Not Your Father's Noir

Class Description

This class explores “post classical” crime noir mystery novels. The golden age of noir mysteries was between World War II and 1960. The Great Depression and WWII disillusioned readers who no longer believed in happy endings. These novels were gritty, urban, and their focus was on the victim or the criminal, less on the detective. Noir may have lost some of its popularity since then, but many great writers are still writing along with key noir elements such as moral ambiguity, complex characters, and dark, atmospheric settings. We will read, examine, and discuss some of these new noir classics.

Tom heads up technology for a manufacturing firm during the day and teaches classes about mysteries, spy novels, and history by night.

Materials List

Required

• Pelecano, George, The Night Gardener. Bay Back Books, 2009. ISBN: 9780316056502

• McLoughlin, Tim, Brooklyn Noir. Akashic, 2004. ISBN: 9781888451580 (Please Note: We are unable to stock this book, but copies are available at the Chicago Public Library. You can also buy it from online stores like Bookshop.org.)

• Cranor, Eli. Don’t Know Tough. Soho Crime, 2022. ISBN: 9781641294560

• Kirino, Natsuo. Out. Vintage, 2005. ISBN: 9781400078370

• Locke, Attica, Bluebird, Bluebird. Mulholland Books, 2017. ISBN: 9780316363273

• Anderson, Kent, Night Dogs. Mulholland Books, 2019. ISBN: 9780316489546

First Reading

• Please read the book The Night Gardener by George Pelecano for the first class.

A Brief Syllabus

1. The Night Gardner by George Pelecano
2. Brooklyn Noir by Tim McLoughlin
3. Don’t Know Tough by Eli Candor
4. Out by Natsuo Kirino
5. Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
6. Night Dogs by Kent Anderson

Cost and Registration

6 Sessions, $245 ($220 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.

We offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($245), Community Supported ($230), and Sponsor ($260). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.

To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.

Take a Look

View our full schedule of adult education classes.

Support the Newberry

Your generosity is vital in keeping the library’s programs, exhibitions, and reading rooms free and accessible to everyone.

Questions?

Call us at (312) 255-3700 or send us an email at adulteducation@newberry.org.

Our office hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am–6 pm CT.
We are available by email Tuesday through Saturday.