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James Sallis

ジェームズ・サリス

Jeimuzu Sarisu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1944-12-21 (Helena, Arkansas)
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
Helena, Arkansas → London → Los Angeles → Phoenix, Arizona

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Crime writer, Translator, Respiratory therapist, Musician, Music teacher, Screenwriter, Periodical editor, Book reviewer
Active Years
1970-2024
Affiliations
Otis College of Art and Design, Phoenix College
Influenced By
Damon Knight, Michael Moorcock, Michel Butor, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Albert Camus
Influenced
Don DeLillo, Thomas Pynchon

Awards

Grand Prix de Littérature policière
2012
Work: The Killer is Dying
Result: 受賞
Bouchercon lifetime achievement award
Organization: Bouchercon
Result: 受賞
Hammett Award
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Drive

2005 Crime fiction

A man who does stunt driving for movies by day and drives for criminals at night.

NoirLonelinessRevenge
Adaptations
  • [Film] Drive / Nicolas Winding Refn (2011)

The Long-Legged Fly

1992 Crime fiction

First in the Lew Griffin detective series set in New Orleans.

DetectiveCrimeNew Orleans

The Killer Is Dying

2011 Crime fiction

Story of a killer.

DeathMurderIdentity

Bibliography

  • The Long-Legged Fly (1992), Moth (1993), Black Hornet (1994), Eye of the Cricket (1997), Bluebottle (1999), Ghost of a Flea (2001), Cypress Grove (2003), Cripple Creek (2006), Salt River (2007), Drive (2005), Driven (2012), The Killer Is Dying (2011), Others of My Kind (2013), Willnot (2016), Sarah Jane (2019)

Adaptations

  • Drive (2011 film, dir. Nicolas Winding Refn)
  • Blue Devils (2022 short film)

Translations by Author

  • Saint Glinglin (trans. Raymond Queneau)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Noir styleAvant-gardeGnomic brevity
Recurring Motifs
References to Camus' The StrangerSelf-deceptionLies of society

Legacy

American crime writer known for diverse output, particularly noir fiction. Gained wide recognition with the film adaptation of Drive.

In Popular Culture

  • Novel Drive adapted into successful 2011 film.

Trivia

  • Brother of philosopher John Sallis.
  • Quit Phoenix College rather than sign a state-mandated loyalty oath.