Synopsis/blurb….
A
crime noir gem from 1964 by Science Fiction Grand Master Robert Silverberg.
Love
'em... and leave 'em. That is small-time criminal Jimmy Henstall's first rule
in life, as he travels all over the country, going from one woman to another,
and robbing gas stations and stores for money.
After
a painful break-up with Maureen, the woman he loved for years, he now makes
women fall in love with him, and then leaves them heartbroken just the way he
was.
Until
he meets Helena, the passionate blonde, in a hotel bar, and the table gets
turned...
My second recent read from newish kids on the block, 280 Steps after last month’s amazing The Red Right Hand. Pickup has an interesting introduction which provides
some background on the author’s history in the genre of racey-titillating pulp
paperbacks.
Pickup
was
a quick read, done in a few hours. Our main character, Jimmy we soon discover
is not likeable or sympathetic; he’s a cold-blooded killer who is looking out
for only one person. Whilst he’s despicable, he’s never less than interesting
to read about. A small part of me has some sympathy for him as we discover his
back story, but when the real Jimmy Henstall emerges from under his mask of
normality that soon wanes.
Fifty years on from its original publication the sex
scenes here are a wee bit tame by today’s standards. Still fun to read though.
The storyline followed a similar path to another book I
read last month – John Lutz’s debut The Truth of the Matter. A little bit
of deja-vous for me but enjoyable nonetheless.
Robert Silverberg is much better known for his science fiction/fantasy books. A website dedicated to his writing is here.
4 from 5
Thanks to Kjetil
at 280 Steps for this one.
I like the cover. But something tells me I might find this too much of its time... glad you enjoyed it though.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover art, I think all the 280 books are striking. Text wasn't too shabby either - maybe when Rich does 1964?
DeleteCol, I didn't know Robert Silverberg wrote crime novels. I know about him as an sf writer. I have been meaning to read his work.
ReplyDeleteI think he published a few as Don Elliott, not sure if the rest were more "sex" type books. see attached link, https://vintagesleazepaperbacks.wordpress.com/category/don-elliott/
DeleteCol - Thanks for sharing this. Like Prashant, I didn't know SIlverberg wrote crime fiction. Interesting. Not sure this is for me, but I respect authors who try out new genres.
ReplyDeleteA lot of authors seemed to bash out books around one a month back in the heyday of the paperback pulp market. Lawrence Block was another who wrote a lot for the adult market back in the early 60's.
DeleteI'm another one who didn't know he ventured into crime - interesting. Not sure whether this one sounds like my kind of thing though, but I'm intrigued...
ReplyDeleteIt's a relatively short book and a quick read, so not too much of an investment time-wise, if you want to give it a go.
DeleteThe length is good but not sure the book is for me. (I saw one copy of the paperback edition on ABEBOOKs for 200 dollars. If I could get that one I would.) I would go with his science fiction instead. I read his books / stories many years ago and like them.
ReplyDeleteI think $200 is a bit steep for a paperback, but I reckon you might grow your money if you held onto it for a few years! I've heard of him in respect of sci-fi, but it's never been a genre that really appealed to me.
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