Pulp Fiction discussion

Hey Cathie, I've just started a Continental Op myself : Red Harvest. We should exchange notes.

Kenny wrote: "Just finished reading "The Bottoms" by Joe R. Lansdale. It's a great novel; I liked it as much as "The Killer Inside Me", but it's a very different book. It's mystery, not hard boiled PI, but I'm s..."

I've been eyballin' that for quite some time, gonna have to bump it up my list.

About 100 pages into Joyland, it's ok but not bowling me over yet.

Kenny wrote: "Just finished reading "The Bottoms" by Joe R. Lansdale. It's a great novel; I liked it as much as "The Killer Inside Me", but it's a very different book. It's mystery, not hard boiled PI, but I'm s..."

The Bottoms is my favorite Lansdale novel.

Right now I'm reading Trouble is My Business. Great as expected, though the short story format results in a somewhat different reading experience than Chandler's full-length novels.

Just started Die a Little by Megan Abbott (sorry, can't link from phone) and am really excited since I've been waiting for it.

Bobbi wrote: "Just started Die a Little by Megan Abbott (sorry, can't link from phone) and am really excited since I've been waiting for it."

Bobbi, I sincerely hope you enjoy this novel as much as I did. Spent a month trying to find another novel half as good as that one.

Incidentally, Megan Abbott has reviewed Elissa Wald's The Secret Lives Of Married Women in this Sunday's (Oct. 6) New York Times Book Review.
I'd read Megan Abbott writing about almost anything.

Yeah Queenpin left me dazed. Couldn't focus on any other books for at least a week. She's bound to become a classic of the genre.

Currently reading a past book club pick He Died With His Eyes Open and enjoying it so far.

Decided to take a slight break from my Elmore Leonard binge.

I'd intended to begin re-reading Derek Raymond's Factory series starting with the 1st entry He Died With His Eyes Open.

I glanced over at my overflowing TBR pile and right on top I spotted my recently purchased copy of the latest Daniel Woodrell novel The Maid's Version.

I'm currently reading that novel & I'm 30 pages in.
What a marvelous, luxurious Southern Gothic it is!

While searching for something else for another group, I came across an interesting book, Re-Covering Modernism: Pulps, Paperbacks and the Prejudice of Form. It's way too expensive to buy & not in any of my libraries, but I put it on my Paperbackswap wish list. Has anyone else heard of or read it?

I stumbled across the Strand interview page this morning. I read excerpts of their interview with Mickey Spillane & found they had a bunch of others, including Elmore Leonard.

http://www.strandmag.com/htm/strandma...

I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness.

Simon wrote: "I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness."

I'm betting Mike Hammer wasn't, though.

Just started The Winter of Frankie Machine by Don Winslow after seeing some reviews from members of this group. This will be my first by Winslow. So many firsts with so many good authors since joining!

"I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness"

All I can say is WTF.

Bobbi wrote: "So many firsts with so many good authors since joining!
"

I agree Bobbi. Books and authors I never would have thought twice about are now essential reads.

BTW. Just finished The Bottoms (which Kenny brought up earlier and Mantan seconded) and really enjoyed the story, tone and the whole feel of the book. Like Kenny said, not really pulp/HB more crime/mystery with a little local Texas folklore thrown in but still great.

I'm wondering if Spillane's becoming a JW was a late-life conversion. Pretty sure his military service in WW2 was against the pacifist ideals of the Witnesses.

David wrote: "Simon wrote: "I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness."

I'm betting Mike Hammer wasn't, though."

If he was.. I would be buying a copy of Watchtower off him :)

People get old , shit happens , don't hold it against him . The guy is a legend

Guy wrote: ""I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness"

All I can say is WTF."


Had no idea that Spillane went all JW.
Can't explain why I find this info so ...uhhhmmmm... dispiriting.

mantan: yeah, right?


He went door-to-door. Just read that.

AndrewP wrote: "David wrote: "Simon wrote: "I can't describe how surprised I found out that Mickey Spillane was apparently a Jehovah's Witness."

I'm betting Mike Hammer wasn't, though."

If he was.. I would be bu..."

Yeah, I'm betting people wouldn't slam the door in his face!

Take that Watchtower or eat lead!

Guy wrote: "mantan: yeah, right?


He went door-to-door. Just read that."


On No!

They used to carpet bomb neighborhoods I've lived in down South.
Up North here they're scarce.

Also, the person who started reading "The Winter of Frankie Machine" will be in for a very pleasant surprise. Out of the three of Winslow's novels I've read, it's probably the "lightest" but it's also the best place to start.

If you want a book to avoid, I highly recommend steering clear of Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus. I was hoping for an informative mixture of history and science, but I got about 20% in and most of what I'd read turned out to be opinions, conjectures and glaring factual errors. Once you know the author of a non-fiction book can't get their facts straight -- easily verifiable and objectively demonstrable facts at that -- the rest of the book can be safely jettisoned.

"They used to carpet bomb neighborhoods I've lived in down South.
Up North here they're scarce."
Had a couple the other day. I wonder if they even know that Spillane was one of them. I'm still trying to get my mind around this.

"The Winter of Frankie Machine"

IMO Winslow's best: California Fire and Life

That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......sounds thrilling does it not?

I would have opened my door and said: "Jew gotta lot of Spillanen to do Mickey."

Guy wrote: ""The Winter of Frankie Machine"

IMO Winslow's best: California Fire and Life"


I totally agree! California Fire and Life is his best.
I like most of everything until his Fantastic Four/Hardboiled Surfer Toughs stuff.

Guy wrote: "mantan: yeah, right?


He went door-to-door. Just read that."

Sorry, Mantan....Guy's right. Read that a few years ago and I was floored. Truth stranger than fiction. Seemed like such a contradiction but not sure how because know so little about JW. Do know they knock on doors and give out reading material.

Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......sounds thrilling does it not?"


Amish-pulp? You are kidding, right?

L. C. Confidential good...so many characters, hard to keep up.

Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......sounds thrilling does it not?"

Yeah I'm kidding, unless.....
Amis..."

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......sounds thrilling does i..."

You know there's a reality program featuring Amish which I've never watched. So I just wasn't sure.

Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......sounds thri..."

Now you're winding me up......Amish reality, sounds fascinating - not. I think I'd sooner boil my head in a pot,

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......"

You're funny but please don't go away. I enjoy the laugh, your humor. Folks who read what we read have a unique sense of humor.

Cathy wrote: "Guy wrote: "mantan: yeah, right?


He went door-to-door. Just read that."

Sorry, Mantan....Guy's right. Read that a few years ago and I was floored. Truth stranger than fiction. Seemed like su..."

My mistake. My wife reminded me yesterday that it was only last week that we were in the village post office and came across several JW pamphlets.

They're still around.

Worse yet -they're here in the upper Hudson Valley of New York state.
Bummer.

Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get after him......"


Yeah? Well in America there's a controversial new show titled "The Amish Mafia" -it airs on the Discovery Channel, I think it is. It's about -get this: Amish E N F O R C E R S!!!

It's controversial because of claims that much of the series is "fake".
Come on!
It's a reality tv series -of course it's fake!

Have not seen this but from what I gather when Amish go bad they call for the Amish Enforcer.

The ads show a group of about 4 or 5 big biker looking guys dressed like Orthodox Jews -all in black- getting out of what looks like a black limo and scowling into the camera.

Oh my... put the children to bed before watching this series!

Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get ..."
I'm going to have to look this up now.......Amish Mafia - WTF!
Black limo - if you'd said black horse drawn Hansom, well I'd believe you,

Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off thataway, get ..."

Mantan: I just knew it existed, the Amish show, because I had seen promos on it. Never watched it. And rather doubt any JW will pipe into our discussion. Except Mickey Spillane. Picture him knocking on your door.





Wonder if he approved the cover of this one


Mickey Spillane in 1974

Col wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off..."
Wiki entry here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_Mafia

Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard and headed off..."

Cathy,

I'm basing this on memory here, but I remember reading an interview with Spillane years ago in which he discussed acceding to his wife's demand to have her naked on the cover of his next book. I believe, therefore, that the woman on the cover of The Erection Set is, in fact, Mrs. Spillane. So yes, he would have approved.

I welcome correction on this if anyone discovers I'm wrong. Like I said, this is solely based on my memory, which is not improving as I age!

Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard an..."


I'm going there after errand! Thanks, Mantan. A puzzle hopefully solved. A mystery, sorry!

David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He snipped my beard ..."

David:

Great info! Thank you and whether it's true (of course we want it to be true) or not, it's a GREAT story.

Thanks for comment and I chose a great cover, eh? I love those hard-boiled covers sometimes buying books based solely on the cover. Call me shallow. I don't care.

Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recommend.

He sni..."

That's not shallow! Shows why a great cover is important!

David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp they can recom..."

Thanks, David. You're nice. And we know how important covers are? So important that that's how I might buy a book! I'm taking another look at that cover I posted earlier knowing now what I didn't know when I posted it. I'm sure the "band-aid" was part of the cover design, too.

Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got any Amish-pulp ..."
I saw your post and was in instant agreement -
covers are very important to me (call me shallow)
whether I'm reading pulp or Victorian. Haha, the
joke was on me when I saw Mickey Spillane's
book - didn't know you were talking about THAT
TYPE of cover!!

Diane wrote: "Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "David wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Mantan wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Col wrote: "That's enough about the Witnesses - anyone got a..."

Hi Diane:

Funny you should say that because this is the pulp fiction thread as you know, and those are the covers we LOOK for! :D

I'm sure if I'm wrong, one of these fine fellows will let me know. We're most civil here and don't talk in absolutes. Hang with us!