Koala Kumal by Raditya Dika

He is my favourite Indonesian comedian! I prefer reading his jokes and anecdotes to listening to his stand-up sessions, though. I just cannot see the beauty of stand-up comedies. So far I've only watched Indonesian ones. Perhaps I should give the ones from other countries a whirl.

So after a wait that feels almost eternal (four? five? six years? I honestly cannot remember) I was ecstatic upon learning that he published a new book! Oh. YAY! The title is as usual, distinctive.

At least two hours of fun!

And so, I read it and the same thought occurred over and over again.

Dude just, I don't know, six, seven years older than me, tops? And he swims in money (at least that's how it looks, I mean, frequent hang out at malls? Kemang? Eating those GODDAMNED SHIOYAKIS?).*

Dreaming away and wept

And I also feel that the tone is more mature and serious. He seems very self-examining, without sacrificing the funny, in some parts. Good for him, bad for me because I do not want to thiiiink. I want a book equivalent to candy floss, not a fancy hundred-courses French meal, for example. I was waiting so enthusiastically for his books because his books for my brain is like Bailey's Irish Cream for my soul.** In the end, he admitted that there is a theme for every stories in Koala Kumal.

It is loss. And how to deal with losses.

I was silent for a while after reading that. 

This book cannot come in a more perfect moment. I felt severe, profound loss at that time. I cried my eyes out on the daily basis. After waking up, during the day, before going to bed, during bathing - in short, all the freaking time. My eyes were swollen all the time. But of course everybody is busy, admittedly with far more important thing than me.*** But then, came toddling along this book. This book made me laugh. Made me forget about my loss. Lifted some of the stress. Thanks, Raditya Dika.

I think I'll give this nine out of ten stars. Why not the perfect score? Because of the mature tone. Sorry! 
______________________________________________________________________________

*Yes, I mull about money a lot. Sorry, Saint Timothy. Like a computer, there's a part of my brain dedicated solely for thinking about that thing. How to spend less and to obtain it. Let's just say it's fortunate for me and my family (core and extended) that I spent twelve years in a Catholic school and I don't remotely look like Dian Sastrowardoyo (for you Indonesians who will certainly get the reference!) or Jessica Alba.

**Oh. Bailey's...

***Losing me has more pros than cons, at least to the world in general and my family. Less mouth to feed, less land to spare (for housing, etc.), less water will be used, one less fertile female to populate the cramped world.

時間とお金があったら、この小説を読む

The barriers between me and reading them are my mood and the availability of time and filthy, filthy lucre. To make matters more complicated, most are series.

• Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
  I am a sucker for repentant douchebags. Especially if the said douchebag looks like...

  

  Thanks for existing in this world!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  I really want to read all the Gossip Girl books and watch all the episodes in the TV show. From what I know from Wikipedia, the storyline differs between the novels and the show. Yeah, I've got a shitload of spoilers from Wikipedia, but I still want to read the books and watch the show. I'm odd that way.
  
  
• Mortal Instruments (and Infernal Devices) series by Cassandra Clare
  The movie adaptation admittedly is not that impressive. But at least it has Cersei Lannister, hot version of Henry VIII, and Jamie Campbell Bower. It makes the movie redeemable. This series has been marked as 'nothing special YA series', 'so similar with others', yadda yadda. But still. I kind of want to read them.
  
  
  

  

  I totally did not lie, I kid you not! See? See? See?
  
  

• Mortdecai by Kyril Bonfiglio
  Found them during a stroll in 神保町 with a particularly やさしい boy (yes, you - who else?) in a bookstore that carries a lot of foreign books. Hooked on the name (Mort-decai) and premise (seemingly silly, incompetent PI).
  
  
• The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
  Because I love reading about charming sociopaths.
  

Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jennifer Lancaster

Hiya!
Updating my blog this frequently is unusual, I admit. But this is the only way to prevent me from posting:

1. Self-pitying status on either Facebook and/ or LINE (self-pitying comment has already been written - too late to do anything about that);
2. Picture containing self-pitying statement; 
3. Profanity-filled status on the two aforementioned social media;
4. Picture stating my current/ latest emotional condition (angry/ super pissed off/ worried shitless/ helpless/ desperate/ sad - yeah, no positive feeling at all. AT ALL. I almost wished my flight fell into Hindia Ocean or something. Just kidding! Just a macabre, inappropriate joke. After all, I am not nice enough to enter any version of heaven in any religion. If my heart is weighed against the feather in Egyptian version of heaven, the scale wouldn't freaking balance. The side that carries my heart will maybe just drop. I need to bank more good deeds. Heh.)
5. This

Ain't she charming?

Because every time I feel annoyed, I always post Adora or use her as my profile picture. Sorry, gal. Don't stub me with your cigarette stub. 

Or, stab me with your stiletto. I beg you, don't.

And this is also the only way to prevent me from controlling a lady named Mayberry Delancey (Mayberry Oss after marrying Edvin Oss) for THREE FREAKING STRAIGHT HOURS. 

Binge Sims 3 gaming, commence. That poor PC.

Blogging and reading a fun book are admittedly counterproductive, but they are the least counterproductive from all the activities I can choose. And I did productive things before. But, after all,  you can only have that amount of dirty dishes. And you can only eat that much before you feel full and/ or balloon. And, counterproductive as they are, at least they are good media for practicing my English.

So now, it's about the book. As you maybe have deduced from the title, this book is a light read. I don't care, judge away. I frankly prefer reading materials that entertain me, not the ones which make me seem more intellectual or whatever. This book is a sequel to Bitter is the New Black, which I have read before. I read Bright Lights because I like Bitter.

Why was I interested in Bitter in the first place?

Because of the subtitle, obviously ^^

Whoa. Carrying a Prada bag. To the unemployment office.  マジ？

After finishing reading it (didn't take a long time because Jennifer Lancaster is a very entertaining author), yes, マジ。

But I've read Bitter quite a long time ago, so I cannot really review it. On the contrary, I just finished re-reading Bright Lights recently (as recent as two-three hours before this post is published) so I am absolutely in good capacity to review it.

I like Jennifer Lancaster plenty as an author. Her tone is witty and there is enough sarcasm and dry wit in her books. Bright Lights highlighted the events after Bitter, in which their situation gets better after unemployment caused of the burst of the dot-com bubble. Bright Lights can be enjoyed as both sequel and standalone novel. After reading two novels by her (and in the middle of the third), I must say that I think Jen Lancaster's husband is either a saint or crazy about her or both. Both is very probable. 

The lifestyle you can have from a couple (whose female half working a temp job and writing and the male half working a permanent job, but not necessarily long lasting) in Chicago, Illinois, USA is very different from Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. But maybe the fact that this couple only has two human mouths to feed (not counting two dogs and three cats, if I recall correctly) also contributes to the difference. I mean, this couple can still consume lots of food I consider luxury (pork chops, liquor), buying things at IKEA, and buying new things. 

Here, in Indonesia, you are very lucky if you can still pay the taxes and mortgages and whatnot with the salary you get from that kind of job. That kind of lifestyle? Impossible. Eating outside is also ちょっとダメ as well. 

I feel a bit strange about the author's stance about her weight. I understand that inner beauty is important (But sometimes the nastiest girls get the best boys, solely because of their beauty - and that's life. Being pretty and cute is important, actually. At least, it helps. Anyone who's telling you that only inner beauty is important is either a liar or as naive as you), nobody should feel ashamed about his/ her weight, and nobody should develop bad body image. But, uhm, when well... your size keep increasing and your diet seems delicious but you rarely exercise (as in driving instead of walking a block), I think you need to watch out. Because, although Jen Lancaster maintains that her cholesterol level is fine and blood pressure is awesome and she is pretty and decked in good taste on daily basis (I don't know about the first two, but I certainly agree on the third), having that kind of weight cannot be healthy in the long run, in my opinion. As you get older, you can wave hi to your soon-to-be-仲良し - the dreaded atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes type II.

