Approved for "noir" status?
Nah? Too bad ... and so fucking sad!

by Andrew Vachss
Originally published June 06, 2011, by Mulholland Books

We asked all the contributors to LA Noire: The Collected Stories to tell us their thoughts on why Los Angeles is so associated with the noir. Read Andrew Vachss's story "Postwar Boom" in LA Noire: The Collected Stories.

I learned, a long time ago, that people can read for entertainment and come away with enlightenment, so long as the vein of truth runs throughout and doesn't detract from the narrative force. I understand there are those who believe "noir"—or "hardboiled," or whatever term they prefer to lavish upon themselves—writing shouldn't be cluttered up with "that other stuff." As if littérature engageé is only acceptable in "magical realism" novels translated from original Incan scrolls. All these "outlaws" who want me to live by their rigid little rules . . . good luck to them. I understand I am too "pulp" for the literati, and too "literate" for the pulpsters. Lost a lot of sleep over that. I'd rather burn a bridge than crawl over it, and genre- worship isn't one of my disabilities. Apparently, as with all religions, some people believe they can dictate definitions. I don't ask these self-appointed high priests for the "Noir Seal of Approval" that only they (think they) can grant.

Andrew Vachss, winner of the Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, the Falcon Award from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Deutschen Krimi Preis, and the Raymond Chandler Award.

© 2011 Andrew Vachss. All rights reserved.

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