Edited by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
An early-reviewers copy via LibraryThing.com
This collection of short noir fiction dealing with the underbelly of Singapore
did not meet my expectations. I liked certain aspects found within some of the
stories and a few that, in their entirety, were okay. Yet most did not possess
the literary aptitude I anticipated. I was never fully engaged by these stories
because I was constantly distracted by the below average to average structural
quality and character development. Much of the writing was prosaic and felt
unnatural. I had looked forward to that gritty, hypnotic narrative prevalent in
the noir genre. Instead, I was extremely underwhelmed and
disappointed.
Akashic Books has published a number of books under the
Noir series. I read Boston Noir when it was first published, and if I remember
accurately, I enjoyed stories by David Foster Wallace, Joyce Carol Oates, Andre
Dubus, and authors of similar literary strengths. It was because of this book
that I requested Singapore Noir from LibraryThing Early Reviwer's program. I mention this because one book can lead a
person towards or away from additional books within a series. Had Singapore been
my first Noir read, I would never have looked at another from this series. As it
stands, I do not know whether or not I will pick up another. I am sure I will
look over any that arrive in the Library, just in case. It is possible there are
just a few bad apples within this whole batch and I happened to read one of
them.
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