If I had to select one of these two stories to recommend to a friend, I would definitely say "The Method." I feel I can relate to these stories more than I did to Double Indemnity. I really liked the female narration in both stories, and the fact I live in Los Angeles, and these stories are more modern, I felt like they were real, like I was watching a news segment. I really liked the intenseness of "The Method," I was very interested the entire story. The female protagonist, Holly, was a badass! (sorry there is really no other word to describe her) She was cut-throat, and was not about to let some scum bag walk all over her! I liked how she figured out she was being used by Richard, went and used him one last time, and them killed him. She basically got revenge before anything really happened to her. I like the realness of the story line: a young girl struggling to make it in hollywood, waiting tables, renting a room with an old woma, tangled up with a bad guy. This is a story that frequents LA. I felt there as never a dull moment in "The Method," so I would absolutely recommend that to a friend.
As for "Morocco Junction," it was a little more difficult to follow and I got bored throughout. I felt like the ending was just kind of thrown together, like maybe the wirter didn't quite know how to tell the audience why the Eloise committed suicide. It felt very rushed and unrealistic that just by looking at a piece of jewelry Minerva would unravel the entire mystery. It felt sort of like a cheesy lifetime movie, but less appealing. Basically, the only things I liked about this story is the fact there was a character named "Meghan" (lol) and that the author referenced Jamba Juice! I also thoght it was somewhat interesting that this is the first noir story I have read that has suicide vs. murder, and the woman who killed herself was really the only "bad guy," aside from the theives. That being said, I felt it was mostly dull and the most interesting part, the ending, felt like the author was late for a deadline. I would most likely not recommend this story to a friend.
I was really interested in how you talked about the second story being like a lifetime movie. I felt the same way, that everything was just thrown together and at times it got so boring that I just had to stop reading and continue it later. The Method kept my attention the entire time and I did not want to put it down. To me that signifies a great short story. Something short and sweet that can throw your imagination around.
ReplyDeleteid definitely have to agree with you about Holly, she is definitely a badass and didn't put up with the bullshit of a man trying to take control of a women. I also would have to agree with you on the fact that there was never a dull moment in The Method it always kept me with wanting more. I thought Morocco Junction was boring as well and very hard to follow. I also didn't think that it really had anything to do with a noir story that it almost was just a story about robberies and a suicide story that really didn't make any sense to me at all.
ReplyDeletei agree that the second story was unsettling and seemed a bit unnerving by unrealistic feel but i'm sorry to say that i don't agree with holly being a "Badass". i only say this because she kinda put herself in the situation. she really just wanted to get laid in my opinion. she starts off by saying how gross and old this guy is and then she turns around and "sleeps" with him. she was just asking for weird, not only does she "get it on" with this creeper knowing he's an old, dirty, poor, unattractive man but she also does what he tells her to do. just what does she really expect from him?
ReplyDeleteP.S. i really liked your post and i thought it was a great point of view.
Megan, I agree on your perspective of the stories. I enjoyed the "The Method" a lot more because it captivated my interest. You were completley correct when you stated that the stories were easier to relate to, and were more realistic. The protagonist did seek revenge in the worst way and she came out on top. "Morocco Junction" was in my opinion a poorly written story. I absolutley agree when you said that "the ending was just kind of thrown together." I feel like the author was attempting to amaze the audience with a powerful ending for lack of intrigue throughout the story. I was as uninterested as you were. Good post and writing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said at the end of "the methods" summary.. "I like the realness of the story line: a young girl struggling to make it in hollywood, waiting tables, renting a room with an old woma, tangled up with a bad guy. This is a story that frequents LA" I acctually found that i was shaking my head in agreement. "the method" was an easy reader for me, I finally felt like i was reading a good book that i didnt have to think to hard about..I was actually fun to read. I totally would recomend it to a friend.
ReplyDeleteYeah I agree that these stories catch our eye more because we are familiar with the locations. It gets us excited. Holly was definitely...something else. She was so bold and held nothing back, this girl had no morals or something haha. She reminded me of the guys in classic noir in a way that she was easy to manipulate and she did everything for lust.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the story, which is why i favored it over Moroccan junction as well.