Gangway!

by Donald E. Westlake, Brian Garfield

Book by Donald E. Westlake, Brian Garfield

Genres: Westerns, Crime

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Donald E. Westlake (1933-2008) was one of the most prolific and talented authors of American crime fiction. He began his career in the late 1950's, churning out novels for pulp houses—often writing as many as four novels a year under various pseudonyms such as Richard Stark—but soon began publishing under his own name. His most well-known characters were John Dortmunder, an unlucky thief, and Parker, a ruthless criminal. His writing earned him three Edgar Awards: the 1968 Best Novel award for God Save the Mark; the 1990 Best Short Story award for "Too Many Crooks"; and the 1991 Best Motion Picture Screenplay award for The Grifters. In addition, Westlake also earned a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.

Westlake's cinematic prose and brisk dialogue made his novels attractive to Hollywood, and several motion pictures were made from his books, with stars such as Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson. Westlake wrote several screenplays himself, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of The Grifters, Jim Thompson's noir classic.

Some of the pseudonyms he used include
•   Richard Stark
•   Timothy J. Culver
•   Tucker Coe
•   Curt Clark
•   J. Morgan Cunningham
•   Judson Jack Carmichael
•   D.E. Westlake
•   Donald I. Vestlejk
•   Don Westlake

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was saddened to learn the other day that writer Brian Garfield died at the end of last year at the fairly modest age of 79. Back in the day, I read quite a few of Garfield's crime novels, and by and large very much enjoyed them. (The one about which I had reservations was, oddly enough, the one that brought him the greatest fame, Death Wish, although I liked the novel a lot better than I liked any of the violence-glorifying, pro-vigilante screen adaptations I saw.) I got the impression, too, that Garfield was a thoroughly good egg, someone I'd have loved to have known.

Hearing of his death prompted me to dig out one of his books to read as a tribute, so to speak. The difficulty was finding one I was pretty certain I hadn't read decades ago during my Garfield reading frenzy. And so it turned out that I found myself not only reading an extremely atypical Garfield book (surely I'd have remembered a Garfield/Westlake collaboration, since Westlake was another favorite author!) but also realizing after a few chapters that in fact I had read it. Still, it was about fifty years ago, give or take, so I forgive my flawed memory.

It's 1874 and young New York enforcer Gabe Beauchamps has been "advised" by his criminal boss that he might choose to continue his career as far away from New York as he could possibly get without drowning in the Pacific -- in San Francisco, to be precise. By the time he gets there, Gabe has teamed up with beautiful pickpocket and con artist Evangeline "Vangie" Kemp. The two form the kernel of a tight little group that has all the requisite skill sets to perpetrate the heist Gabe has dreamed up: nothing less than robbing the US Mint of as much gold bullion as humanly possible . . .

It's all great knockabout stuff, as if Terry Pratchett had decided to write himself a heist novel -- more farcical, in fact, than even Westlake's own solo comedy capers like the Dortmunder novels. I've no idea how many times I rocked with laughter, but it was certainly quite a few.

This is by no means one of the shining jewels in the Garfield crown, but it's tremendous fun, a giddyingly fast read, and very likable. Oh, and it has a couple of truly groanworthy puns that I really enjoyed.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been tearing through Westlake's catalog so quickly that I almost didn't notice his coauthor, but in hindsight I didn't notice him much in the writing either. This is essentially Dortmunder as a period piece in 1870's San Francisco, which isn't derogatory, just an easy shorthand, and maybe even the pitch that got it written.
Speaking of -there has to be a story behind Garfield and Westlake teaming up, so if anyone can share please do - perhaps it's on the dustcover missing from the edition I read or in some then-current reviews or advanced publicity - if it even got any - from 1973?

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Now in the summer of 1874 Gabe found himself at the wrong end of five days on the transcontinental railroad.”

From Manhattan to San Francisco, by way of Sacramento. The Barbary Coast! “…the most vice-infested square mile of corruption in the world.”

“If he took a bath he’d be about twelve pounds lighter; if they didn’t they’d soon be after him to pay real estate taxes on all that dirt.”

Gabe wants to rob The Mint, which seems impossible to everyone else! But he’s got a plan. He’s kind of like Westlake’s Dortmunder character, just a hundred years before! Maybe Gabe is Dortmunder’s grandfather? Hmmm…

Officer McCorkle with his big notebook and pencil! Hilarious! Gabe, Vangie, Francis, Captain Flagway, and their lucky charm Itzy! A fun group to read about, pulling the 'impossible' caper!

On a personal note and chuckle as a current resident of Marin County, CA -

"Marin County," Francis said. "But Vangie's right Gabe, that land up there won't be worth much."

If you know, you know! lol!!!

[Denise M.]

AKA: Alan Marshall, Alan Marsh, James Blue, Ben Christopher, Edwin West, John B. Allan, Curt Clark, Tucker Coe, P.N. Castor, Timothy J. Culver, J. Morgan Cunningham, Samuel Holt, Judson Jack Carmichael, Richard Stark, Donald E. Westlake


Written with: Brian Garfield

[Evyn Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read, lots of interesting characters, and twists and turns. Don't miss it!

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always felt this would make a great caper movie.

[Janet Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read. Must read again some time soon.

[Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedy is a Westlake ..