Robert Polito Boeken

"This adventurous volume, with its companion devoted to the 1950s, presents a rich vein of modern American writing too often neglected in mainstream literary histories. Evolving out of the terse and violent hardboiled style of the pulp magazines, noir fiction expanded over the decades into a varied and innovative body of writing. Tapping deep roots in the American literary imagination, the novels in this volume explore themes of crime, guilt, deception, obsessive passion, murder, and the disintegrating psyche. With visionary and often subversive force they create a dark and violent mythology out of the most commonplace elements of modern life. The raw power of their vernacular style has profoundly influenced contemporary American culture and writing. Far from formulaic, they are ambitious works which bend the rules of genre fiction to their often experimental purposes."--BOOK JACKET

The book delves into Thompson's complex relationships, particularly with his father, a fallen sheriff, and the women who inspired both his love and his darker narratives. It explores themes of addiction, censorship, and the influence of Hollywood on his work. Through a blend of empathy and unflinching honesty, it illuminates the more shadowy aspects of human nature, making it a poignant tribute to a distinctive American voice. Accompanied by 57 photographs, it offers a rich visual context to Thompson's life and art.

This title, first published in 1987, comprises of three essays which examine Lord Byron¿s poetry. Some of Byron¿s most famous poems are examined, including Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. This title will be of interest to students of literature.