Falling Angel

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This article is about the 1978 William Hjortsberg novel. For other uses, see Falling Angels (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Fallen angel (disambiguation) or Angels Fall (disambiguation).
First edition
(publ. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich)

Falling Angel is a 1978 horror novel by American writer William Hjortsberg. Written in a hardboiled detective style with supernatural themes, it was adapted into the 1987 film Angel Heart.[1]

Plot summary[]

Johnny Favorite, a popular crooner before and during the Second World War, has not been seen or heard of since he was critically wounded during a 1943 Luftwaffe raid on Allied forces in Tunisia. In 1959, private investigator Harry Angel is hired to locate him on behalf of a mysterious client who calls himself Louis Cyphre. During his investigation, Angel finds himself enmeshed in a disturbing occult milieu.

Adaptations[]

The book was adapted into a 1987 mystery-thriller film entitled Angel Heart starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, and Lisa Bonet.[1] It was also adapted into an opera by J. Mark Scearce to a libretto by Lucy Thurber.[2] Titled Falling Angel, it premiered at the Brevard Music Center on June 30, 2016,[3][4] after having initially been commissioned by the Center for Contemporary Opera in New York.[2]

Sequel[]

Angel’s Inferno, the long-awaited sequel to Angel Heart, was published after Hjortsberg's death by No Exit Press (UK) in 2020 and Open Road Media (USA) in 2021 to mixed reviews.

Press material for the book said of Angel’s Inferno: "A 1950s amnesiac and hard-boiled detective sets out for revenge in this blend of mystery, supernatural horror, and metaphysical fiction. Private investigator Harry Angel is in a jam. Handcuffed in his apartment along with the cops and a corpse, he stands accused of violently murdering three people. The good news is he knows who did it. But in order to exonerate himself, Harry must first make his escape—and figure out his own identity. With the authorities hot on his heels, Harry travels from New York and Boston to Paris and the Vatican in search of an elusive stage magician. Eventually piecing together his mysterious past, he descends into the dark world of the occult. And very soon he will have vengeance upon the devil himself."

References[]

  1. ^ a b Canby, Vincent (March 6, 1987). "Angel Heart (1987) FILM: MICKEY ROURKE STARS IN 'ANGEL HEART'". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b "J. Mark Scearce (DM 93) Commissioned by the Center for Contemporary Opera - News Updates". Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  3. ^ Waleson, Heidi (5 July 2016). "'Falling Angel' Review: Brevard Bravado". Retrieved 25 April 2017 – via www.wsj.com.
  4. ^ "BMC > Performances > June 30, 2016 > Falling Angel - World Premiere". Retrieved 25 April 2017.
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