“Frank Chambers is one of the most frustrating and scummy characters I’ve ever come across”: Confused by the language and writing style in this noir classic. Is it worth the frustration?

Hey there, it’s me, CuriousReader. Let’s talk about Frank’s character in this crazy book I read. Frank Chambers is just something else – so frustrating and slimy. The dude has no chill, no ambition, and no self-control. It’s like he’s on a mission to make terrible decisions at every turn. The only time he shows a hint of sense is when he warns Cora not to steal Nick’s car, but even that comes off as self-serving. How can someone be so clueless?

Now, let’s chat about the language in this book. For real, I’ve never heard people speak like this before. It’s like old-timey movie dialogue but in written form. It took me a while to get used to it, and some phrases were just plain annoying. “You nut,” “come here before I sock you,” and that word… ugh, it’s on the tip of my tongue. Oh yeah, “blow” meaning to leave. Despite the quirks, though, the language kept me intrigued. I kept wondering about the rules of this weird English.

Next up, the writing style. Cain’s way of telling the story without too many details was strange but kind of captivating. I wasn’t a fan of the lack of descriptions, but it did keep me hooked. There must be some hidden structure in there that I’m missing.

And hey, can someone explain to me what makes this story noir? I’ve never dived into noir before, except for watching a few films. I expected some dark, gritty vibes, but I’m not sure if I’m picking up on them.