I always hate when I pick up a book and start reading it, then realize I've actually read the book before. The Postman Always Rings Twice was one of those books that I recently did that with. It definitely wasn't because it was a bad book though. Maybe it was just because there was no postman anywhere in the book, who knows. Apparently the title refers to waiting for the postman to deliver news on Cain's first manuscript according to the preface of Double Indemnity.
But after reading the first paragraph I realized that I already had read the book, but it's a short book, and well worth the second read. Frank Chambers is the young drifter who stops to work at a diner owned by Nick. Frank falls for Nick's wife Cora, and they decide to murder Nick.
There is a lot of story told in the short 116 pages. In fact, after reading this book I can't help but think how bloated other books seem in comparison. Maybe some of those 350-400 page books could take a lessen from Cain and cut out some of the extra parts that add little value to the overall story.
Short, intense, and well written.
My rating: 4 1/2 stars
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