The Asphalt Jungle by WR Burnett. Summary of the book.

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The Asphalt Jungle by WR Burnett: Summary of the Book

The Asphalt Jungle is a 1949 crime novel written by W.R. Burnett. It was later adapted into a movie with the same title in 1950. The story follows a group of criminals as they plan and execute a daring burglary in a small Midwestern city. The novel has been highly praised for its vivid and realistic descriptions of criminals and their motivations. It is considered a classic of crime fiction, and is one of the most influential works of the genre.

Plot Summary

The Asphalt Jungle tells the story of a small group of criminals who plan and execute a daring burglary in a small Midwestern city. The group is made up of Dix Handley, a tough and ruthless ex-convict; Doc Riedenschneider, an aging criminal mastermind; Cobby, a safe-cracker; Gus Minissi, a thug; and Louis Ciavelli, a former boxer. The group is hired by a syndicate of crime bosses to commit the robbery. The heist is a success and the group escapes with a large amount of money. However, the crime bosses soon realize that they have been double-crossed by their own criminals and the criminals are hunted down and killed one by one. In the end, only Dix Handley is left alive, but he is unable to enjoy his newfound wealth, as he is now a hunted fugitive.

Themes and Teachings

The Asphalt Jungle is an exploration of crime and its consequences. It shows the dark side of criminal life and the harsh realities of the criminal underworld. The novel also shows how crime can be a powerful force of destruction, as it leads to the downfall of the criminals in the novel. The novel also shows how crime is often motivated by greed and the desire for money and power. In the end, the novel shows that crime can never truly be successful, as it will eventually lead to the downfall of those involved.

Interesting Facts

  • The Asphalt Jungle was the first crime novel to be adapted into a movie.
  • The novel was a major influence on the film noir genre, which it helped to popularize.
  • The novel’s title comes from a line in the Bible, which reads, the wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
  • The novel was an important influence on the work of other crime writers, such as Jim Thompson, Jim Thompson, and Donald Westlake.

FAQs

  • What is The Asphalt Jungle about?
    The Asphalt Jungle is a crime novel about a group of criminals who plan and execute a daring burglary in a small Midwestern city. The novel explores crime and its consequences and shows how crime is often motivated by greed and the desire for money and power.
  • Who wrote The Asphalt Jungle?
    The Asphalt Jungle was written by W.R. Burnett in 1949.
  • When was The Asphalt Jungle published?
    The Asphalt Jungle was first published in 1949.
  • What are some of the themes explored in The Asphalt Jungle?
    The Asphalt Jungle explores crime and its consequences, showing how crime is often motivated by greed and the desire for money and power. It also shows how crime can be a powerful force of destruction, leading to the downfall of the criminals involved.
  • What is the main message of The Asphalt Jungle?
    The main message of The Asphalt Jungle is that crime can never truly be successful, as it will eventually lead to the downfall of those involved.

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