PEN American Center - PEN Reads

PEN American Center - PEN Reads When it comes to film noir there are few masters of the genre who are as good as Cain. The new version is interesting in that it seems more sympathetic to Mildred than the Hollywood version. The setting captures depression America in a way that the old one does not. It explains why Mildred had to bake pies as a single mother responsible for her two daughters when her weakling of a husband walked out on them. It tells the story of single mothers everywhere as a trope and it presents a very unpleasant picture of American males. Men in general do not fare well in this novel. Also, it shows you very early on how the surviving daughter gets to be the way she is. This devolves from her parents shame about their class and circumstance. She is a monster in the making who becomes full blown as she reaches adulthood. Tune in next week for the continuing Saga.