Pulp Fiction discussion

Nancy wrote: "Currently reading (or at least I will be when my company leaves Tuesday): His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae Burnet, and I Was Jack Mortimer, by Alexander Lernet-H..."

One of my all time favorite movies where I do not care if I am not quite following what in the world is going on. I really need to read the book.

Bill wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Currently reading (or at least I will be when my company leaves Tuesday): His Bloody Project, by Graeme Macrae Burnet, and I Was Jack Mortimer, by Alex..."

I definitely am planning to watch the movie after finishing the novel.

As I mentioned in message 1780, I bought several Fastback Mysteries by accident while trying to get books by Dan J. Marlowe. I read 2 more of them & liked them a lot. They're basically short stories. The Devlin Affair was an ex-FBI agent turned PI called back to do a job that goes sour. I gave it 4 stars in my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Comeback wasn't a mystery at all. It's about a baseball pitcher. I don't even like baseball, but the story was great. I gave it 4 stars in my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished both books : His Bloody Project, which was excellent, centering on a crime in Scotland in 1869; also I Was Jack Mortimer, which I also liked. Why it gets such low ratings on goodreads is beyond me. Movie should be here tomorrow.

Going to give Murder in Stained Glass by Margaret Armstrong a try. Thought it would be a nice separation following the Automatic Detective read.

Bill wrote: "Going to give Murder in Stained Glass by Margaret Armstrong a try. Thought it would be a nice separation following the Automatic Detective read."

I read that book some time ago. If you enjoy whodunnits, it's okay.

Nancy wrote: "Bill wrote: "Going to give Murder in Stained Glass by Margaret Armstrong a try. Thought it would be a nice separation following the Automatic Detective read."

I read that book some..."

Thanks, Nancy. Just saw that a lot of folks enjoyed it, so thought I would give it a try. My wife really enjoys the cozy mystery books and I dabble in them from time to time and we both enjoy a nosy sleuth. It is definitely different than my recent reads, so hopefully I enjoy it. Not totally hooked on Miss Trumbull yet. Usually I connect early on in the books with the main character when starting a new one, but I will give it a go.

About to start The Hunter. My first Parker read and I cannot wait to get started. My first Westlake book was a gem, so looking forward to this one.

I just finished "Build My Gallows High".

I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Still, the movie version eclipses the novel in this case. It's probably a result of seeing Mitchum in the titular role ("Out of the Past") at least ten times before trying the book.

Bill wrote: "About to start The Hunter. My first Parker read and I cannot wait to get started. My first Westlake book was a gem, so looking forward to this one."

Good choice Bill.

Started reading How To Kill Friends And Implicate People .

Read Two-Way Split & Bust on the weekend. Both excellent.

Brief review for 'Two-Way Split' here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Paul wrote: "Bill wrote: "About to start The Hunter. My first Parker read and I cannot wait to get started. My first Westlake book was a gem, so looking forward to this one."

Good choice Bill."

I am about a third in. Enjoying it and I have heard that there are books in this series that might be better than the first. Even if it stayed at this level, I would without a doubt read the entire series.

Bill wrote: "Paul wrote: "Bill wrote: "About to start The Hunter. My first Parker read and I cannot wait to get started. My first Westlake book was a gem, so looking forward to this one."

Good ch..."

Glad you are enjoying it Bill. I would recommend Slayground & The Sour Lemon Score .
But any of the original first 16 in the series are worth reading. I've read all 24. The Hunter, twice.

Algernon wrote: "I just finished "Build My Gallows High".

I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Still, the movie version eclipses the novel in this case. It'..."

I enjoyed both book and movie, but they did change the film quite a bit.

Nancy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "I just finished "Build My Gallows High".

I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Still, the movie version eclipses the novel ..."

I don't remember the New York sequence at all from the film, and it's essentail in the novel.

Nancy wrote: "Algernon wrote: "I just finished "Build My Gallows High".

I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Still, the movie version eclipses the novel ..."

In my opinion, this book/film is one of the best examples of what the American ideal woman/femme fatale contrast is all about. The great Jacques Tourneur directed the film. He suggests Jeff is a kind of Huck Finn, someone who cannot choose safety and peace; there is another kind of freedom than the American Dream that he needs-- one that is very dark. See my review here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulp-A...

I never watched the film, but Against All Odds was a sort of remake of Out of the Past (scroll down):

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/361/Ou...

Even with that information, I'm still not tempted to watch it.

Night Squad. This one has been one I've wanted to get to for a while.

It shouldn't be too hard in the Black Lizard trade pbk. See ABE books.

