They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Horace McCoy
1935
Around 120 pages
While my schoolin' has taught me that the Great Depression began in 1929, this feels like the first novel that is firmly fixed in devastating economic conditions. Hopefully some writers will come along and make us laugh through the tough times as Steinbeck creeps closer and closer, heralded by the sound of dripping breast milk.
Robert is talked into joining a dance marathon with Gloria, after they both fail to get jobs as extras. Gloria wishes she were dead (who wouldn't, after joining a contest like that?). The contest is a lively affair, because there is free food for the competitors, a hefty prize, and everybody was very bored back then.
As a writer, McCoy did a brilliant job creating action and driving the story forward with the parameters he put in place for himself regarding the dance contest. I didn't think it was necessary to frame the story as a confession, but I understand it was a common technique of the time. And he obviously wasn't very concerned about spoiling the story, considering the last line is the title of the novella.
A short and punchy read, which isn't what comes to mind when I think of a Great Depression novel. Very impressive.
RATING: ****-
Interesting Facts:
Sydney Pollack directed a 1969 adaptation.
Season three of Gilmore Girls pays homage to this novel with the episode "They Shoot Gilmores, Don't They?" I belong to a text thread called Gilmore Girls Gal Pals, so this is interesting to me.
UP NEXT: The Last of Mr. Norris by Christopher Isherwood
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