Akashic Books Noir Series. Which are your favorites?
April 21, 2012 1:18 AM
Akashic Books Noir Series. Which are your favorites?
Each book is an anthology of original short stories. It looks like they've published over fifty volumes. I find they differ greatly in style and overall quality of writing. It makes sense... each anthology has its own editor.
I'd like to read the volumes that have the best quality writing, and are the most fun. Here's what I've read so far, in most favored order:
New Jersey Noir -- With Joyce Carol Oates as editor, quality is excellent. Diversity of styles and voices. This anthology includes art and poems amid the short stories. Emphasis on diabolical and quirky. Good dark humor. Oates' introduction is wonderful.
Richmond Noir -- I've never been to Richmond. This book made me want to visit, but also scared to visit. The book gave me a vivid picture of the gritty sides of the city. Very good writing. Many of the stories are fun. Some are chilling.
Phoenix Noir -- The writers and editors communicate a love for Phoenix, with its heat and banality and transience. Well-executed writing. I enjoyed threads of wry humor throughout the book.
Seattle Noir -- I liked a couple of the stories. Many of them bored me. Writing quality ranged from good to ok. Not enough fun.
Toronto Noir -- Just started reading this one. I loved one story: "A Bout of Regret" by Michael Redhill. Other stories have a naval-gazing quality. More about the interior lives of the protagonists, than about noir events in Toronto. I've read about 1/3 of the stories and I'm thinking about quitting this book.
Which book should I read next?
New Jersey Noir -- With Joyce Carol Oates as editor, quality is excellent. Diversity of styles and voices. This anthology includes art and poems amid the short stories. Emphasis on diabolical and quirky. Good dark humor. Oates' introduction is wonderful.
Richmond Noir -- I've never been to Richmond. This book made me want to visit, but also scared to visit. The book gave me a vivid picture of the gritty sides of the city. Very good writing. Many of the stories are fun. Some are chilling.
Phoenix Noir -- The writers and editors communicate a love for Phoenix, with its heat and banality and transience. Well-executed writing. I enjoyed threads of wry humor throughout the book.
Seattle Noir -- I liked a couple of the stories. Many of them bored me. Writing quality ranged from good to ok. Not enough fun.
Toronto Noir -- Just started reading this one. I loved one story: "A Bout of Regret" by Michael Redhill. Other stories have a naval-gazing quality. More about the interior lives of the protagonists, than about noir events in Toronto. I've read about 1/3 of the stories and I'm thinking about quitting this book.
Which book should I read next?
Both New Orleans Noir and Twin Cities Noir were really good examples of the series (and offer interesting contrasts in setting and mood when read back to back).
posted by Bourbonesque at 7:30 AM on April 21, 2012
posted by Bourbonesque at 7:30 AM on April 21, 2012
It's been a while since I looked at Akashic's Noir series, but I remember enjoying Manhattan Noir, edited by Lawrence Block and Wall Street Noir edited by Peter Spiegelman.
posted by dortmunder at 7:31 AM on April 21, 2012
posted by dortmunder at 7:31 AM on April 21, 2012
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posted by sonic meat machine at 4:21 AM on April 21, 2012