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.
I get what you mean. You may want to read the biography. They touch on how shocking his books were for the time, but reading them now is pretty tame compared to stuff coming out now. Spillane was a master storyteller and I think his work still holds up pretty well.
Frank, I already have too many books... you've got to stop doing this.
Haha! Wait till next month, my man. More recommendations coming.
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.
I get what you mean. You may want to read the biography. They touch on how shocking his books were for the time, but reading them now is pretty tame compared to stuff coming out now. Spillane was a master storyteller and I think his work still holds up pretty well.
I’d also like to revisit Spillane’s fiction.
tl:dr that old Catholic Guilt coming back.
I first came across Mikey Spillane in the 80s when Mike Hammer was on TV.
I still love a good old detective story.
Can't wait to dig into this one
Got early shit by MICKEY SPILLANE. And he def was a GAME CHANGER.
Right on, my man. He was a trendsetter and I've studied some of his chapters closely.
i second this