 

Chances of encounter are high!

And I am amazed on the amount and type of drugs she takes. Xanax? Zoloft (if I am not mistaken).

Let's just say that USA is a very different country, judging from this book.

But they have awesome food there. As comparison and example, I have desperately sought an affordable cheese that can melt. 

This. The only one that is available in whole country.

To no avail. Either they don't produce it anymore (PLEASE DON'T SAY THIS IS WHY I DIDN'T FIND ANY) or four stores simultaneously run out of this cheese. But I haven't tried the コンビニ, although admittedly I am pessimistic I can find it in コンビニ. If they no longer produce it, I am ちょっと fucked because that means my only options are spreadable (ProChizz, quite OK but still IT'S NOT MELTED CHEESE), no melted cheese for the rest of my life if I am trapped here, or the insanely expensive real mozzarella which retails for Rp 42.500,00 (equals 3.24 USD, 2.92 euro - dirt cheap for you, freakishly out of range for me).

In Chicago, a couple that considers themselves 'saving and broke' can still buy and consume Brie, nice take-outs, and five different kinds of nice cheese. So different. But it maybe because decent cheese is a staple there and a luxury here. I don't know.

Reading Bright Lights is very entertaining, but also makes me feel a bit bitter. Still, ten stars.

And lots of apologies if this post is not too focused.

On Marlowe, and Why I Fall in Love with Him

Phillip Marlowe is a tough-talking and clever sleuth created by Raymond Chandler, the greatest noir author ever. Hammett may be an ex-Pinkerton and one of the pioneer of the hardboiled genre, but nobody can quite match Chandler. I was charmed with him in The Big Sleep, adored him in The High Window, infatuated in Lady in the Lake, and fell with him in Little Sister. I can't imagine what I'll feel about him in The Long Goodbye.

Marlowe is hard and simple on the outside, but soft and complex inside. Many of his clients are unable to see more deeply into him. All they can see is he's a shamus for hire. But hello. How many shamus out there that can distinguish and enjoy good wine, secretly mellow inside, and can quote from literature? Not many. Only Marlowe, solely him.
He can be involved in a dangerous brawl in one night while saving a damsel. He can interact and mingle with crème de la crème quite easily. He can flirt with femme fatales well and treat the innocents with courtesy. He does not gamble and drinks occasionally for fun and not for getting black out drunk. He smokes and lives modestly, but it is okay. He is debtless and lives within his means, without being reduced to shabbiness. 

Phillip Marlowe - he is a perfect gentleman.

I have only seen one movie adaptation of Marlowe, The Big Sleep, where he was played by Humphrey Bogart. Bogart is a good choice for portraying Marlowe, I think. The gestures and that drawl are so Marlowe! And the fact that his co-star is the inimitable Bacall... It makes the movie salvageable. 

Wheee wheee wheee!

Why salvageable? The movie was unfortunately produced after the establishment of the Code, which means many details, and even story line and solution from the original novel were adapted so that they adhere to the Code. That is totally 残念and ダメ and GOD HOW IT PISSED ME OFF.

But I am born too late and too southeast to have any say in the production. So. Be. It.

So those are my reasons why I slice off a piece of my heart and bequeath it to a fictional character for keepsake. Here, I endeth my fangirling.

Credits for images (written in the sequence they appear):

• http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Books/Pix/pictures/2014/3/5/1394025956274/Lauren-Bacall-and-Humphre-009.jpg
• https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0X-f2360E5QqZwPYc_SWLDTwbQKwe3mxJmsPW4MHVjd3FXzH3w3_zwxN8kz-pDqd-h_y0tyCvBJHm4_WOSNTsbdydYQdHC6pXeb2sZU65mI6PPyPviaVEN90HgQ9CrxS-AMV6xvtzIGhu/s1600/you-guys-are-so-busted.gif

Deep Blue Goodbye by John D. MacDonald

OOOH.
I love bad boys with morals. They are the best :)

I was finishing a book by Charles Ardai, Fifty to One. This is a decent book but now I am not in the mood for reviewing it. I was pleasantly surprised upon knowing that this book was written fairly recently because the hardboiled tone is perfect. That means they still make 'em after all!

