Spillane, King of Pulp Fiction: A Review
A biography on the famed crime novelist Mickey Spillane
Spillane: King of Pulp Fiction was published in 2022, written by Max Allan Collins (MAC) and James L. Traylor. Each page reveals the man (and myth) that made up Frank Morrison Spillane on his journey to being a comic book writer, novelist, actor, screenwriter, producer, and all out entertainer.
From an early age, Spillane showed interest in the written word. He devoured everything he could sink his teeth into, reading everything from adventure books to classic literature. He quickly outranked his classmates in terms of reading ability.
“When I was a little kid,” he said, “we had moved into a school where there was a library that ran underneath the windows—and I remember the teacher saying, ‘Children, someday you’ll be able to read this book,’ and she held up a copy of Moby-Dick. And I said to the teacher, ‘I like this book!’ She says to me, ‘You certainly didn’t read this book!’ And I said, ‘Call me Ishmael.’ She could never get over that!” - Spillane
MAC and Traylor cover all grounds, not just recounting Spillane’s life and career but also including his extensive body of work. His creation of Mike Hammer, the hardboiled, hard-hitting detective, and the series of novels based on the character, are also explored in the book.
Each novel is highlighted, detailing the impact they had on the Mystery genre and the reading public with its use of sex and violence that caused controversy among his critics and made him a bestseller among his fans. The biography covers Spillane’s career in the movie business as a screenwriter and actor, along with his love/hate relationship with the Hollywood machine, recounting the many adventures of adapting Mike Hammer to the big screen. A favorite chapter of mine.
From the first page of the introduction, I could sense this was a true labor of love for the authors. It is an honest account of his struggles, setbacks, career successes, and even offers up funny anecdotes such as a feud between Spillane and Ernest Hemingway.
Spillane became one of America’s first celebrity writers, rivaling Ernest Hemingway, if lacking the critical respect afforded that other man’s man. A restaurant in the Florida Keys displayed a framed photo of regular customer Hemingway; when Spillane dropped by, he was asked for a picture and it too went up on the wall. On his next visit, Hemingway demanded, “Take him down or take me down!” Down came Hemingway.
And for all you fiction writers who may be reading this…
Below is a list of quotes from Spillane on his attitude towards writing.
Mickey Spillane on Writing:
“Critics don’t decide anything. Publishers don’t decide. The public is the one who decides everything.”
“Nobody reads a book to get to the middle”
“The first page sells this book. The last page sells your next book.”
“All you need is a typewriter, $3 worth of paper and a mailbox and you’re in business.”
“Authors want their names down in history; I want to keep the smoke coming out the chimney.”
This book is one of the most informative and entertaining biographies I’ve read in a long time. If you’re a fan of Spillane’s work or love reading about larger-than-life figures and how they build their careers, then go pick up a copy.
You won’t regret it.
Frank, I already have too many books... you've got to stop doing this.
This is thought-provoking.
As much as I love pulp fiction, I’m always discerning which writers are still worth reading today. Someone like Bradbury surely transcended the movement. Same goes probably for Raymond Chandler. Others, like David Goodis, tried to explore morality and human failings within the noir framework.
I’m not coming at this as a literary snob but simply as a Christian. For example, the classic noir tale is just a retelling of Adam & Eve’s fall--cautionary tales that thrill, entertain, and illustrate the dangers of sin.
With guys like Spillane, I’m not sure if he’s only popular because he was that era’s “edgy” writer willing to challenge the acceptable bounds of morality at the time. (I’m thinking specifically of the subversive vs “superversive,” if you’re familiar).
I’m rambling, but this is always my challenge in how to conduct my life as both a reader and writer of faith. Very difficult to discern and probably a topic worthy of its own blog.
Excellent piece, as always, Frank.