Books like Roughneck by Jim Thompson
Roughneck offers a personal glimpse into Jim Thompson’s restless career, following him through the Great Depression, his early adult years, and the varied jobs he held—including baker, collector, and WPA labor‑history writer.
Throughout the memoir Thompson recounts the turbulent, often humorous scenes that influenced his fiction, from his time on the rails to his work in a morgue and his encounters with unconventional companions.
The book presents a candid, sharp character study of both Thompson himself and the diverse, lowlife figures that populated his narrative world, underscoring the authenticity behind his renowned noir voice.
First publish date: 1954
Genre: Mystery & Detective/Historical Mystery
Authors: Jim Thompson
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