Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Grifters

Save:
Find on Amazon

The Grifters by Jim Thompson follows the life of Roy Dillon, a young grifter struggling to navigate his relationships with his con artist mother, Lilly, and his girlfriend, Moira. The story delves into the dark underworld of cons and rackets, portraying a life filled with deception, manipulation, and the constant struggle to survive. Thompson's writing style immerses the reader in a world where characters are morally ambiguous, relationships are fraught with tension, and the plot unfolds with unexpected twists and turns.

Characters:

Characters are complex and morally ambiguous, each navigating their own schemes and struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by a straightforward style that sometimes feels lazy, yet is punctuated by unexpected moments of lyrical depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a con artist's struggle with family, morality, and life choices as he juggles his illicit activities and personal relationships.

Setting:

The setting in 1960s Los Angeles enhances the bleak atmosphere of the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is engaging, balancing quick action with reflective moments, culminating in a surprising ending.
As Roy Dillon stumbled out of the shop his face was a sickish green, and each breath he drew was an incredible agony. A hard blow in the guts can do that to a man, and Dillon had gotten a hard one. No...

Notes:

The Grifters is about Roy Dillon, a successful con artist who specializes in short scams.
Roy's mother, Lily, is also a con artist linked with the mob.
The story explores the complicated relationship between Roy and Lily, starting with her giving birth to him at 14.
Moira, Roy's girlfriend, is introduced as another conniving character.
The plot involves themes of manipulation, moral ambiguity, and desperation.
Roy suffers a critical injury during a con and is taken to the hospital by Lily.
The writing style is described as straightforward, with some abrupt shifts between dull prose and vivid description.
The ending is noted for its unexpected twist, adding depth to the characters' low lives.
Critics praise Jim Thompson for his ability to depict violence and morally complex characters.
The novel was adapted into a film in 1990, starring John Cusack and Anjelica Huston.
The book highlights a gritty and dark portrayal of life in Los Angeles during the 1960s.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Grifters include themes of violence, deception, dysfunctional relationships, and potentially triggering character behaviors such as manipulation and betrayal.

From The Publisher:

Jim Thompson's classic The Grifters is one of the best novels ever written about the art of the con, an ingeniously crafted story of deception and betrayal that was the basis for the critically acclaimed film by Stephen Frears and Martin Scorcese.

To his friends, to his coworkers, and even to his mistress Moira, Roy Dillon is an honest hardworking salesman. He lives in a cheap hotel just within his pay bracket. He goes to work every day. He has hundreds of friends and associates who could attest to his good character.

Yet, hidden behind three gaudy clown paintings in Roy's pallid hotel room, sits fifty-two thousand dollars - the money Roy makes from his short cons, his "grifting." For years, Roy has effortlessly maintained control over his house-of-cards life - until the simplest con goes wrong, and he finds himself critically injured and at the mercy of the most dangerous woman he ever met: his own mother.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (9):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (6)
 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.