I bought this trade paperback at a local B&N today, with an eye towards a themed release of some kind. I've loved the classic 1944 Billy Wilder film version for years, and am curious to know whether it was at all faithful to the book. [I recently read Cain's Mildred Pierce, also the source of a classic film, and found that there were some surprising differences!]

Later: Great story! Oh, there are some differences, mostly at the end, but the main plot, characters, and much of the dialogue is the same: skilled, successful insurance salesman tempted by the wife of a prospective customer into committing murder - complications ensue... The tension, the twists and turns - it's all there. And while I loved the way the film ended, I have to admit that there's considerable noirish charm in the book's version.

"That's all it takes, one drop of fear, to curdle love into hate."

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I've added this book to the re-start of teeney's book-to-movie bookbox (see forum post here). [The original box seems to have stalled on its way to me; now that I've re-started the box maybe the other one will turn up!]

This bookbox should use the existing mailing order from this forum post for the hops after me; I'm sending it on its way to Cyber-Librarian in NC. Enjoy!

I caught this book in teeney's book-to-movie bookbox ... for the movie/book project that my sister and I are doing.

I finished reading this book today. It was an interesting murder/crime story ... however not quite as good as Cain's other novel. I thought it would be a simple murder than court case to solve who did it. But it proceeded along differently than I expected, and then even ended more unexpectedly yet. I look forward to watching the Oscar best picture nominee movie.

Caught at the Wake County (NC) Library book sale today. Saw the BC sticker on the spine and could not resist. I expect to read this in the coming year and will find a new home for it.

Interesting read in one afternoon. I've never seen the movie so I really can't make a comparison.

You have found a traveling book. You may leave a journal entry (anonymously, if you wish) to let me know that you have found this book. Check back in later to let us know what you thought of the book and if you plan on passing it on or 'releasing it back into the wild'.