are forgotten in the large part. “The Postman Always Rings Twice” is his first, which makes it even more stunning.

It’s told from the point of view of our drifter, Frank Chambers. Frank’s not a bad guy, but he’s not a Boy Scout either. Cora Papadakis is married to the owner of a diner Frank stops at to scam a meal. Nick Papadakis is an older man who takes a liking to Frank and offers him a job. All Frank sees is Cora, so he accepts the job and begins a violent, torrid affair with his boss’s wife. What grows out of that decision is a twisted story of fear, greed, and lust. Frank and Cora will slam into each other’s lives, spin apart and then slam together again.

“The Postman Always Rings Twice” gives you everything you want in a noir story. The cynicism with which the lovers try to plot the perfect murder, the strong pull of sex, crime, and the seedy underbody of the human soul. And then at the end, Cain throws all his characters into a hole from which none of them will emerge.

Like many readers, I was puzzled by the title. It’s not a spoiler to tell you that a postman (a mailman in the American style of the day) does not figure in any aspect of the story. The story behind the title is interesting. Cain and his publisher, Knopf, couldn’t settle on a title. Despite being desperate for money at the time, Cain wanted just the right feel. In a different conversation, a friend mentioned that in England, the postman would always ring the doorbell twice. Cain fell in love with the title, which Knopf hated, and won the day. He points out that the two parts of the doorbell ring matches the characters confrontation with justice. It will take the second ring to finish them.

Boston may have banned this book in the day (considered far too violent and sexy), but I’m astounded how well the storytelling holds up. Cain had a feel for the language of everyday men of his time. His storytelling is spare, with no unneeded bits. The tension of the lovers as they approach the end of their journey grabbed a hold of me to the surprise at the end.

And all of it in 130 pages. Astonishing.

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation