Cirlf/‘rf C’Jl L LCI'I’JIJ DASHIELL HAMMETT Nightmare Town

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Hard»boiled crime fiction didn't exrst before Samuel Dashiell Hammett invented it. He took murder out of the di'aWing room and dumped it in the street by draWing on his experiences as a Pinkerton Detective Agency operative. When he was finished. everyone from Chandler to Ellroy followed his pen strokes. He was literary. too: ‘The wavering Ford missed her by inches. missing her at all only because her backward JUal was bii‘d—guick.'

That's from Hammett's novella. ‘Nightmare I’own'. one of the twenty never before or. at least. not-for—a-long— time—put)lished—in—book— form stories that gives this new collection its name. Also Included are three tales featuring tough ‘tec Sam Spade (made famous by Humphrey Bogart in The Ma/tese Falcon). seven more introducing the unnamed Continental Op (closely modelled on Hammett himseItI and others. varied and Inventive wrth endings that would surprise O. Henry. Twenty strippedw‘lown. lean tales. No messin': IUSI crimes and punishments. (Miles Fielder)

POLITICAL NON-FICTION CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS

The Trial Of Henry Kissinger (Verso ST. 1 Si 00».

The legalism of United States politics can be breathtakingly unreal. It is still astonishing that a public proseCutor was able to pursue the case of the preSident's genitals. while Bill

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\. .’ t" a':ara',’.i’;"st *, all/33'?) .i': ’, ‘:.‘,'"".‘:'.;“, Ct‘rr stcpne Hitcnens has applied fine .apid I/(JIIIi(,<'II forensics of the American r grit against its ta.'ourite adopted son. Henry Kissinger. Some details iii this de.astatriig to )k are rirore cartel, known than others but all are pursued ‘.‘./IIII the same iiii;ipologetically tendentious IOlIfllEtIlSIlfl rigour. Anyone who cares about the USA's catastrophic adventure in Indochina suspects Kissinger of the ultimate ‘.'.’£tl' crimes in Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia. The indictment of Augusto Pinochet carried an implicit threat to Kissinger. widely seen as the key backer of Chile's proto fascist coup.

Now, in one brilliantly written little volume. we have the sort of eVidence which will strike fear into the part of Kissingers brain where a conscience should be. (Mark Brown) SPORTS fillfifé'afifiim ‘Y WOODWARD

Propellerhead (Harper'Collins 37.14.99) 0..

‘lt's all jLISI a case of history r'epeating'. and in the early 90s his lordship Nick Hornby doth spake and told his recoiistr‘ucted male sports fanatic followers to boast aloud once more and cover the costs of their ridiculous hobbies. Antony Woodward. a low-paid media worker in 80s London develops a passion for microlight plane flying during a half-hear'tt-éd bid to compete with his best friend. From here. we follow him around the hinterworld of the kind

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SHORT STORY COLL I'VCTION

HA JIN

The Bridegroom (William Heinemann 50.99) 0...

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The grim reality of China's crushingly- oppressive regime is all too expressiver illustrated here in Ha Jin's second collection of short tales. From the barbaric ‘homosexualitycuring programmes or the police brutality and corruption. Jin's China is for the most part. not a nice place to be in.

Despite this Orwellian ViSion, his world is one Of hope and struggle in the face of adversity; a converse to the depressing Situation and the fable-like duality of his stories give them a timeless feel.

His pared-down phrases make the most mundane item »« be it a turnip field or a cotton Jacket on a cold day the most wad of ODJBCIS in prose. His characters are economically portrayed giVing them an air of mystery and excitement. The leisurer paCing along with everyday SLIIDJCCI matter love. fortune and families make this an accessible and rewarding read. (Mark Robertsoni

Books

EVENTS AT BORDERS

THURSDAY 10TH MAY 7PM~

ALASDAIR GRAY

To celebrate the publication of the limited anniversary edition of Lanark Alasdair Gray will be discussing his classic novel with Alan Taylor of the Sunday Herald.

TUESDAY 15TH MAY 7PM

MORO COOKERY

Sam and Sam Clark chef-owners of the renowned Moro restaurant will be cooking some of their delicious fusion dishes from Spain.

WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 7PM

at the GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL Tickets £2 available from Borders 0

IRVINE WELSH

Author fo Trainspotting and Filth will be discussing his new novel

GLUE

THURSDAY 17TH MAY 7PM

SEBASTIAN FAULKS

Bestselling author of Birdsong and Charlotte Gray, will be reading from and discussing his new novel

ON GREEN DOLPHIN STREET

WEDNESDAY 23RD MAY 7PM

SCOTLAND ON A PLATE

Join Ferrier Richardson with some of the finest chefs in Scotland as they share the secrets of their success and let you taste their favourite dishes.

WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY 7PM

SOPHIE GRIGSON AND WILLIAM BLACK

Delicious organic recipes and sound food advice from terision’s favourite husband and wife team

ORGANIC

LOOK OUT FOR 11:9 LAUNCH 31 MAY, NICK HORNBY 19 JUNE

BORDERS”

98 BUCHANAN STREET, GLASGOW GI 38A TEL: 014] 222 7700 OPENING HOURS: 8am to I Ipm, Monday to Saturday, IOam to 9pm Sunday www.bordersstores.com/stores/283

THE LIST 107