Not a scene from the novel, but still freaking awesome

Ardai is definitely in my list of to-watch authors from now on.  

Okay, back to the topic. In the postface, Ardai writes about 'mythical, legendary books people say in whispers that are probably exist'. One of them, he says, is MacDonald's Travis McGee 'black book'. That made me curious. The only books that have colour-related titles that I know are Mao's Little Red Book and the Yellow Book, an Islamic holy book, apparently. So, what's that black book and how important is it? Why the fuss? And so I decided to Google John D. MacDonald and Travis McGee. The premise hooked me immediately because I like 1. flawed heroes, 2. bastards with carefree attitude on the outside but golden hearts inside. The premise is also very similar with The Finder, a not-so-successful TV show (the characters guest-starred in one Bones episode, once) which I enjoy. 

So I got the books pretty soonish and started reading the first pretty soonish as well.

The reading experience had been enjoyable. The book proved to be a good read in almost every situations. Before going to bed, in the middle of journey when you're a passenger in either a full backseat of a car or a sleepy morning train, waiting for PCR, etc. This is not a book that makes you feel like you have to read it non-stop, but you'll also hate to just skip to the end. Deep Blue Goodbye is a darling :) a Coca Cola of book. No boring moment, the pacing is perfect, the characters are logical. Travis seems to be really charming though - almost all the ladies want to jump him, but it is a common feature from books from that period. And, I mean, from the author's skillful description, he's damn irresistible. Who can resist a tanned boy (not overtanned or something) from Florida, who can look as if he's anyone, (accountant, boat boy, salesperson, anyone), is confident without being cocky, witty, clear-headed, good with boat, a decent poker player, has good physique, can survive in almost any conditions, and can extract himself from almost any sticky conditions? Not me. I will definitely jump him as well or give him some chaste - or not so chaste - kisses. 

At least a hundred. Each time with different warpaint colour

The antagonist is a loathsome bastard. I am surprised that he can get away with his deeds for quite a long time, because his nastiness is pretty obvious. He is so awfully disgusting that it will take me some time to be able to view someone with the name Allen in a good light again. I cannot see the reason behind his crimes, though, because I cannot wrap it around my head the reason someone wants to corrupt and degrade another human so thoroughly. 

The damsels, though in great distresses, are proven to be able to hold themselves well. They got beaten, humiliated, fleeced, but in the end, it is proven that without them McGee's accomplishment will not be as good and smoothly achieved. Not all of them get the happy endings, which makes the story feel more realistic. 

If you love hardboiled genre but want to read one set not in a Windy City or any city full of smokes, gutters, rainy days, and whatnot, the Travis McGee series is a good choice. 

I'm willing to bestow it 10 stars. Just because.

Romance Novels and Stockholm Syndrome

These few days, I went both on binge eating and binge reading. Both affected my mental and physical health in no-good way. I'll exclusively talk about the latter in this post.

I indulged myself with romance novels, mainly Harlequin. I selected them based on how interesting are their premises from the synopsis in Goodreads and the comments by their readers. Here are some of them.

My book selections. Judge away, I bow my head in shame.

I can hear what you're thinking just from seeing the titles and covers. A loud WHAT and DIRTY BOOKS! and TACKY! Well, this is why they are called guilty pleasure. I know too much of them are bad and too early when you first exposed to this genre is bad too. I feel ashamed to have read these books, but some days when I need something light, happy-ever-after guaranteed, and can make me roll my eyes in 1. disbelief, 2. disgust, 3. mockery, I'll read them. The aftertaste is 1. sated after fulfilling my binge, 2. ASHAMED, and 3. guilty. But enough of that.

I am seeing a disturbing theme serving as universal backbone to some of these books... The Stockholm syndrome, where a dominant male swept into the female protagonist life, both forcefully and unwanted, did nasty things to her, and got her love and devotion forever after. Ouch. These books set women emancipation movement far backward into Victorian era. Let's review some of them by the level of godawfulness.

