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The Pulp Fiction Megapack: 25 Classic Pulp Stories
Apes! Sex fiends! Gangsters! Mad scientists! Tentacles! Yes, this MEGAPACK has them all, no less than 25 lurid tales ripped from the pages of pulp fiction magazines. For The Pulp Fiction Megapack, we selected stories with great pulp titles. (Where else are you going to find stories like "Blood for the Vampire Dead," "Mistress of Snarling Death," or "When Super-Apes Plot"?) Of course, these stories were all written in a different time, with different standards of what was acceptable. They are decidedly NOT politically correct by modern standards. Please go into them aware of this fact, and if you are offended by racism, stereotypes, bad writing, sadism, or anything else prevalent in cheap literature of the early 20th century...well, this may not be the right ebook for you. But if you can sit back and enjoy these stories for what they are—simple titlations from another era—you may find some surprising treats.Included FOR THE VAMPIRE DEAD, by Robert Leslie BellemMISTRESS OF SNARLING DEATH, by Paul ChadwickFIANCES FOR THE DEVIL’S DAUGHTER, by Russell GrayTHE SHRIEKING POOL, by G. T. Fleming-RobertsDEATH MATES FOR THE LUST-LOST, by Hugh J. GallagherTHE DOGS OF PURGATORY, by Hugh PendexterWHEN MANHATTAN SANK, by George S. BrooksBRIDE OF THE APE, by Harold WardBLOOD-BAIT FOR HUNGRY MERMAIDS, by John WallaceSHIP OF THE GOLDEN GHOUL, by Lazar LeviBLACK POOL FOR HELL MAIDENS, by Hal K. WellsDEATH FLIGHT, by Robert WallaceTHE SCALPEL OF DOOM, by Ray CummingsSATAN DRIVES THE BUS, by Wyatt BlassingameSERVANT OF THE BEAST, by L. Patrick GreeneTHE DEAD BOOK, by Howard HerseyWHEN SUPER-APES PLOT, by Anthony WilderTHE YELLOW CURSE, by Lars AndersonTHE BRAIN OF MANY BODIES, by E. A. GrosserTONG TORTURE, by Emile C. TeppermanTHE RAY OF MADNESS, by Captain S. P. MeekTHE TERRIBLE TENTACLES OF L-472, by Sewell Peaslee WrightTHE APE-MEN OF XLOTLI, by David R. SparksTHE FLOATING ISLAND OF MADNESS, by Jason KirbyTHE CORPSE ON THE GRATING, by Hugh B. CaveAnd don't forget to search this ebook store for more entries in the "Megapack" series, covering science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, westerns, and much, much more!
509 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2013
104 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Robert Leslie Bellem
353 books12 followersRobert Leslie Bellem (July 19, 1902 - April 1, 1968) was an American pulp magazine writer, best known for his creation of Dan Turner, Hollywood Detective. Before becoming a writer he worked in Los Angeles as a newspaper reporter, radio announcer and film extra. After the demise of the pulps, Bellem switched to writing for television, including a number of scripts for The Lone Ranger, Adventures of Superman (1950s version), the original Perry Mason show, 77 Sunset Strip, and other shows.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 26, 2019
Magazine tales from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. I enjoyed some of these stories very much. I like cheesy intense action and quick endings. I liked, say, "The Dogs of Purgatory" by Hugh Pendexter (1936). They have ridiculous, hilarious, titles made for catching attention on magazine covers. "Death Mates for the Lust-Lost" was cheesy but not terrible, but I do not even get what that title is about. I skipped the stories about apes and whipping. Mostly I gave this four stars because I adored the novella "When Manhattan Sank," by George S. Brooks (from the Complete Stories Magazine in 1927).
April 15, 2016
This was a great deal of fun, but take the publisher's warning to heart -- Not Politically Correct!
The formatting is fine...didn't notice any typos or textual problems of any kind.
The stories themselves are funny, twisted, and repulsive in turn. All are worth the time of the reader. I would remember that you don't sit down, as I did, and read all the stories back to back. Better to be ready something else at the same time and maybe read one story and then take a break.