Night Squad
Jay wrote: "It shouldn't be too hard in the Black Lizard trade pbk. See ABE books."
I blinked Jay and popped for the $0.99 Kindle Edition. About a third of the way through. Started kind of "meh" with some bio of the main character, but then Goodis took it to a level where I cannot put it down. I will still track down a paperback copy for the ever expanding library that grows like moss in our house as this is one I can see returning to.

Bill, some do not think it's one of Goodis' best, but I do. It isn't often a vicious gang boss needs the novel's protagonist as a kind of son-he-never-had.

Just finished Nightmare Alley, which I enjoyed a lot. The mix of unalloyed cynicism with creepiness was unique, and the ending was perfect. At a few spots it brought to mind Elmer Gantry. It's also apparent it influenced a few real life hucksters (ie, Anton Lavey).

The Kill-Off by Jim Thompson is next on the agenda.

Damnotion wrote: "Just finished Nightmare Alley, which I enjoyed a lot. The mix of unalloyed cynicism with creepiness was unique, and the ending was perfect. At a few spots it brought to mind Elmer Gantry. It's also..."

Nightmare Alley is so very good. Everyone should read that book.

Almost finished No Tomorrow . Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake Hinkson doesn't do 'happy endings'.

Paul wrote: "Almost finished No Tomorrow. Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake Hinkson does..."

Neither does Cain.

If there's a happy ending, it's probably not noir haha!!

Hinkson is one of my favorite, and No Tomorrow is great.

Nancy wrote: "Paul wrote: "Almost finished No Tomorrow. Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake..."

True

Richard wrote: "If there's a happy ending, it's probably not noir haha!!

Hinkson is one of my favorite, and No Tomorrow is great."

Mine too Richard. I've read several of his books now & 'enjoyed' everyone.

Depends on who is happy and what his/her's inner self is
like, in all its muddy complexity -- if the writer is good enough to show that. Of course, in some cases, like Thompson's Nothing Man, the publisher forces a hopeful ending. It often happens in film adaptations of novels.

I decided to start my October Horrorfest a bit early and picked up the first Hap & Leonard book by Joe R Lansdale :

The first couple of chapters are more comedy than horror, but I expect things to take a turn for Hell soon. Easy money? Buried treasure in the swamp? bonus a hot momma wanting to jump right into your bed? A sure thing , Mr. Hap Collins!

Algernon wrote: "I decided to start my October Horrorfest a bit early and picked up the first Hap & Leonard book by Joe R Lansdale :

The first couple of chapters are more comedy tha..."

Just recently became aware of Joe R. Lansdale and his Hap and Leonard series because of the IFC TV series (loved the first season!).

I've got the first two books Savage Season and Mucho Mojo on order.

Algernon wrote: "I decided to start my October Horrorfest a bit early and picked up the first Hap & Leonard book by Joe R Lansdale :

The first couple of chapters are more comedy tha..."

Not really any horror in the 'Hap & Leonard' books. More 'buddy-noir'.
I've read several of these now & they are great fun. Although i'm not sure i would read the whole series, as i would rather read something different & unique than read variations of the same story, with the same characters.

Paul wrote: "Almost finished No Tomorrow. Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake Hinkson does..."

This was one of my favorite reads of the year.

Hinkson consistently impresses me as one of the best "new" hard-boiled authors around.

Still wrote: "Paul wrote: "Almost finished No Tomorrow. Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake..."

Still wrote: "Paul wrote: "Almost finished No Tomorrow. Seems like Hinkson's homage to Jame's M. Cains 'The Postman Always Rings Twice'.
Good, but harrowing. Jake..."

Totally agree!! I was trying to work out if i enjoyed this more than the other Hinkson novels i've read. But it seems to me it's irrelevant & they each stand on their own merits.

Paul wrote: . Totally agree!! I was trying to work out if i enjoyed this more than the other Hinkson novels i've read. But it seems to me it's irrelevant & they each stand on their own merits."

I think if Jake Hinkson's novels had been published back in the 1950s-1960s people would be discussing his work and ranking him right up there with Gil Brewer, Harry Whittington, and all the other paperback original greats.

It's not often you come across a contemporary author as talented as Jake Hinkson.
When does Hinkson get the Harlan Coben treatment from the big shot publishing houses as far $$$$ goes?

He's the superior writer.

Still wrote: "Paul wrote: . Totally agree!! I was trying to work out if i enjoyed this more than the other Hinkson novels i've read. But it seems to me it's irrelevant & they each..."

Agree.
Started & for some light relief, after reading a few harrowing stories lately.