3. The Highest Stakes of All

In The Highest Stakes of All, we are presented with a dangerously irresponsible father, his beautiful young adult daughter (who is afraid to defy her father unhealthy policies with her far sounder opinions) as heroine, and the hero with perfect physical description and of course an old baggage burdened upon him by some woman from his past. This book is highly disturbing. First, the father is practically peddled his daughter as 'attention diverter' in his globetrotting poker games. I'm speechless. How can a father allow, even ask his daughter wearing revealing clothes? If I wore clothes like she wore in the book, my father will lock me. Then, the grandest bad fatherly act ever... Betting his daughter against five hundred thousand pounds (if I recall the currency correctly). 

Wikimedia Commons

Like this, but instead of chips, a living, breathing human being.

And of course, he lost. Being both a gentleman and coward, he surrendered his bet - the daughter.

The 19 year old daughter is bestowed with every winning features a mortal can have. Killer physique and inherently nice heart, almost a Snow White-like character. So sweet. But there is something wrong in her brain circuit. She whines about how she hates her current state of life as accessory in her father's dealings, but she doesn't do a thing. It's not like she doesn't have any other choice. She can easily contact her aunt and uncle in UK and ask them to bring her home, closer to college life she badly wants. Instead, she chooses to follow her father, bows to his dangerous schemes. It only takes ONE call, but she doesn't make it. She trusts her father will protect her from any sticky situation because he has extracted her from one. One good deed against a long tallies of godawful deeds? One good deed wins. And at the gambling table? No better. No better. It just takes a NO and a scream like, "NO, NO I AM TOTALLY NOT THIS CREEP'S TROPHY GIRLFRIEND. Worse than that, I'm his daughter." But she doesn't do that. Oh, no. Unfortunately, her tongue is tied at that moment. And so she is whisked against her will by her father's opponent to the millionaire's private island. 

Being a Harlequin, the opponent is a handsome, perfectly sculpted Greek (I don't know why Harlequin authors are so crazy with Greek, Spanish, and Italian heroes) millionaire, age not mentioned. In the midst of Greece economic crisis, it's difficult to believe that there still is Greek millionaire left. The millionaire has painstakingly tracked the father-daughter duo for revenge. In his admirable tracking, he neglects to ascertain two vital things, namely 1. the real relationship between the femme fatale he deems responsible for the crime he avenges and the elderly gentleman who is the real criminal and 2. the age of the femme fatale. 1 and 2 will be vital to the storyline and overall icky factor. He eagerly executes his revenge (before checking the daughter's ID - I don't know why he can be and stay a millionaire with mind like that) with the threat of kidnapping and rape charge looms high for him. Then he realizes his horrible mistake. Essentially, the first sex the millionaire has with the daughter is rape, because she's unwilling. It feels creepy because he seems far older than the daughter. After the rape, does the daughter threaten to sue or ask him to return her to her stable relatives? Nah. She longs for the millionaire, she has no will whatsoever to escape. Especially after she found a helpless cute girl (later in storyline we'll learn that she's the millionaire's daughter but he doubts her legitimacy) and acts nanny to her. When the chance to leave the millionaire comes, she refuses to go because it means jumping from the frying pan into the fire or whatsoever (in this thing, I completely agree with her decision, seeing how awful her stepmother is). This is the rare occasion when her brain works as it should be. She and the millionaire admits their love to one another, with plans for marriage seriously considered.

What I learn: you can fall in love with your rapist, and it's totally OK. But only if he is loaded, handsome, perfectly sculpted, and all that blah. Your rapist too, can fall in love with you until he cannot wait to make your commitment more permanent. You should not try to escape with any method, although you totally deserve your freedom.

