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theeclecticreview's review against another edition
5.0
"Why did you kill her?"
"They shoot horses don't they?"
The beginning of this short story describes a man being sentenced to death for the murder of a woman. The story then explains the events that lead up to the murder which begins with a grueling dance marathon lasting for several days. A very well written story that keeps the tension mounting to the end.
"They shoot horses don't they?"
The beginning of this short story describes a man being sentenced to death for the murder of a woman. The story then explains the events that lead up to the murder which begins with a grueling dance marathon lasting for several days. A very well written story that keeps the tension mounting to the end.
tristansreadingmania's review against another edition
4.0
* Read from LOA's exquisite [b:Crime Novels: American Noir of the 1930s & 40s|166915|Crime Novels American Noir of the 1930s & 40s|Robert Polito|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1388382956s/166915.jpg|161188] edition*
Horace McCoy's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is a bleak, tautly written existential noir text which wouldn't look out of place in Arthur Schopenhauer's personal library. I imagine the old fellow perusing it with a satisfied grin on his face. It's his philosophy's perfect expression in many ways.
The novel takes place during the dance marathon craze of the 1930's. Impoverished, often mentally broken proletarian dancing couples were drawn to its promise of food and shelter for the duration of the competition (which often ran up to a thousand hours) and a substantial sum of money in case of a win. This, however, often came with a heavy price. Health risks were enormous, and the presence of dangerous criminal elements within or on the perifery, made it a hazardous enterprise. McCoy's extensive, lurid description of this -to me, formerly unknown -world is quite excellent.
The two protagonists of this drama couldn't be any more dissimilar. Gloria is an unabashed, rather coarse pessimist that toys with the idea of suicide on a near permanent basis, while occasionaly making the case for antinatalism (one scene involves her trying to persuade a fellow contestant to abort her baby). Not exactly the makings of an ideal conversationalist, to say the least. Her dancing partner and philosophical opponent Robert, who just tries to eke out a living, has the frustrating, self-imposed task of keeping her alive for as long as possible.
As in all noir, they are both ruined from the very start. Finally granting her wish with a gunshot to his partner's head, he fails at the latter, and dooms himself in the process. Slim piece of fiction, but one which packs quite a punch.
Horace McCoy's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" is a bleak, tautly written existential noir text which wouldn't look out of place in Arthur Schopenhauer's personal library. I imagine the old fellow perusing it with a satisfied grin on his face. It's his philosophy's perfect expression in many ways.
The novel takes place during the dance marathon craze of the 1930's. Impoverished, often mentally broken proletarian dancing couples were drawn to its promise of food and shelter for the duration of the competition (which often ran up to a thousand hours) and a substantial sum of money in case of a win. This, however, often came with a heavy price. Health risks were enormous, and the presence of dangerous criminal elements within or on the perifery, made it a hazardous enterprise. McCoy's extensive, lurid description of this -to me, formerly unknown -world is quite excellent.
The two protagonists of this drama couldn't be any more dissimilar. Gloria is an unabashed, rather coarse pessimist that toys with the idea of suicide on a near permanent basis, while occasionaly making the case for antinatalism (one scene involves her trying to persuade a fellow contestant to abort her baby). Not exactly the makings of an ideal conversationalist, to say the least. Her dancing partner and philosophical opponent Robert, who just tries to eke out a living, has the frustrating, self-imposed task of keeping her alive for as long as possible.
As in all noir, they are both ruined from the very start. Finally granting her wish with a gunshot to his partner's head, he fails at the latter, and dooms himself in the process. Slim piece of fiction, but one which packs quite a punch.
kokechii's review against another edition
4.0
The movie once meant something special to me, so reading the book this late in my life sits differently. But the general thought is still there, in the back of my mind. The bleakness of it and the utter despair is still suffocating, even written.
lilyaulait's review against another edition
5.0
Very fast read. I really liked the style. It was dark & didn’t mince words & had a cool time structure. The premise was also just insane to imagine. I would certainly die on the dancefloor. Can’t wait to watch the film.
elladensnella's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
alvamalmstrom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crowmass's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0