And in the last good kiss, crumley uses it to explore the battered bars and small towns of seventies postvietnam war american. The last good kiss by james crumley signed first edition. Tough, hardboiled, and brilliantly suspenseful, the last good. The last good kiss, a novel by crumley, james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The last good kiss c w sughrue, book 1 by james crumley. The 1978 publication of the last good kiss was a turning point not only in the career of its author james crumley but also in the crime genre itself. This page contains details about the fiction book the last good kiss by james crumley published in 1978. And, son, never trust a man who drinks but refuses to get drunk. The last good kiss by james crumley author ian rankin author of introduction. The last good kiss quotes showing 114 of 14 when i finally caught up with abraham trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named fireball roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of sonoma, california, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring afternoon. It is generally regarded as crumleys best novel, and any number of contemporary crime writers have described it as their favorite crime novel of all. But theres that final chapter 19, crumley s biting, hardboiled social commentary on how 1970s america has taken a tougher, more violent turn in the 30 years since chandler and marlowe.
The novel did not sell particularly well, nor did crumley s. Sughrue, a montana investigator who kills time by working at a. The last good kiss by james crumley, signed abebooks. In 2007, the magazine mens journal named the last good kiss as number 12 on its list of top 15 thrillers of all time, and in newsweek, george pelecanos, crime author and coproducer of the hbo series the wire, rated crumley s the last good kiss as number 3 in his list of the five most important crime novels. The last good kiss still blows me away, the complexity of the story, the flawed and damaged nature of the characters, the way it wove counter cultural themes and crime fiction together. The last good kiss author james crumley formatbinding minimal wear. Sep 21, 2008 the last good kiss followed in 1978 with another montana detective, cw sughrue, and cult status was assured when milo returned for a second outing in dancing bear in 1983. Books by james crumley authors like james crumley what should i read next register for free to build your own book lists. I read about james crumley s recent passing and decided to try the last good kiss, and im glad i did. The last good kiss, written in 1978, is a novel many fans of crime fiction have never heard of.
Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. Although nobody has investigated the genealogical niceties in detail, it is pretty generally agreed that westerns and thrillers have family in com mon. The last good kiss by james crumley, first edition abebooks passion for books. The last good kiss, book by james crumley paperback.
If chapter 18 was the books last chapter we would have had a happy ending. The last good kiss by james crumley the greatest books. In 1978 the last good kiss was published, which introduced crumleys other detective protagonist, c. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk. Noir, pulp, and hardboiled detective fiction had been around the block a bit by the time james crumley got his hands on them in the late 70s.
Gardner dozois recommended james crumleys the last good kiss to me as the best hardboiled detective novel written in the last ten years. James crumley is one of the most influential crime writers of the postchandler era, and his raw, subversive novels have earned him living legend status. Hes been described as a cross between raymond chandler and hunter s. Again, crumley s gritty talent surfaces on nearly every pagebut the plot is enervating, milos a boor with pretensions i have learned some things. This book is the 1989th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. Crumleys breathtakingly violent books swept the hardboiled. Jul 20, 2014 james crumley, the last good kiss 1978 opening paragraphs are not easy to get write, but crumleys is a cracker. James crumley, crime novelist, is dead at 68 the new.
Sughrue, a montana investigator who kills time by working at a topless bar. James crumley 1 james crumley 1 primary author only james crumley disambiguation author division james crumley is composed of at least 2 distinct authors, divided by their works. James crumley, the last good kiss 1978 what are you. James crumley has 37 books on goodreads with 35509 ratings. Hired to track down a derelict author, he ends up on the trail of a girl missing in haight. Hes an exceptionally skilled writer, who draws his heavily flawed characters. After high school, he enlisted in the us army, then attended college in. The relationship may not be conjugal or parental, but the two are at least kissing cousins. The last good kiss by james crumley a readable copy. Go to the disambiguation page to edit author name combination and separation. The last good kiss by james crumley, signed abebooks passion for books. The last good kiss by james crumley overdrive rakuten. As a bookshop affiliate and an amazon associate, the rumpus earns a percentage from qualifying purchases. But done well, the private investigator is a terrific vehicle to explore society and its underbelly.
