Let us begin with Mr. Cain and his school. The Postman Always Rings Twice came out in 1934; and Mr. Cain's second novel, Serenade, in 1937. They were followed by other similar novels which apparently derived from Mr. Cain. The whole group stemmed originally from Hemingway, but it was Hemingway turned picaresque; and it had its connections also with the new school of mystery writers of the type of Dashiell Hammett.
Mr. Cain remained the best of these novelists. (pp. 19-20)
This is a free excerpt of 80 words. There are 672 words (approx.
2 pages at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Cain, James M(allahan) 1892–1977: Critical Essay by Edmund Wilson Access Pass.
