JT
Jim Thompson
91quotes
Jim Thompson
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
James Robert Thompson
Birth and Death Dates
September 5, 1906 – April 26, 1977
Nationality and Profession(s)
American novelist and screenwriter
Early Life and Background
Jim Thompson was born in Anadarko, Oklahoma, to a family of modest means. His father, a carpenter, died when Jim was just four years old. The young boy grew up in a household with his mother and several siblings, where he developed a love for storytelling through the oral traditions of his family. Thompson's early life would later influence his writing style, which often featured themes of isolation, violence, and redemption.
Major Accomplishments
Thompson is widely regarded as one of the most influential American crime writers of all time. His novels are known for their gritty realism, complex characters, and exploration of the human condition. Thompson's breakthrough novel, _The Killer Inside Me_ (1952), is considered a classic of the genre and has been adapted into several films.
Notable Works or Actions
Thompson's notable works include:
The Killer Inside Me (1952) - A psychological thriller about a small-town police officer with a dark secret.
After Dark, My Sweet (1955) - A crime novel about an escaped convict who kidnaps a young woman.
* Wild Town (1956) - A gritty portrayal of life in a small Oklahoma town.
Thompson's work has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of human nature and his exploration of themes such as morality, justice, and the American Dream.
Impact and Legacy
Jim Thompson's influence on popular culture is undeniable. His novels have inspired countless filmmakers, including Stanley Kubrick, who adapted _The Killer Inside Me_ in 1976. Thompson's work has also been praised by authors such as Dennis Lehane and Gillian Flynn, who have cited him as an inspiration.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Thompson's quotes are often sought after because of their insight into the human condition and his unflinching portrayal of violence and its consequences. His writing style, which blended elements of pulp fiction and literary realism, has been widely influential and continues to be studied by scholars and writers today.
In conclusion, Jim Thompson was a masterful storyteller who left an indelible mark on American literature. His work continues to captivate readers with its unflinching portrayal of human nature and its exploration of themes that remain relevant today.
Quotes by Jim Thompson
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If I had to marry someone, it wouldn’t be a bossy little gal with a tongue like barbed-wire and a mind about as narrow.
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It was like being asleep when you were awake and awake when you were asleep. I’d pinch myself, figuratively speaking – I had to keep pinching myself. Then I’d wake up kind of in reverse; I’d go back to the nightmare I had to live in. And everything would be clear and reasonable.
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Well, anyway, by the time it got ready to vote, it looked like a fella wouldn’t be able to have no fun at all anymore, if my opponents were elected. About all a fella would be able to do, without getting arrested, was to drink sody-pop and maybe kiss his wife. And no one liked the idea very much, the wives included.
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He’d had too much. He was too beaten. When they get that far gone, you’d better get in the final licks fast.
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As for working with a partner, he didn’t like that either. It cut the score right down the middle. It put an apple on your head, and handed the other guy a shotgun. Because grifters, it seemed, suffered an irresistible urge to beat their colleagues. There was little glory in whipping a fool – hell, fools were made to be whipped. But to take a professional, even if it cost you in the long run, ah, that was something to polish your pride.
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He had to hate them, to move the smothering shroud of hatred from himself to them. He closed the door of his room behind him, and almost snatched the drink from under the bed.
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Maybe it don’t seem to make sense for a fella to be doing things for a reason that he don’t know about. But I reckon I’ve been doing it most of my life.
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Existence and proof are inseparables. You have to have the second to have the first. I.
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