His book the last good kiss has been described as the most influential. Sughrue series began with the last good kiss and concluded with crumleys final novel, the right madness in 2005. He lived in missoula, montana with his wife martha until his death on september 17, 2008. Books by james crumley authors like james crumley what. James crumley, crime novelist, is dead at 68 the new york times.
The last good kiss c w sughrue, book 1 by james crumley book cover, description, publication history. His novel the last good kiss was referred to as the most influential crime novel of the last 50 years. Hired to track down a derelict author, he ends up on the trail of a. James crumleys most popular book is the last good kiss c. The right madness i loved earlier crumley novels such as the last good kiss, but he seems to have lost the detachment and sense of humor that made his scathing asides entertaining. Another was james crumley s crime novel, the last good kiss. Although praised by his fellow authors, up until about 1990, his books sold more in japan and france than they did stateside. James crumley made his debut as a published novelist in 1969 with the book one to count cadence. Created by james crumley 19392008 when i finally caught up with abraham trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named fireball roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of sonoma, california, drinking the heart right out of a fine spring afternoon. Firstly, it probably has the greatest opening line of any book ive ever read. The last good kiss by crumley, james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One of the most influential crime novels ever written, by a legend of the genre. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the last good kiss.
Joseph knobbs, crime fiction buyer for waterstones, makes his case for an oftenneglected masterpiece, the last good kiss by james crumley, the book he would like to see reestablish its place as one of the finest pieces of crime writing. The final country brings back milo milodragovitch, who has stumbled into a prosperous, peaceful late middle age and hates every minute of it. Crumleys first published novel, 1969s one to count cadence, which was set in the philippines and vietnam, began as the thesis for his masters degree in creative writing from the iowa writers workshop in 1966. When i finally caught up with abraham trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named.
I gave it one star because, if this was the last book in the world, i might read it. Introduced in the last good kiss random house, 1978, he also starred. Explore books by james crumley with our selection at. With all due respect to elmore leonard, james lee burke and the genres other heavyweights, its the best hardboiled novel of the past 25 years. The last good kiss by james crumley abebooks passion for books. The guest brahmin, john clarkson, is a novelist id never heard of, but from his picture, clarkson appears to be a big guy, balding, moustached with goatee, hint of. Buy james crumley ebooks to read online or download in pdf or epub on your pc, tablet or mobile device.
I broke down and read it after i got tired of hearing fawning references to its immortal opening sentence when i finally caught up with abraham trahearne, he was drinking beer with an alcoholic bulldog named fireball roberts in a ramshackle joint just outside of sonoma. Buy the paperback book the last good kiss by james crumley at indigo. Modern life is warfare without end, and only a fraction of the hardboiled readership will be steadily engaged. Gardner dozois recommended james crumley s the last good kiss to me as the best hardboiled detective novel written in the last ten years. The last good kiss paperback november 5, 1988 by james crumley author.
Buy the last good kiss by james crumley online at alibris. Tough, hardboiled, and brilliantly suspenseful, the last good kiss is an unforgettable detective story starring c. James crumley books list of books by author james crumley. With that kind of recommendation, i would have been hardpressed to pass it up. His book the last good kiss has been described as the most influential crime novel of the last 50 years. The novel was only crumleys second foray into crime fiction but it brought. It is generally regarded as crumley s best novel, and any number of contemporary crime writers have described it as their favorite crime. James arthur crumley october 12, 1939 september 17, 2008 was the author of violent. Son, never trust a man who doesnt drink because hes probably a selfrighteous sort, a man who thinks he knows right from wrong all the time. The glad and the sad the last good kiss is 19 chapters long. Of james crumley, he has been described as a major definer and the patron saint of the private eye novel when it comes to postvietnam. Hired to track down a derelict author, he ends up on the trail of a girl missing in haightashbury for.
