Dixie Noir Book

Wikipedia defines 'Noir Fiction' as "Hardboiled crime fiction is a literary style distinguished by an unsentimental portrayal of crime, violence, and sex."

Otter Penzler of The Huffington Post states "I am constantly baffled by the fact that a huge number of those readers don't seem to know what noir fiction is"

and

"Look, noir is about losers. The characters in these existential, nihilistic tales are doomed. They may not die, but they probably should, as the life that awaits them is certain to be so ugly, so lost and lonely, that they'd be better off just curling up and getting it over with. And, let's face it, they deserve it. "

Allan Guthrie (???) lists what he considers to be some of the best noir fiction:

BRAIN GUY Benjamin Appel
DOUBLE INDEMNITY James M Cain
KISS THE BLOOD OFF MY HANDS Gerald Butler
THE BROTHERHOOD OF VELVET David Karp
HOME IS THE SAILOR Day Keene
WAKE UP TO MURDER Day Keene
IF THE COFFIN FITS Day Keene
THE DAMNED John D MacDonald
THE KILLER INSIDE ME Jim Thompson
YOU'LL GET YOURS Thomas Wills
NOTORIOUS Day Keene
THERE WAS A CROOKED MAN Day Keene
HOMICIDAL LADY Day Keene
THE SEARCHERS Alan Le May
ROGUE COP William P McGivern
THE BROTHERS RICO Georges Simenon
BLOOD MERIDIAN Cormac McCarthy
SHOCK CORRIDOR Michael Avallone
THE GRIFTERS Jim Thompson
GOODNIGHT MOOM Jack MacLane

And so on…. (if you want the full list: )

I have read maybe 3 from his list of 200. I don't remember them. I've seen more film adaptations (maybe a dozen) and I sort of get it. The definition of what 'noir' is but I really never gave a thought to it being a genre. This is my ignorance, I accept it. (You have to admit that some of those are 'first-rate' titles, though.)

So, knowing this…. I delved into Dixie Noir. As I've made clear (I hope)--This is not my usual literary fodder and I went into this knowingly. Kirk, I find it easier to just address this review to you… Let's begin.

This is a story about Ennis Skinner (Q.1: Is it E-nis like The Dukes of Hazzard or Eh-nis, like Dennis without the D,Kirk? I read it like Enis… if it's wrong, it may actually change my whole opinion of this character.. Names are important) who definitely fits the above definition. He is a L-O-S-E-R. -- Beck's got nothing on this guy. What I'm not used to though, and what won my heart, is that he steps up and owns it. He's all about making amends and shit. He knows that he's fucked up and has adopted the motto 'Do No Bad'-- that's awesome. Seriously, who doesn't look to blame someone for the urine stained deck of nudie cards he's been dealt?

"I've grown up since the last time. Your line of sight changes when you look at thing with a higher moral eye. I'm still getting used to the angles up here."

I love this line.

So, Ennis is just a baby doll in my eyes. He really can't do no wrong in my world. THIS might have been a problem for the plot. I mean, I think that you're meant to feel for him and all that, but I just wanted to take him home and make him a cup of hot chocolate and tell him he can live rent free with me until he gets back on his feet. I'd totally enable him. (Q2: This isn't what you were looking for in a reader--were you, Kirk?)

I do have an issue with thinking that the characters in these types of book act and speak like this. I had to re-read passages so that I could digest the content and not just revel in the gangsta speak. I also became distracted (in a good way) with all the nicknames: Bubba, His Boy Elroy, Twitchy, Red, Treadface, High C, Wookie…Easy Bake Ovens-- (Q.3: Do you all really use nicknames for everyone? If so, please share…)

Your use of similes made me giggle. "I was having so much fun egging her on I decided to egg harder. I wanted to embellish those eggs like it was the night before Easter."

Your description of two meth heads enthralled in the act of love was both disturbing and mesmerizing:

"As the rush overtook her, Faye closed her eyes and started rubbing the spot where I had slammed her--"slamming" being junkie lingo for shooting. She rubbed more and more vigorously until she finally looked like a carpenter trying to sand down a bump. Maybe that's what she was doing; the spot was engorged, after all. One peculiar side effect of meth is that it plumps up this particular part o the female anatomy. By this time in our lived Faye's particular part had taken so many direct hits that it bulged like a blueberry."

"We kissed, and a bit of acrid spittle passed from her mouth into mine. I attributed that taste to the lithium we stripped from batteries to cook our meth. We both stank of ammonia."

Hypnotic.

I love how you weave the history of Montgomery throughout the story. The locations… the speeches…the protests…. Is that how it really is down there? It seems like you're (almost) defined by your history. I'm used to growing up around historical areas and such, but I don't believe it's ever encompassed me the way it does with your characters. It gave them another dimension… You're going to hate me for this one, Kirk. I thought 'Mobile' instead of 'Montgomery'--- All this time, I think I thought you lived in Mobile. I'm so sorry. Montgomery seems awesome, by the way.

I also have to say that I usually pride myself with figuring out the twist in movies and books. It made me feel more clever than the writers. I know, it's all formulaic, but it was something. I should have known it wouldn't be the case here… you stumped me, Kirk… I was blindsided. You got me.

Thank you for letting me experience this. I have really enjoyed reading your work. We've known each other, virtually, for about 3 years now and it's such a delight to see your personality emerge in these characters. It's a rare opportunity for a reader to have that insight. Now, if you can just forgive me the Mobile switchup…

Save Me the Waffles, Kirkley… ♥