07 Dec 2009
The development of American detective novels was accompanied by a considerable impact of American culture and literary traditions on writers creating detective novels. At the same time, American novels developed their own, original style and characteristics which distinguish them from detective novels written by non-American writers. In order to understand distinctive characteristics and peculiarities of American detective novels, it is necessary to analyze some American detective novels which reveal the common trends that can be traced in this genre. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the novel “Farewell, My Lovely” by Raymond Chandler and “Devil in a Blue Dress” by Walter Moseley. In fact, both authors are representatives of American literature who are considered to be classics of American detective novels. This is why their works reveal traditional, typical elements and characteristics which are common to American detective novels. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that it is possible to trace certain similarities between the two aforementioned novels and, simultaneously, it is possible to speak a traditional, American style of these novels. In such a situation, it is crucial to understand what exactly makes these novels unique or different from detective novels written by non-American writers. Anyway, it is obvious that both novels reveal that American detective novels have certain carcass, which is traditionally used by writers to create successful detective novels which are popular in the audience. On the other hand, it is also obvious that such peculiarities make American detective novels rather more oriented on American audience specifically than on international audience, which does not necessarily mean that American detective novels are incomprehensible or uninteresting to international audience.
First of all, it is necessary to dwell upon substantial similarities of both novels which are particularly common to American detective novels. In this respect, it should be said that “Farewell, My Lovely” and “Devil in a Blue Dress” reveal a very critical, if not to say skeptical, attitude of authors to the police. To put it more precisely, Raymond Chandler and Walter Moseley depict police officers as people who are unable to perform their professional duties properly. At any rate, police officers depicted in both novels are not really competent and they are unable to investigate cases even though they are quite difficult to investigate. In actuality, this means that American detective novels does not really attempt to create an image of a genius policemen who is capable to solve all problems, investigate any crime and arrest the most genius criminal. Neither in “Farewell, My Lovely” nor in “Devil in a Blue Dress” there are such police officers. In stark contrast, the police rather interferes into the process of the investigation of crimes committed in the course of both novels than assist to the investigation.
