Pulp Fiction discussion

Pulp/crime that I recently finished (last week) was Day of the Guns. It was my first non-Mike Hammer novel. I think the Matt Helm books are better for this type of spy novel. I was about 100 pages into it, thinking that Spillane seemed to have forgotten why people would read his books in the first place. It was like he didn't seem to have his heart in it.

Just finished The Far Cry (1951), by Frederic Brown. If you are looking for a slow burn with a creepy twist ending, I highly recommend it.

Adrien wrote: "Just finished The Far Cry (1951), by Frederic Brown. If you are looking for a slow burn with a creepy twist ending, I highly recommend it."

That is a good one.

Just started on The Big Bang. Billed as the missing Mike Hammer book from the 60's it certainly lives up to the description so far.

I've been enjoying some 'pulp' westerns from the 1950's Gold Medal books. Quick reads for hot summer weekends.

AndrewP wrote: "Just started on The Big Bang. Billed as the missing Mike Hammer book from the 60's it certainly lives up to the description so far."

interesting. theres a movie of that name starring antonio banderas that was released last year and in our opinion owed quite a lot to spillane, especially the movie version of kiss me deadly. it definitely wasnt a mike hammer movie anyway. a light and enjoyable film to add to your quickflix queue perhaps michael.

I just finished my first Sara Gran - Come Closer and despite not being pulpy/noiry like her other work is supposed to be I still enjoyed it. She's obviously a good writer and well worth the time to investigate.

I recently finished DEAD HARVEST by Chris Holm and really enjoyed it. Haven been reading more fantasy of late (George RR Martin) so it was nice to semi deviate for that.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I intend to read WILD THING by Josh Bazell next. Looking forward to that as BEAT THE REAPER was fantastic!

I still got 20 something pages to finish Woolrich's Black Angel. Not best Woolrich, I'm afraid. Lacks the gloominess of his best work.

After Black Angel, I will most likely read The Black Path of Fear, another one of Woolrich's so called "black" series. I've got a beautiful Avon copy of it.

Im currently reading NIGHTFALL by David Goodis and a, really enjoying it. This is the second book in the Library of America Goodis collection of 5 noir novels. I've got to say, I love this collection - there is something about a decent hardbound book with high quality print pages :-)

Recently I finished THE CUT by George Pelecanos. This is the first in a new series which features PI Spero Lucas. I think it's off to a good start. My review can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Tfitoby wrote: "I just finished my first Sara Gran - Come Closer and despite not being pulpy/noiry like her other work is supposed to be I still enjoyed it. She's obviously a good writer and well worth the time to..."

She is close friends with Megan Abbott - I've been meaning to check out some of Gran's work for a while now..

Josh wrote: She is close friends with Megan Abbott - I've been meaning to check out some of Gran's work for a while now.. "

yeah i mentioned that in my review actually, it must be hard to be a young woman writing in the genre considering most of the main authors are older men.

Alberto wrote: "Josh wrote: "Im currently reading NIGHTFALL by David Goodis

I've just finished that one. I loved it. 5 stars. Very special writing. I'm reading a similar Omnibus hardback edition as yours, o..."

Shoot The Piano Player was my first Goodis, it's amazing. I hope you love it.

I've just started WILD THING by Josh Bazell - nothing like the awesome BEAT THE REAPER so far. This one has a rather distinct pulp feel about it though. I'm liking it.

Tfitoby wrote: "Josh wrote: She is close friends with Megan Abbott - I've been meaning to check out some of Gran's work for a while now.. "

yeah i mentioned that in my review actually, it must be hard to be a you..."

Have you read DOPE by Sara Gran? It's really good. I got to see her, Megan Abbott and Vicki Hendricks talk about their favorite old noir movies when they were out here in Phoenix together for a signing several years ago. They brought film clips along for visual aid. They were a blast.

i've so far been unable to find any other Sara Gran in the perth shops but i definitely want to.

I've been listening to The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy. I wasn't all that keen on it at first, but then it really kicked into gear. Now I hate getting out of the car because I want to keep listening. The reader is pretty good, too.

I read John le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: A George Smiley Novel and loved it - it's an absolute favorite.

Centipede Press does some awesome high end books. I bought their 2 volume works of Karl Edward Wagner for Brandon & I for Xmas. This link goes to one of their pulp fiction works.
http://www.centipedepress.com/crime/c...

