Strangers on a Train (Penguin Joint Venture Readers)

wow. i've heard of (and have probably seen some of) the film that grew out of this novel, but i was surprised (and impressed) at the level of consciousness this piece had. sure the murders occur. but the thoughts behind them, the rationalizations, the subsequent loss of humanity from within - it was so well done. i always assumed thrillers were simply about a crime - either the thrill and worry of carrying one out, or the fear and anxiety of being the victim of one. this book was so much more.
i'm curious to watch the movie now and see if if tries to encompass the nuance of breaking societal codes in order to justify a murder.