Michael Robison wrote:
> I've been picking up on a few of the Vin Packer Gold
Medals and
> I got curious about the paperback revolution that
started after WWII
> so I bought a used book called OVER MY DEAD BODY
that's
> about paperbacks in the decade following the war. I
just got it
> today. It's beautiful. Beautiful pictures of the
covers. A lot of
> variety.
>
> miker
OVER MY DEAD BODY was written by Lee Server, whose
ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF PULP FICTION WRITERS was mentioned a while
back. This, and his Robert Mitchum bio BABY I DON'T CARE, are
well worth reading - he's a good writer in total command of
his material.
Mention of Breece D'J Pancake reminds me that Tom Waits, when
asked the question of what he was currently reading/who was
his favorite writer (I forget the exact query), answered
'Breece D'J Pancake'. The interviewer was nonplussed by the
answer, suspecting a put-on, so rapidly moved to another
topic.
Which brings me to the topic of recommendations by authors.
I've found that Anthony Boucher and John D MacDonald were
usually on the money with their quotes on books, but whom to
trust nowadays? Elmore Leonard used to be reliable, but now
seems to spray his quotes everywhere. Stephen King is also
famously incontinent in his praise. Writers obviously form a
loose community and friendships within it, and publishers
have books to sell, but what authors do rara avians find
useful and trustworthy when faced with an unknown author or
book?
Nigel
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