FYI, these stories were meant to titillate and disturb...the erotic nature of the stories are now very dated, as is the race and gender relations...which is the kindest way possible to say that these stories will make the blood of some boil...those looking for cultural justice do not buy this book.
Those looking for a window on the psyche of a vanished culture would do well to look at this book. Those looking for a dirty little secret might find this book interesting too.
However, do not binge on the stories...one at a time with other reading material is the way to go.
Recommended for aficionados of the Other, the Bizzare, and the downright weird.
The formatting is fine...didn't notice any typos or textual problems of any kind.
The stories themselves are funny, twisted, and repulsive in turn. All are worth the time of the reader. I would remember that you don't sit down, as I did, and read all the stories back to back. Better to be ready something else at the same time and maybe read one story and then take a break.
FYI, these stories were meant to titillate and disturb...the erotic nature of the stories are now very dated, as is the race and gender relations...which is the kindest way possible to say that these stories will make the blood of some boil...those looking for cultural justice do not buy this book.
Those looking for a window on the psyche of a vanished culture would do well to look at this book. Those looking for a dirty little secret might find this book interesting too.
However, do not binge on the stories...one at a time with other reading material is the way to go.
Recommended for aficionados of the Other, the Bizzare, and the downright weird.
July 3, 2013
You have to manage your expectations here. One doesn't read pulp fiction expecting to find great literature (although a well-crafted story isn't totally out of the question). While this collection has stories by some respected writers - Ray Cummings, Hugh Cave among them - the admitted raison d'etre was to highlight stories with scintillating titles. Hence you'll find "Death-Mates for the Love Lost" and "Blood-Bait for Hungry Mermaids", among others. This is mind candy, fun to dip into but probably harmful if overdone.
October 31, 2017
I had a blast with this book with its unapologetic "chicks, terror and tentacles" ethos. Before there were tablets and streaming tv there were cheap magazines with lurid pictures and two bits worth of thrills. These stories are similar in style; setting the all important mood and the ghastly setting as well as the likely petrified woman and dauntless male hero. I aspire for mood in my own fiction and several times found myself jealous of some likely long dead hack sitting at an Underwood. Take them for what they are; dumb and moody at the same time, sit under the lamp on a dark and stormy night and enjoy!
July 13, 2014
I really liked the trashiness and how much it made me look up the dictionary. After you've gone through the first 3 or 4 stories or so, you'll begin to get a pattern: Macho adventurer + distressed dame and any combination of supernatural, detective, wild jungles or big game hunting (a.k.a I'm sick of hunting animals, let's release random prisoners and treat them as game). Add in a stock native or oriental and you're set. Excessive adverbs, florid descriptions, occasionally abrupt endings (the supernatural ones tend to build up over several pages only to deflate in one rapid-fire scientific exposition page.
The only really poorly written story was The Dead Book by Howard Hersey. The story is as dead as its title suggests. After an introduction that hints at a flashback, the rest of the story is entirely carried by dialogue. By one person. Damned if I'd ever want to read that story.
The other 24 weren't fantastic, but I'd say they're quite fun in a "so-bad-its-good" way! For less than a buck ($0.99 on kindle), they're quite a steal, really.
The only really poorly written story was The Dead Book by Howard Hersey. The story is as dead as its title suggests. After an introduction that hints at a flashback, the rest of the story is entirely carried by dialogue. By one person. Damned if I'd ever want to read that story.
The other 24 weren't fantastic, but I'd say they're quite fun in a "so-bad-its-good" way! For less than a buck ($0.99 on kindle), they're quite a steal, really.
June 1, 2015
Adventure! High paced stories of intrigue, good and evil. Highly recommend this little mixer for those who need access to short stories that entertain. Stories range from classic good vs.evil to the more complex thriller or the harrowing romance.
August 13, 2013
Lots of mad scientists, buxom women in tattered dresses, angry savages, rocket ships and "weasels ripped my flesh." A couple of standout pieces, but most kinda ran together after a while. Campy fun!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews