Pulp Fiction discussion

This is a popular thread on other groups & it's interesting to receive the opinions of other members of the group, especially if you are considering buying a book by an author you are not familiar with.

I didn't buy these books but sourced them from my local library but it';s in the same spirit. Obtaining books by whatever means is still an acquisition.

Picked up , & yesterday. Can't wait to read them, as they've been on my TBR list for ages. I have several books to read before i get to these though, library books having return dates makes prioritizing my reading a must.
So glad i have my reading mojo back after losing it there for a while:))

I recently bought The Ruined Map, by Japanese author Kobo Abe. It's a crime novel, but knowing Abe's work, it's going to likely have a big existential component.

Nancy wrote: "I recently bought The Ruined Map, by Japanese author Kobo Abe. It's a crime novel, but knowing Abe's work, it's going to likely have a big existential component."

I've not heard of this author Nancy, but this book looks interesting. Thanks for the mention.

Paul wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I recently bought The Ruined Map, by Japanese author Kobo Abe. It's a crime novel, but knowing Abe's work, it's going to likely have a big existential component."

I've n..."

You're welcome.

Who's Janet?

Nancy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I recently bought The Ruined Map, by Japanese author Kobo Abe. It's a crime novel, but knowing Abe's work, it's going to likely have a big existential compon..."

Oops... Sorry 'bout that Nancy. Call it a hang-over from a previous post:))

Picked up & today. Also picked up a copy of the movie of the same name (Saturday Night Sunday Morning) made in 1960, starring Albert Finney. Haven't watched it yet, as i want to read the book first.
Finney was a great English actor & always seemed to play rough, edgy characters.

Picked up 2 more books from the library i had on order: & a new author for me; . Heard a lot of good things about Megan Abbott, so am looking forward to reading this.
I really need to get a move on with my reading. Have currently about 8 books to read. At least my return dates are staggered, so they're not all due back at the same time.

Hiya, Paul.
`Devil in a blue dress` and `The Getaway` are excellent novels, and, indeed, movies.
`Saturday night..` is also a great flic, and I`d imagine the source work to be impressive too.
Enjoy ;-)

I'm thinking of buying Strangers on a Train because I just read The Talented Mr. Ripley and am interested in reading another work from this author.

Franky wrote: "I'm thinking of buying Strangers on a Train because I just read The Talented Mr. Ripley and am interested in reading another work from this author."

Stranger is Highsmith's first novel, so worth reading for that reason alone. But it's also a damn fine read. Highsmith was in a class of her own.

Thanks Paul. I definitely will get this one. :)

Franky wrote: "Thanks Paul. I definitely will get this one. :)"

Have you seen the movie Franky. Directed by Hitchcock, it's a wonder it was ever made. Turned down by 8 writers, including Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler wrote 2 screenplays & fell out with Hitchcock after seeing Hitchcock struggling to get out of his limousine & saying within earshot "Look at that fat bastard trying to get out of that car." Chandler never worked with Hitchcock again. Funny that:))

Paul, I've seen it a few times. I just remember thinking that the ending was a little over the top. Other than that, I really enjoyed the pace and mood.

Wow, cant' believe all those writers turned down this film idea. I mean, it is such a unique concept for a murder mystery/suspense.

Funny bit about Chandler and Hitchcock. I guess that is one way to get in Hitchcock's dog house.

Franky wrote: "Paul, I've seen it a few times. I just remember thinking that the ending was a little over the top. Other than that, I really enjoyed the pace and mood.

Wow, cant' believe all those writers turne..."

I think the reason it was turned down, was because it was Highsmith's debut novel, so she was an 'unknown quantity'.
Apparently Hitchcock bought the rights to the book for a measly $7,000. He dealt through an intermediary, because he knew if it was known he was involved, the price would be higher. I bet Highsmith was livid when she discovered the ruse.

Re: the movie itself. Apparently, there is an American version. Haven't seen it, but i believe the ending is different to the Hitchcock version. Might look it up.

Picked up from my library today . Been wanting to read Goodis for ages.

Paul wrote: "Picked up from my library today . Been wanting to read Goodis for ages."

Nice one. I've been on a bit of a Goodis kick lately, Nightfall and Shoot the Piano Player. That looks like a great collection.

It is a great collection, with a comprehensive timeline of Goodis' work and life. There is a newly published bio, by Philippe Garnier. If you are interested, I have a Facebook page, "Pulp According to David Goodis"

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulp-A...

Jay wrote: "It is a great collection, with a comprehensive timeline of Goodis' work and life. There is a newly published bio, by Philippe Garnier. If you are interested, I have a Facebook page, "Pulp According..."

Thanks for that Jay. I've liked it, so it's on my FB feed. Will have a better look when i have more time. Looks good.

I orderd Charles Willeford's 'Cockfighter' from my library last night, on-line. This morning my library called me to tell me they have an Omnibus of Willeford's, similar to the Goodis one mentioned above. 'Cockfighter' is in this collection. They thought i might like the Omnibus rather than the single book. How great is that? I love my library. It's completely free, unless you want an inter-loan from another city & that only costs $5. Plus they email me when a book i've ordered arrives at my local branch & send another email when a book is almost due for returning.
Just outstanding.

These are the institutions our government should heavily subsidize instead of bailing out banks and allowing corporations to pay little or no taxes! Books are protectors of individuality and self-discovery, and their readers are not subject to being spied on

Jay wrote: "These are the institutions our government should heavily subsidize instead of bailing out banks and allowing corporations to pay little or no taxes! Books are protectors of individuality and self-d..."

Well, if they did that, people who are nonreaders would complain about taxes being used for libraries. I'm not disagreeing with you. Today I was at an event hosted by my local library foundation where the cost to get in was to donate a children's book to help replenish children's library shelves. While I think it's a good idea, it's also sort of sad at the same time.

There was talk of charging people for borrowing books some time back, but fortunately this idea was shelved. Mostly it was because it was felt parents on low incomes wouldn't get books for their kids if they had to pay for them. Couldn't agree more. Passing on one's love of reading is one of the greatest gifts one can give a child.

Got an email from my library to say had arrived. Haven't read Bruen before, so i thought i'd start with a stand-alone novel.

Also picked up a series by Martin Limon in eBook format: , , , , , , & . These look really interesting. Has anyone read Limon?

Has anybody read Charles Willeford's Kiss Your Ass Good-Bye? I remember this one being published back in the 1980s but didn't buy it at the time and it's long since out of print. I've been re/reading a lot of Willeford lately and am trying to fill in the gaps, in terms of the books by him that I haven't read before. Is it worth my time tracking down a used copy of Kiss Your Ass...?

Paul wrote: "Has anybody read Charles Willeford's Kiss Your Ass Good-Bye? I remember this one being published back in the 1980s but didn't buy it at the time and it's long since out of print. I've..."

Apparently there were only 400 hard copies printed, according to Wiki, so they must be as rare as hen's teeth. And expensive, i would think. According to Wiki it was rejected by publishers, as it was considered to be too depressing.

Maybe try any collections or omnibus' of Willeford's work?

There are paperback editions used from only $12 on Amazon.

Thanks! It was a used pb that I was thinking of ordering. I'll most likely get it, as I guess there's little chance of it being republished any time soon.

Paul wrote: "Thanks! It was a used pb that I was thinking of ordering. I'll most likely get it, as I guess there's little chance of it being republished any time soon."

You're welcome. That's happened to me so many times...limited editions are cool but then when I'm ready to read a book, I don't want to pay three figures for it.

Picked up an eBook copy of . Think i'll try to get a copy from the library (maybe even buy a physical copy).

My God, Elizabeth Taylor was a stunning beauty!! What a great cover!!

Also . Another great cover. And collection.

Excellent stuff !

Just picked up from my local library. Had this on order.

Whilst there i couldn't help browsing. I picked up & . I read the blurbs on the back of both & there was no way i was going to leave without them.

Then for something totally random, i picked up . This last, is by a Dutch brother & sister writing duo. This is their debut. Looks promising.

Picked these eBooks up today: , , , , & .

I've not heard of Malcolm Pryce before. These look like a bit of fun. Great covers. Anyone read these?

I have read the Aberystwyth series by Malcolm Pryce. I loved all of the novels in the series. They are very unusual and funny. I hope you enjoy them, Paul.

Lauren wrote: "I have read the Aberystwyth series by Malcolm Pryce. I loved all of the novels in the series. They are very unusual and funny. I hope you enjoy them, Paul."

Thanks Lauren. That was my impression. Thought they looked like a bit of fun.

Have just acquired a bunch of books by James Carlos Blake. Not Noir or even Hard-Boiled, but more reminiscent of William Faulkner. Mostly gritty tales of the American West. Of immediate appeal is .

Paul wrote: "Have just acquired a bunch of books by James Carlos Blake. Not Noir or even Hard-Boiled, but more reminiscent of William Faulkner. Mostly gritty tales of the American West. Of immediate appeal is [..."

William Faulkner?
I just read the newest one, [book:The House of Wolfe: A Border Noir|22668846], which was IMO, so filled with violence it was tough to read. Definitely no Faulkner there, for sure. It was also misnamed -- there's like one scene on the border -- the rest is in Mexico City.

Nancy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Have just acquired a bunch of books by James Carlos Blake. Not Noir or even Hard-Boiled, but more reminiscent of William Faulkner. Mostly gritty tales of the American West. Of immediat..."

Thanks Nancy. They still look good to me:)

To be fair, I didn't 'to read the earlier ones.

Nancy wrote: "To be fair, I didn't 'to read the earlier ones."

Don't mind violence, if it is relevant to the story & not gratuitous.

Paul wrote: "Have just acquired a bunch of books by James Carlos Blake. Not Noir or even Hard-Boiled, but more reminiscent of William Faulkner. Mostly gritty tales of the American West. Of immediate appeal is ..."

That one has been on my short list for a while. It seems reminiscent of Blood Meridian.

Tom wrote: "Paul wrote: "Have just acquired a bunch of books by James Carlos Blake. Not Noir or even Hard-Boiled, but more reminiscent of William Faulkner. Mostly gritty tales of the American West. Of immediat..."

I think you're right Tom. Another friend on GR said the same thing, in another group. More reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy than Faulkner.
And a great cover, for which i am a sucker:)

Paul wrote: "I think you're right Tom. Another friend on GR said the same thing, in another group. More reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy than Faulkner.
And a great cover, for which i am a sucker:) "

Speaking of Faulkner and McCarthy, I was considering proposing it as a selection for the Southern Literary group. When you read it, let me know if you think it would be a good fit.

Tom wrote: "Paul wrote: "I think you're right Tom. Another friend on GR said the same thing, in another group. More reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy than Faulkner.
And a great cover, for which i am a sucker:) "
..."

Will do Tom.

I really enjoyed . I've read a number of reviews of The Road & can't believe how disparate they are. I loved it. But many people seem ambivalent about the ending.

Just acquired & . 1950's (Pulp) humor. PGH looks hilarious.

Anyone read it

Paul wrote: "I really enjoyed The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I've read a number of reviews of The Road & can't believe how disparate they are. I loved it. But many people seem ambivalent about the ending.

It was my least favorite Cormac McCarthy book but even the worst McCarthy is far better than the best Baldacci. That said, ambivalent is a good way to describe The Road, even though it is a book that has stayed with me ever since I read it.

Paul wrote: "Willeford doesn't get enough love. His stuff is great. But for some reason has sort of been relegated to the third tier of noir/crime novelists."

Yes, i agree Paul. Not a name one hears bandied about. Perhaps his appeal is limited. I can't imagine he would appeal much to female readers. His attitude to women seems a bit, how can i put this... archaic. I know more about Cockfighting than i ever wanted to know, but he's a fine writer. I'm about halfway through & would defintely read more by Willeford. is my next choice by Willeford. Another great cover.

Tom wrote: "Paul wrote: "I really enjoyed The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I've read a number of reviews of The Road & can't believe how disparate they are. I loved it. But many people seem ambivalent about the en..."

Always the sign of a good book, i reckon, if it stays with you.
Mind you i have read the odd book that i hated, which has stayed with me like a persistent case of indigestion.

Just picked up: Fay : A Miracle of Catfish . This last was Brown's last novel. Weeks after submitting the manuscript, he died of a heart-attack at the age of 53.

Both look great.

I just bought Kitten With a Whip / Kiss Her Goodbye, by Wade Miller. Stark House is one of my favorite publishers.

Picked up an eBook copy of today. Watched the film adaptation of it several months ago, with Robert Mitchum & Jane Greer & loved it.