Pop. 1280 (1964)
by Jim Thompson Nick Corey is the sheriff of Potts County, a small rural Southern region in the early part of the 20th century. Jim Thompson Author Jim Thompson reveals him to us slowly. At first, he seems like a slow-witted, ineffectual clown with a humorous way of expressing himself. At this point, he had my sympathy as an underdog. Then he seems to become rather impulsive, reckless, and careless, and I began to have my doubts about him. Before long, we find that we are following the story of a sociopath who is a master of manipulation. He confronts a series of challenges and masters them with creative solutions unburdened by any sense of scruples. "Big Fist of God" (Turkish) He is shockingly violent, outrageously slanderous…and often laugh-out-loud funny in a very dark way. "1275 Souls" (French) Writing at a time when the news was filled with examples of Southern inhospitality toward those fighting for social justice and racial equalit...
