84 replies to this topic

[Retro Pulp]

I'd like to start a thread on the famous literary genre whose peak arguably coincided with Howard's time. Any Black Mask fans here? It would be nice to hear from fellow enthusiasts of Chandler, Hammett, Woolrich, and other luminaries of the era. Fiction of the genre from any period can also be discussed. It'd be nice to see the comments and opinions of members on authors from Poe to Lawrence Block.

[Libaax]

Im a big fan of crime mostly thanks PI Noir,other noir in Black Mask days.

Hammett is the most literary talented writer along with Dunsany,Vance i have read and top 5 fav authors of mine. His OP stories are great,most realism,hardcore PI stories there has been imo.


I like Chandler somewhat but he isnt a big fav anymore after i read Hammett. Marlow looks a poser in comparison to Hammett detectives.

Other classic Noir favs are Ross Macdonald,Jim Thompson,James M Cain.

Edited by Libaax, 06 February 2010 - 12:31 PM.

[duaneshadow]

I enjoy the classics like Chandler and Hammett. Of the more recent writers, James Ellroy and James Lee Burke float my boat.

[Libaax]

Of recent,more contemporary writers my favs are still Noir writers. Richard Stark,Donald Westlake,Ken Bruen,Elmore Leonard,George Pelecanos,James Sallis,Dennis Lehane,Tom Picirilli,Val McDermid.

James Lee Burke i havent read yet the same with Joe Lansdale.

James Ellroy didnt fit my taste, too much machoism without any elegance,subtelity.

Edited by Libaax, 06 February 2010 - 01:37 PM.

[Retro Pulp]

Nice to see fans of the genre and it's noted authors here. I'll have to catch up with most of the contemporary writers mentioned in the thread!

It's good that there are Chandler readers here. I put him in the same hallowed league as Cervantes and Dostoevsky who comprise the greatest prose stylists in fiction.

[Haemogoblin]

I'm a big fan of the Hardy Boys.

Seriously, though, I like Raymond Chandler's stuff a lot.

[Libaax]

Nice to see fans of the genre and it's noted authors here. I'll have to catch up with most of the contemporary writers mentioned in the thread!

It's good that there are Chandler readers here. I put him in the same hallowed league as Cervantes and Dostoevsky who comprise the greatest prose stylists in fiction.

I think Chandler has quality prose but i prefer the lean,sparse school of Hammett,Hemingway and co.

What do you think of Hammett's work ? Fav character ? Fav book ?

I think its a shame he had so much trouble in his private that he wrote so few books,stories. Damn that 50s communism paranoia that put in him prison. Ironic you fight and survive 2 World Wars and then you go to prison because you are seen as communist,enemy....

[Mikey_C]

I've recently been going through a real phase of reading classic crime fiction and watching film noir. I particularly appreciate the Hard Case Crime series with their gorgeous retro covers.

One writer I've discovered that I enjoy is Cornell Woolrich, (most famous for being the author of Rear Window). I was very interested to read a recent post on The Cimmerian about Woolrich's weird fiction, which I never even knew existed (thanks, Deuce! ). It's a shame that the only collection of this is out-of-print and going for such high prices.

[Fierro]

Hammet's Red Harvest is my favorite of his works. I, too, love those Hard Case crime books.

[deuce]

I dig the "Steve Harrison" series written by some dude from Texas (I think).

[Fierro]

Did Howard ever explain why he didn't like doing detective fiction?

[Libaax]

Hammet's Red Harvest is my favorite of his works. I, too, love those Hard Case crime books.

Hard Case Crime is good, Have you read Richard Stark in Hard Case Crime? He is a legendary Noir writer penname for Donald E Westlake.

Have you read Quarry books ? That was a great find in Hard Case Crime for me.

Edited by Libaax, 06 February 2010 - 10:08 PM.

[duaneshadow]

Of recent,more contemporary writers my favs are still Noir writers. Richard Stark,Donald Westlake,Ken Bruen,Elmore Leonard,George Pelecanos,James Sallis,Dennis Lehane,Tom Picirilli,Val McDermid.

