[.ca] The Moon in the Gutter (ISBN 1852424494)

One of Goodis's Lesser Efforts:
Goodis's second-tier novels aren't really stories so much as they are examinations of his morbid psychology. Stay away from this one, Cassidy's Girl, and The Blonde on the Street Corner.

gritty story, but what about that ending?!?:
David Goodis is the champion of the down-and-outs, druggies, boozers and misfits. In 'The Moon in the Gutter' we have an interesting story about a stevedore (dock worker) and his utterly miserable existence. He has difficulty in coming to grips with the grisly death of his sister, his home life is a disaster, and his future looks bleak. But then he meets a blonde from the other side of the tracks and .... While I won't give any spoilers here let me just say I felt very let down by the ending of this novel. David Goodis brings the reader into the life of this poor soul and shows us his world without compassion. Towards the end the tension builds (..again no spoilers) but the author fails miserably in tying it all together at the end. Very disappointing. Bottom line: a missed opportunity by Goodis. Intriguing, but best left to Goodis fans only.

Hamsun Noir:
This guy is the Knut Hamsun of Noir. Grit, realism served up filthy-delphia style. His characters speak in the harsh dialect of wasted lives, guts, soul and all other essentials of the True Predecessor of Bukow, Selby, Fante, and Leonard Gardner...the beauty of ugliness is the religion of Goodis and his brash honesty and no-holds barred grappling prose style make him one of the greats.

Goodis is a really good mystery writer:
Seven months ago, Bill Kerrigan's beloved sister committed suicide rather than lives with the memory of the assault on her body by an unknown assailant. Bill remains in shock, visiting the alley off of Philadelphia's Vernon Street where his sibling died. After spending some time in the alley, for some reason known only to him, Bill decides he needs a beer so he goes to the nearby Dugan's Den bar. At the dive, Bill meets Newton Channing, a slumming wealthy uptowner. When Newton's classy sister Loretta comes to take him home, an immediate bond forms between her and Bill. However, he is a stevedore, residing in the slums while she is class personified. Even if Bill can put aside his ghastly obsession of finding the culprit behind his sister's death, this couple has no chance of making it. THE MOON IN THE GUTTER is a reprint of a great urban Noir. The characterization is deep and very intriguing because of David Goodis' insight into the Vernon Street dwellers. The story line is haunting as its serves up to prove that the author was exceptionally good at his craft. Readers who give this novel a chance will search the second hhandbook stores for more works by Mr. Goodis. Harriet Klausner