2. The Greek's Forced Bride

If you are a normal human being, the title should make you wince. Nobody likes to force-marry someone. To lay the bare outline, our heroine, Natasha, catches her fiance in the midst of the act with her sister. The other witness is her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Leo (another Greek millionaire - in the midst of Greece economic crisis they seem to be a thriving breed), who almost precedes her in barraging Natasha's fiance office to kick his ass for siphoning company cash. Natasha runs away and loses her self-control and cool logic. Leo catches up with her. What happens next is the classic semi-abduction (I don't wanna go with him, but I can't see another solution, besides, he's so persuasive...). Leo has lusted after Natasha since the engagement between Natasha and his stepbrother is still well and good. Natasha reluctantly reciprocated after being kissed, fondled, and everything that can be counted as sexual assault. Then of course the stepbrother and sister strike back, leaves Natasha with gold digger mark and no choice beside marrying Leo.

Sigh. Fortunately, this book isn't so rampant with Stockholm syndrome, at least not as awful as the previous book. Although whisked you away forcefully when you are a damsel in considerable distress and unstable condition is a nasty thing to do. What if the whisker is insane/ deranged/ dangerous criminal hidden behind the perfect smooth facade as a millionaire? After all, Natasha barely knows Leo. She is just being engaged for several months and only communicates with Leo in soon-to-be-in-law capacity before that. 

What I learn: again, Greek millionaire isn't a dying breed. It doesn't count as sexual assault if your body respond well and the one doing the assault is one sexy hot-blooded Greek millionaire.

1. Savage Surrender

Our heroine, Sophie, is adorable in the beginning. She is quick-witted and sharp-tongued. Clever and cool-headed, too. She literally stumbles into fortune one rainy day. She gets a position boost, from a lowly employee to private secretary to the Greece-based mother of the company owner. I usually dislike sheer luck, but this time, I'll forgive it. Then comes her son into the picture. Alex is a womanizer who apparently doesn't understand the meaning of word no and so confident of himself that he unable to comprehend that, yeah, not every heterosexual/ bisexual woman can be charmed by you, asshole. So he keeps on trying to get Sophie. With charm. When charm fails, he tries harassment, which elicits firmer rejection. But he keeps on trying. And when Sophie flirts lightly with his friend, he roars with illogical jealousy. Sophie, of course, fights back. And he keeps silent for awhile.

But then a minor earthquake rocks the island. Sophie's employer decides they should go to England and tells Sophie it will be okay if she sees her family. She agrees, albeit reluctantly. The thought of comes back home revives old memories. Then Alex tries to seduce her again in a very inopportune time. The bane of Harlequin heroines, BODY RESPONSE, befalls her because of the desire for her lover she has locked away for 5 years starts to trickle back. Alex goes away smugly, believes that he wins Sophie.

From http://sunflowerfieldsawards.com/

  Yep, won like a trophy.

Sophie goes home, becomes a nervous wreck, anticipates to see her old flame (which becomes her old flame while he's still married - hello adultery!). Alex follows her and of course successfully finds her and wiggles to be her companion to a party that is hosted by her old flame and his completely nasty, without-redeeming-inner-beauty-whatsoever bitch of wife. Sophie kisses her old flame passionately in the hidden place. Only it isn't too hidden because Mrs. Old Flame sees them and Alex too. Alex gets worked out and declares that he will marry Sophie. Sophie refuses. Alex forces her. Sophie, afraid to be outed as 'the other woman', agrees very reluctantly (although Mrs. Old Flame is very promiscuous it is highly unlikely that people will blame Mr. Old Flame if he commits adultery, although the adultery is first committed when Sophie was 18 and Mr. Old Flame... 33. Barely legal). Sophie becomes very passive and apparently loses her wits. I became fed up and skipped. And found, surprise, surprise, Alex slaps Sophie. During honeymoon, no less. Sweet. And yes, Alex gets what he wants, sex with Sophie, with Sophie acts totally passive because she still doesn't want him, which makes it non-consensual, which makes it rape. And during the act Sophie is presented with the 'triumph glittering in Alex's eyes'. Sophie's passiveness is zombie-like, which indicates that she is very probable depressed. In this point, I felt my stomach lurched with disgust. But then, comes the BODY RESPONSE. And Alex acts real attentive when she is sick. Sophie then realizes she loves Alex. I almost vomited. Then Sophie receives a news that makes her to go home in hurry while Alex is away on business trip. She goes home, meets the old flame, old flame tries to kiss her and accidentally witnessed by Alex, who must be 1. eagle-eyed or 2. voyeuristic if it is about Sophie. Another misunderstanding. Then love declaration and big happy ending.