James Lee Burke i havent read yet the same with Joe Lansdale.

James Ellroy didnt fit my taste, too much machoism without any elegance,subtelity.

James Lee Burke is a cut above - beautiful prose.

ellroy is the opposite, and that really is tha point of his work. Harsh and brutal prose for harsh and brutal men and stories.

[Libaax]

If you like Ellroy try Ken Bruen, a very criticly acclaimed writer from Ireland. He has great prose,literary talent,has bleak,brutal stories.

Like Ellroy+ Burke.

[duaneshadow]

If you like Ellroy try Ken Bruen, a very criticly acclaimed writer from Ireland. He has great prose,literary talent,has bleak,brutal stories.

Like Ellroy+ Burke.

cheers man, I will do that.

[Libaax]

Maybe next time we read crime,detective fiction we can write about here our thoughts,ratings.

I read crime often. I get hungry for a classic Noir or detective,cop or criminal Noir.

[Mikey_C]

Did Howard ever explain why he didn't like doing detective fiction?

I suspect it's because he hated plotting.

[Retro Pulp]

Nice to see fans of the genre and it's noted authors here. I'll have to catch up with most of the contemporary writers mentioned in the thread!

It's good that there are Chandler readers here. I put him in the same hallowed league as Cervantes and Dostoevsky who comprise the greatest prose stylists in fiction.

I think Chandler has quality prose but i prefer the lean,sparse school of Hammett,Hemingway and co.

What do you think of Hammett's work ? Fav character ? Fav book ?

I think its a shame he had so much trouble in his private that he wrote so few books,stories. Damn that 50s communism paranoia that put in him prison. Ironic you fight and survive 2 World Wars and then you go to prison because you are seen as communist,enemy....

I consider Hammett more of an influence and a pioneer than a great author. He's a good writer and he could pen memorable tales like "The Girl with the Silver Eyes". For me his greatest contribution is the legacy he left to authors who followed him, like Chandler, who perfected the genre to heights unsurpassed since.

Maybe Hammett ended up like Rimbaud and just lost the interest to write? Perhaps he had nothing more to say. Alcohol may have also affected his creativity.

[Retro Pulp]

Good posts all. I highly recommend to those who don't have a copy yet to check out The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps. Perhaps the best and most comprehensive collection of the genre from it's golden age.

The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps

Edited by Retro Pulp, 07 February 2010 - 01:26 PM.

[Libaax]

Nice to see fans of the genre and it's noted authors here. I'll have to catch up with most of the contemporary writers mentioned in the thread!

It's good that there are Chandler readers here. I put him in the same hallowed league as Cervantes and Dostoevsky who comprise the greatest prose stylists in fiction.

I think Chandler has quality prose but i prefer the lean,sparse school of Hammett,Hemingway and co.

What do you think of Hammett's work ? Fav character ? Fav book ?

I think its a shame he had so much trouble in his private that he wrote so few books,stories. Damn that 50s communism paranoia that put in him prison. Ironic you fight and survive 2 World Wars and then you go to prison because you are seen as communist,enemy....

I consider Hammett more of an influence and a pioneer than a great author. He's a good writer and he could pen memorable tales like "The Girl with the Silver Eyes". For me his greatest contribution is the legacy he left to authors who followed him, like Chandler, who perfected the genre to heights unsurpassed since.

Maybe Hammett ended up like Rimbaud and just lost the interest to write? Perhaps he had nothing more to say. Alcohol may have also affected his creativity.

Heh i dont agree about Hammett, i agree with people in the mainstream lit world who see him as one of the most important American writers of 20th Century. He isnt really the pioneer,there was a writer before him in PI noir. He is just the most important of the early ones. Heh i feel the opposite you feel for Chandler and Hammett. Chandler style but not much substance stories,characters wise.

He didnt lose interest i have read his bio, he had sickness,wars,prison. He wrote books in 50s,60s but he got too sick to finish them.

Edited by Libaax, 07 February 2010 - 02:06 PM.