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Southern Noir

The Novel and Its Forms

Southern noir, also known as rural noir, is a genre of crime fiction set in the American South. Considered a subgenre of noir fiction, it often deals with themes related to poverty, racism and violence.

Facts
Place of Origin
American South 1
Notable Example
Give Us a Kiss by Daniel Woodrell 1
Defining Trait
Typically set in rural settings with vivid, poetic descriptions of landscape and place 1
Sources
1. Southern noir, Wikipedia
  • Characteristics section
    It is characterized by its focus on the setting of the American South, but can more broadly include the South, the Ozarks, Appalachia, the Midwest and the Southwestern United States.
  • History section
    One of the first authors to use the term 'country noir' was Daniel Woodrell, whose novel Give Us a Kiss was originally titled Give Us A Kiss: A Country Noir.
  • Characteristics section [defining-trait]
    It typically takes place in rural settings, with vivid, poetic descriptions of landscape and place.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Southern noir set?

Mainly the rural American South.

Southern noir is characterized by its focus on the setting of the American South, and it typically takes place in rural settings with vivid, poetic descriptions of landscape and place. The sources say the setting can more broadly include the Ozarks, Appalachia, the Midwest and the Southwestern United States.

Why is it also called country noir?

Daniel Woodrell was an early user of the term.

One of the first authors to use the term country noir was Daniel Woodrell, whose novel Give Us a Kiss was originally titled Give Us a Kiss: A Country Noir. Southern noir is also known as rural noir.
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