After reading the first part of “Never Die Alone,” it is my favorite novel that we have read so far. The different narratives occurring all at once provide a refreshing new lens to experience the noir genre, and Paul being a writer himself puts a larger emphasis on the storytelling aspect of the novel and the genre itself. Paul’s character intrigued me from the very beginning because his moral principles were obvious. Being the child of a Jewish woman in Nazi Germany, he has suffered one of the most horrible losses a child could, but is nonetheless a very good man. He is the first character we have been introduced to in this class that has a moral compass centered on being a good person rather than gaining the upper hand in life by any means necessary. Framing the narrative in this way opens up the noir world because we are able to view it from a much more relatable character. Not to say these characters are unrelatable, but for a reader, it is easier to enter the world through a character not yet driven to the edge.
The interweaving stories being told add a mythologizing aspect to the world of pimps and hustlers. There is a question as to whether or not any of these stories are real, and even Paul questions the truth of King David’s words in his diary. People even lie to themselves he finds, when truly alone. As a coping mechanism, King David fantasizes his life into this exciting new world where pushing everyone away wasn’t a mistake to hide the true hurt he is grappling with being alone in this unforgiving society. While not explicitly explored, there is a greater emphasis on the emotional baggage that comes with the life. Mike is tortured by his mother’s beating and cannot move on with his life until achieving vengeance, King David found his success, but had to give up everyone in his life to do so. Paul has a good heart and saves King David from dying alone, but obtains the greater baggage of inheriting his story. As the story goes on, it will be interesting to see how these ideas develop.