Little Caesar

This gangster novel, published in 1929, was the forerunner of several iconic screenplays of the 1930s, including Scarface, co-written by this author. Set in Chicago, the obvious model for this gangster novel was Al Capone. The central character, Cesare Bandello (known as Rico), deposes the boss of his Italian crime gang and quickly outmanoeuvres rival gangs and tries to keep Flaherty, the Irish police sergeant, at bay. When, however, one of his gang members is arrested and turns state evidence against him, he's forced to abandon the city and lose his status in an attempt to preserve his freedom and his life.

The author, William Riley Burnett (born 25 November 1899), was born in Springfield, Ohio. He dropped out of Ohio State University after his first semester and then worked in various unexciting jobs. He moved to Chicago in the late 1920s and while working as a hotel clerk, he came to know a minor gangster and through him was introduced to the city's underworld. This led to him writing his first novel (this one), which was published in 1929. The following year he won the prestigious O. Henry Award for his 1929 short story Dressing-Up. A film version of Little Caesar, quickly followed and in 1930, Burnett moved to Hollywood to work as a screenwriter. He became one of the highest paid screenwriters there and was successful in getting 17 of his screenplays made into films, two of which were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. In addition he wrote numerous gangster novels and Westerns. In 1980 he was awarded the Edgar Award for lifetime achievement (Grand Master) in recognition of his role as originator of the subgenre of gangster fiction.

Like many a superstitious soldier, the central character, Rico, muses about the ups and downs of life:
“You never know. When you're looking for things to go right they never do. When you're looking for trouble, why, things are O.K.”
Often his first response to confrontation or danger is to reach for his gun. Ultimately, its his shooting of a policeman that is his downfall. Trapped in a blind alley in the town of his exile, Rico's frantic as he faces his pursuer, a big man in a derby hat:
“He wanted to live. For the first time in his life he addressed a vague power which he felt to be stronger than himself,
‘Give me a break! Give me a break!’ he implored.”