Not familiar with O'Neill at all.
I like Lansdale quite a bit.

Jay wrote: "Bill, some do not think it's one of Goodis' best, but I do. It isn't often a vicious gang boss needs the novel's protagonist as a kind of son-he-never-had."

Indeed, Jay. I have not connected all the dots yet in this novel, but like you say, the story stands out as a bit different. Instead of stark twists throughout the story, Goodis takes you around large slow curves and you do not realize that you are heading in a different direction until it's too late. And I just LOVE the Carp character!

Still wrote: "Not familiar with O'Neill at all.
I like Lansdale quite a bit."

I've only read one other book by O'Neill Still; Down and Out on Murder Mile , but he writes grit lit/neo-pulp. Lots of drugs & street 'stuff'. Good.

Tom wrote: "Damnotion wrote: "Tried James Elroy once, found him unreadable. Might revisit him someday. .."
Ellroy has an irritating way of writing, jumping from thought to thought, not sticking to the subject at hand, and is often confusing as hell. After three pages of assuming I'm still reading about Mickey Cohen's bodyguards, I realize that he threw in the crooked cop (right out of left field).


I get that. Some of his books are out there but L.A. Confidential and The Black Da..."</i>

7 and [book:The Blenjoyed a lot. The mix of unalloyed cynicism with creepiness was unique, and the ending was perfect. At a few spots it brought to mind Elmer Gantry. It's also..."

If you want to read a gorier and racier version of the book, pick up the graphic novel. Unlike the novel (of course) it graphically depicts the scenes, and unlike the movie (which, dont get me wrong, was a great film) leaves nothing to the imagination.

Richard wrote: "If there's a happy ending, it's probably not noir haha!!

Hinkson is one of my favorite, and No Tomorrow is great."

Re happy endings: sometimes in real life there are no happy endings, so when that concept is echoed in literature, it makes a book more realistic.

Frank wrote: "
Ellroy has an irritating way of writing, jumping from thought to thought, not sticking to ..."

Admittedly, some of the things I've heard or read Elroy speak about (ranging from police bootlicking to dismissive remarks about Jim Thompson) may have prejudiced me against him a bit, but the little I read put me in mind of someone trying too hard to be hardnosed (as opposed to the ease of someone like Hammett), while paradoxically slipping into easy sentimentality. Again, though, this was my impression from a long time ago and might be unwarranted.

Frank wrote: "
If you want to read a gorier and racier version of the book, pick up the graphic novel. Unlike the novel (of course) it graphically depicts the scenes, and unlike the movie (which, dont get me wrong, was a great film) leaves nothing to the imagination. ..."

I haven't seen Nightmare Alley yet.

I did find a film adaptation (youtube) of a book I read this year and enjoyed a lot , Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye. It's reasonably faithful, except for the Hayes Code bringing about a complete and amusing change in character to one of the main female characters

"I haven't seen Nightmare Alley yet. "

Oh my god, you're in for a treat. The book is way better, but I love that movie.

Just finished M. Ruth Myers Shamus in a Skirt: A Maggie Sullivan Mystery about a week ago, and then surprised to see the next book is already out this week! Maggie Sullivan is the daughter of Dayton, Ohio policeman who, were he alive 'today', would likely be displeased, but more than a little proud too of how his daughter has been able to not only survive, but thrive as a detective for hire. Stories are set in the late-1930s and starting into the early 1940s.

My review of Shamus in a Skirt is here

The Kill-Off is the 1st Thompson I've not been very enthusiastic about. While not completely devoid of merit, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone but a JT completist.

The Empty Trap by John D MacDonald will be my next genre read after I finish some other things.

The Long Goodbye though I may shelve it and roll into this month's selection.

I've just started listening to Darktown. Set in the late 1940s , it is based on the first black officers to serve on the Atlanta Police Department. The restrictions they had to work under were compounded by the total lack of respect and cooperation they received from their white counterparts. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a police officer who couldn't even count on his fellow officers to cover his back.

Finished High Life a couple of weeks ago, but it's taken this long to 'digest' it.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished Wild at Heart as part of the Sailor & Lula: The Complete Novels omnibus. Now it's time for a break and I started my first Elmore Leonard ever with 52 Pick Up. Decided to pick a story I didn't already know by tv or moviescript. Great read so far.

Frank wrote: "Just finished Wild at Heart as part of the Sailor & Lula: The Complete Novels omnibus. Now it's time for a break and I started my first Elmore Leonard ever with [book:52..."

After you finish the book you might want to check the movie version. I thought it was quite good.