Anyone who doubts the accuracy of that label should read crumleys 1978 masterpiece, the last good kiss. Sughrue books in order of when they were originally released. James crumley s most popular book is the last good kiss c. Sughrue, an alcoholic former army officer who is now a p. In addition, his novel the last good kiss has been called the most influential crime novel to come out in the past fifty years. Published in 1978, the last good kiss is james crumley s third novel and the first to feature c. Booklist if everything is bigger in texas, then that includes the boldness of the criminals who call the. Apr 20, 2016 the last good kiss ebook written by james crumley. This is talented james crumley s least impressive work yet, exhibiting his established knack for rossmacdonaldish bite and dour toughness but lumbered with an off the wail plot, sluggish pacing, and an unconscionably smug narratorsleuth. After leaving his last teaching job in 1984, crumley worked fulltime as a writer. May, 2016 the last good kiss by james crumley, 9781784161583, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Some of them are good men, but in the name of goodness, they cause most of the suffering in the world. Sughrue about five years ago, and it was wonderful to revisit the character to. Published in 1978, the last good kiss is james crumleys third novel and the first to feature c.
Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. Whatever the case, i came away from the book thinking two things. I first read about the exploits of crumley s endearingly amoral private detective c. Books by james crumley author of the last good kiss.
But theres that final chapter 19, crumleys biting, hardboiled social commentary on how 1970s america has taken a tougher, more violent turn in the 30 years since chandler and marlowe. I recently reread james crumley s the last good kiss. The last good kiss by james crumley great pick for 2020. James crumleys two brilliant novels posted on april, 2014 by dave stanton the last good kiss and the wrong case, by james crumley are two extraordinary detective novels. Hired to track down a derelict author, he ends up on the trail of a girl missing in haightashbury for a decade. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Given that context, the final country is an unexpected pleasure a fierce, funny, wickedly well written novel, easily crumley s finest since the last good kiss. The last good kiss followed in 1978 with another montana detective, cw sughrue, and cult status was assured when milo returned for a second outing in dancing bear in 1983. In the novel bordersnakes, crumley brought both characters together. Now his narrators world is full of things he loathes and despises. Think of the book as a sort of criminal travelogue.
James crumley s the last good kiss came to me through a shelf awareness book brahmin interview. James crumley, 68, wrote 11 novels but was best known for his 1978 book, the last good kiss. The last good kiss followed in 1978 with another montana detective, cw. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
While not in macdonald, chandler, and elroys league, crumley comes as close as anyone ive read. The last good kiss author crumley, james formatbinding hardcover book condition used quantity available 1 edition first edition binding hardcover publisher random house place of publication new york date published 1978 bookseller catalogs modern fiction. The last good kiss is a book that singlehandedly redefined the detective novel for the postvietnam generation theres a pi, a missing writer and a missing girl, plus a labyrinthine plot that wends its way through some very shadowy places. See all books authored by james crumley, including the last good kiss, and the wrong case, and more on. The tense hunt becomes obsessive as sughrue takes a haunting journey through the. The last good kiss by james crumley, first edition abebooks. Buy a cheap copy of the last good kiss book by james crumley. James crumley 19392008 was an american author of hardboiled crime fiction. Here he talks about how discovering a battered old copy of the last good kiss a classic mystery by crimewriting giant james crumley sparked a life long love of the genre. If chapter 18 was the book s last chapter we would have had a happy ending. Apr 20, 2016 joseph knobbs is the crime buyer for waterstones stores across the uk and, next year, will be publishing his first novel sirens under the name of joseph knox.
63 1416 526 1394 1118 1318 1314 1180 48 171 118 277 1316 627 126 817 59 1526 758 640 1207 704 564 474 1305 1255 863 1260 464 721 1316 235 1159 702 1099 936 1015 107 133 1244 795 1188 308 88 994