This book is a rapist apology, to quote one comment at Goodreads. I cannot support Sophie and Alex to be united because 1. Alex is a bastard who tries to make Sophie jealous by seducing his friend's sister (completely fails, of course), the seduction isn't only comprised by kiss and adoring words, which makes him a heartless bastard; and 2. Alex harasses Sophie sexually and finally rapes her. By supporting their relationship, it means that the reader justifies the rape and harassment, which no sane woman will support. This book is a very clear example of Stockholm syndrome because Alex rapes and is very nasty toward Sophie, yet Sophie falls for him. 

What I learn: the same with the previous two books.

Will somebody writes a good Harlequin with empowering moral lesson? As for those books and their comrades with similar storyline...

Double Indemnity

Lately, I am hooked to noir and hardboiled. I love noirs... especially the ones set in the 1920's. They are from different era when guys called women 'dame'. They are awesome. They sweep me away.This book is touted as one monumental noir novel, and its author (James M. Cain) as a highly influential person to noir development. I made a resolution to read this book when the right moment come. It came around two days ago. I devoured it instantly. I enjoy it thoroughly.The narration is done by an insurance agent who has a funny name, Walter Huff. Mr. Huff as a nickname is pretty funny, it sounds like sound that you make when you puff. The narration is fast-paced and built with the signature diction of noir. It is gritty. It is dark and self-examining.So, what is double indemnity? 

dou·ble in·dem·ni·ty

noun

NORTH AMERICAN

1. provision for payment of double the face amount of an insurance policy under certain conditions, e.g., when death occurs as a result of an accident.
2. 
   
3. This term is very relevant in this book, in fact, it's one of the main characters motive, beside lust. In the beginning, we are introduced to an insurance salesman doing his usual routine. Walter Huff tried to sell a policy renewal to his client, a Mr. Nirdlinger. However, he wasn't home when Walter paid him a visit. Walter seemed like an OK guy, a regular joe. But then he met a woman that will change his life and dirty his hands, Phyllis Nirdlinger. This is the exact moment when his moral is tested. And he failed the test. This moment makes me wondering. If you know that someone plan a homicide, why don't you prevent it? Are lust and money so big a temptation? I mean, Walter's life is plain, but it isn't dull. He can assess people well - it's one of his asset - and he enjoys selling insurance policies, which are exciting for him. He is good. It's a respectable life, he isn't a beggar. Is it possible to want someone so much after your first meeting that you decide to risk everything you have? When I read this book further, I feel that the two characters who conspire to take another human being life are so disconnected and distant. I mean, well... taking someone's life is a huge sin, morally and religiously. It will need a huge temptation to do the aforementioned act. But I didn't sense that Walter is tempted enough. It feels so insignificant compared with other things that he had already had.
4. 
   
5. Then Phyllis. She is first shown as a woman with a plan, then a willing accomplice in adultery and marricide, then later we learn that she is really crazy. The crazy talk she said at the beginning? Totally not an act. She is also more... ahem, experienced than Walter. Let's say that poor Walter should have done a more complete background check about his soon-to-be partner in crime. I dislike her depiction as a crazy woman, because it feels incongruous with her former acts. They were coldly and logically calculated.
7. The biggest irony in this book is when Walter tried to be a teacher in Murder 101, the pupil was more experienced. And Phyllis fared better when her acts were one-woman-acts. When a new partner was introduced, it was proven to be a big, fatal failure. A real pity, Phyllis.
8. 
   
9. 

And Walter? WRONGEST DECISION EVER, dearie.

See?

There are several memorable quotes in this book. I'll give you two.

I had killed a man, for money and a woman. I didn't have the money and I didn't have the woman. 

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