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thekarpuk's review
4.0
There's a certain perception of crime fiction that "Black Friday" didn't at all live up to. Normally these stories either feature a detective, a former detective, or someone with a gritty but righteous outlook who has to get his (and it's always a he) hands dirty in order to combat a world full of corrupt men.
David Goodis sucks the heroism right out of scenario. The main character is on the run right from the get go; cold, starving, desperate, and out of options. He falls in with a group of criminals essentially out of a lack of options.
A number of striking characters emerge in this lean little book, all with an impressive amount of depth and with moments of surprising poeticism. Most of the cast are living out small, sad lives, and the notion of any greater importance is only ever suggested.
There's a since of dread that hangs over the story, and from the first chapter I had the feeling that no matter the outcome, things would not end well.
The slim $4 edition of "Black Friday" suggested an old-timey, salacious crime drama, and while I like those, the discovery of a tragedy centering around a group of low-level hoodlums and their meager lives is a much more rewarding find.
David Goodis sucks the heroism right out of scenario. The main character is on the run right from the get go; cold, starving, desperate, and out of options. He falls in with a group of criminals essentially out of a lack of options.
A number of striking characters emerge in this lean little book, all with an impressive amount of depth and with moments of surprising poeticism. Most of the cast are living out small, sad lives, and the notion of any greater importance is only ever suggested.
There's a since of dread that hangs over the story, and from the first chapter I had the feeling that no matter the outcome, things would not end well.
The slim $4 edition of "Black Friday" suggested an old-timey, salacious crime drama, and while I like those, the discovery of a tragedy centering around a group of low-level hoodlums and their meager lives is a much more rewarding find.
illyanarasputin's review
3.0
The titular novella is pretty fantastic, the short stories that follow are only okay IMO. Readable, but there are better pulp short stories online.
faeden's review
4.0
When I read these old stories with misogynistic tendencies, I have to work to look past those things in order to appreciate the writing. That being said, I really enjoyed this writing. While pretty corny at times, I find Goodis's style delightful. I appreciated his dark and twisted insertions.
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