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The Big Clock
by Kenneth Fearing (1946)


The Big Clock is a noir novel set in New York City.  George Stroud is an editor for Crimeways magazine, one of the many magazines produced by Janoth Publications.  Most of the novel is told from George Stroud's perspective, though we also here from Janoth, George's wife, the painter Louise Patterson, and a few others. Stroud gets "mixed up" with Janoth's girlfriend, Pauline Delos.  When Delos is murdered, Janoth turns the Crimeways staff on the trail of a man seen with Pauline the night of the murder.  Only George knows that he is the man, and he must simultaneously head the investigation and mislead it in order to keep himself from the gallows.

As I mentioned in an entry yesterday, The Big Clock was made into a film starring Ray Milland and Charles Laughton.  In a reversal of the usual paradigm, the film adds more layers to the book rather than cutting corners.  Had I the opportunity to do it again, I would read the book first and then see the film, because I'm afraid the film has prejudiced me in its favor.  For one thing, I seem to be turning into more and more of a prude--I have a much harder time liking George Stroud when he commits adultery with his boss's girlfriend.  The film preserves his honor and hers in that connection at least.  Stroud is also more likeable generally in the film.  Still, I would recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in noir and multiple-perspective fiction. 

Also check out The Literary Stew's comments on it.