TALULLA RISING by Glen Duncan

Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan Awesome book Randy; hope you are enjoying it.

I just finished some 1950's pulp (PI) by Henry Kane - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... - didnt get as much out of it as I had hoped compared to other recently pulp book I read (Unfaithful Wives by Orrie Hitt) but still pleased Prologue Books took a punt in re-publishing these (even if they are mainly in ebook format).

My name is Sam and I have been hit and miss with Goodreads for a while. I just got involved with groups. I just started reading Hungary Games. I have not picked my favorite part.

Just started The Asphalt Jungle. (It was a Kindle daily deal a few weeks back for 99 cents.)

AndrewP wrote: "Just started The Asphalt Jungle. (It was a Kindle daily deal a few weeks back for 99 cents.)"

How is it Andrew? Its on my "to find" list primarily because I loved the movie.

I just finished the last of the three Jean-Patrick Manchette novels translated in to English, Three to Kill. In my opinion it's the best of the three. He's definitely worth investigating, perhaps expanding your vision of what noir can be.

I'm about to start Savage Season which will be my first Joe R. Lansdale and I'm quietly optimistic that it will be a great read.

Tfitoby wrote: "I just finished the last of the three Jean-Patrick Manchette novels translated in to English, Three to Kill. In my opinion it's the best of the three. He's definitely worth investigating, perhaps e..."

That's probably my favorite Hap and Leonard novel. You're in for a good time with it.

Tfitoby wrote: "AndrewP wrote: "Just started The Asphalt Jungle. (It was a Kindle daily deal a few weeks back for 99 cents.)"

How is it Andrew? Its on my "to find" list primarily because I loved the movie."

Half way through and I am enjoying it quite a bit. Just got to the big heist and, as I have never seen the movie, am interested to see how the second half of the book pans out. Once I have finished I will have to watch the movie too.

@Kurt - Sadly I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped.

@AndrewP - We're watching the movie again tonight as part of the noirathon, interestingly I know I really enjoyed it but I can't remember the end. So no spoilers please! :)

I just had my first Lawrence Block experience doubled with my first Hard Case Crime read - Grifter's Game - complete with the darkest ending I ever remember reading.

So I thought I'd follow that up with my second Lawrence Block and the first in his Matt Scudder series, so far so good. Larence Block is awesome.

Yesterday I finished One is a Lonely Number from . It was really good. Will likely get Black Wings finished next weekend. Highly recommended two-fer of a couple hard to find classics.

That certainly appeals. Do you think these kind of reissues reduce the collectors value of other printings? The rarity factor has been removed right?

My guess is that collectors will still look for the originals, just like the original paperbacks by Jim Thompson, David Goodis, etc. are valued. I'm wondering if Black Wings will be reissued in a mass market paperback since they're supposedly releasing a movie of it in 2013.

Tfitoby wrote: "I just had my first Lawrence Block experience doubled with my first Hard Case Crime read - Grifter's Game - complete with the darkest ending I ever remember reading.

So I thought I'd follow that u..."

First Hard Case crime ? Heh that makes me feel better i have only read 10 or so HCC books in the 2-3 years i have read the series. Its a must line for fans like us.

Read the first 2-3 Scudder if you can, the first book is pretty weak compared to book 2-4.

I'm definitely in for more Scudder and with the dozen HCC on my shelf I'm definitely in for more HCC too. Eventually.

I've got an omnibus of some of the later ones but i just cant seem to find any of the early ones anywhere. we're going to the uk in a couple of months and secondhand book shopping is hopefully going to net me some real pulp gems.

Pardon me, but . . . there are people in this group who haven't yet read a Richard Stark "Parker" novel? Egads. I need to go get a drink. Alberto, you can join me. Tfitoby, shame on you!

What pulp fiction is worth reading if not Parker?!

In the old days you had an excuse: the Parker books were damned hard to find. But now the ENTIRE series is in print from U Chicago Press. If you are a pulp/hardboiled fan, you need to NOT READ ANYTHING ELSE MEANTIME and just start reading Parker.

(Note: you do want to read this series in publication order. That means ignore the numbering in the Berkley editions, which are completely wrong.)

I do like Block, quite a lot. His stand-alones are great, and I also love the (classic, James Bond-y) "Tanner" series, as well as the wonderful "Keller" series about a very peculiar hit man. I admit I've not yet read his Scudder series (confession: I don't much like PI stuff, or procedurals) or his Rhodenbarr series (I'll read that when I finish all the Dortmunders).

Mark Nevins

Well said Mark. I have not read noir I enjoy more than Parker series !

Mark wrote: "Pardon me, but . . . there are people in this group who haven't yet read a Richard Stark "Parker" novel? Egads. I need to go get a drink. Alberto, you can join me. Tfitoby, shame on you!

What..."

I'm sorry Mark, it's just the way I buy things. I'm in Australia and I try not to buy any books published in America.

I find the artwork and the quality of bindings generally to be inferior in the new US printings.

Plus I have a thing for the older artwork and only paying for secondhand books wherever possible.

So forgive me?

Tfitoby wrote: "Mark wrote: "Pardon me, but . . . there are people in this group who haven't yet read a Richard Stark "Parker" novel? Egads. I need to go get a drink. Alberto, you can join me. Tfitoby, shame ..."

I bought second hand Parker in 2008 and they are more expensive but easy to find.

Mohammed wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Mark wrote: "Pardon me, but . . . there are people in this group who haven't yet read a Richard Stark "Parker" novel? Egads. I need to go get a drink. Alberto, you can join me. ..."

maybe in Sweden (youre in sweden right mohammed?) but i'm a regular at over a dozen secondhand shops around perth and i haven't found one yet.

Tfitoby wrote: "Mohammed wrote: "Tfitoby wrote: "Mark wrote: "Pardon me, but . . . there are people in this group who haven't yet read a Richard Stark "Parker" novel? Egads. I need to go get a drink. Alberto, y..."

Yeah I'm in Sweden but I find my second hand books online in Uk mostly. Not many real second hand stores that carry books like this.

thats where i'm struggling. being a (former) book dealer i'm trying to buy from bricks and mortar stores where possible.

Tfitoby wrote: "thats where i'm struggling. being a (former) book dealer i'm trying to buy from bricks and mortar stores where possible."

I feel the same I'm very loyal to my fav bookstore that is specialist in English language version of books. I have bought 80% of my bookstores there. I have even bought my last second hand books there. They sell only new books but will order a second hand for you if you want. I have tried PI author Reed Farell Coleman like this month. I will give them their due for shipping cost of second instead giving money to online shops.
The owner recommended me my fav living noir writer. I can't talk about the books with online shop.........

Tfitoby, if you don't buy any books published in America, I have to think you're pretty limited in what noir you can get your hands on...
Do you read Serie Noir in French translations?

I have a different cross-national problem: I love the titles offered by UK outfits like Serpent's Tail and No Exit, but the bindings are such crap the pages are usually falling out as you're leaving the shop...

I do agree that, especially for literary fiction, UK and Commwealth book covers/design are almost always much better. I also find the typefaces generally more congenial.

And drinks on me anytime any of you find yourselves in Manhattan.

Mohammed, who is your "fav living noir writer"?

You may have clarified something for me Mark, the US printings i've had real problems with were literature rather than pulp noir type stuff.

I guess so far it hasn't caused a problem because i'm not desperate for anything specific due to the 500 books ive got on my shelves that I haven't read yet.

I don't read french, sadly. i'm living off of classic penguins and pans that are on their last legs and newer reissues.

You've had problems with Serpent's Tail? I have a few bought secondhand that are still almost immaculate. The art for the Easy Rawlins series is one of my favourites.

Mohammed you are a credit to us all! I love knowing my book sellers and having a chat as I browse. It's caused a problem sometimes, they're so eager to chat that I don't get a chance to buy anything.

Violence In Velvet - Michael Avallone.

The Avallone family has launched the late author into ebooks with the first four Ed Noon novels. This was the fourth(I have the first three in original fifties paperbacks). The plan is for the entire run, as well as three previously unpublished Noons.

His Satan Sleuth series is also on the slate, with two unpublished in that one.

The Bogart movie is very very good, there's a moment half way through where your engagement with the characters flips almost completely 180 degrees only you don't notice straight away. great stuff.

decided to read Driven, so far it's not nearly as good