I've read a couple of books from Ted Lewis in the past, most notably GET CARTER, which was also an iconic film starring Michael Caine.
He wrote nine books in his lifetime, three in the Jack
Carter series, which kind of puzzles me because I’m fairly sure Michael Caine
dies at the end of the 1971 film. I can’t recall the ending of the book well
enough to set my mind straight.
There's a more detailed article on the man and his books, from Brian Greene over at Allan Guthrie's Noir Originals site - here.
Boldt
HE’S BAD, HE’S BLUE, HE’S BOLDT…
A veteran cop, with a laid-back attitude and too many lean
years on the force. Until his politician brother tours the old neighbourhood –
and is marked for death.
When a celebrated hitman swings into town, Boldt was sure he
had his thug. But the cops order him to back off, the Mafia offers him a gig –
and Boldt isn't sure of anything anymore.
Except murder.
The Rabbit
“Mr Lewis has left gangsterland for a real landscape in what
is perhaps his best book so far.”
THE TIMES
The author of the JACK CARTER thrillers turns his skill in a
new direction with this harshly moving story of a teenage boy’s sexual
awakening.
“Mr Lewis’s account of the stumbling failures of early
sexual encounters exactly catches that mixture of the ludicrous and the passionately
painful which most of us can remember.”
SUNDAY TIMES
Col - I remember hearing of that film, but it's one of Caine's that I haven't seen (I probably should, as I like his acting). It's interesting that Carter took himself into such a different direction with The Rabbit.
ReplyDeleteMargot, the film was re-made in 2000 with a US audience in mind, starring Sylvester Stallone. Caine had a small part in it. I've not seen this one myself - not great reviews TBH.
DeleteI think Lewis' first book and The Rabbit are kind of non-crime, while all the rest are quite grim and gritty - my cup of tea then!
Well you did warn me yesterday that I'd be seeing that cover again soon. Somehow I don't think I'll be sampling this author's works just yet....
ReplyDeleteFair enough - maybe if you need a mid-70's book, give me a shout.....
DeleteLewis died in 1982 whilst only in his early 40's.
ReplyDeleteAstonishing when you consider all that he managed to do.
A real shame when you think of all the books he never got the chance to write
DeleteI'd really like to read his work. Get Carter is a fantastic film. Was the original novel English or did they adapt it to England for the film?
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to read his work. Get Carter is a fantastic film. Was the original novel English or did they adapt it to England for the film?
ReplyDeleteNo Ted Lewis and his books were 100% English....like fish and chips!
DeleteCol, I'm familiar with these books. Although I have never read them I might have seen the Michael Caine film. I have a couple of old Get Carter comics (Dell) that I'm holding on to.
ReplyDeleteThe film gets re-shown every year or two on one channel or other. I never knew it had been turned into a comic though!
DeleteCol, my mistake! I confused Get Carter with some other comic-book. Not John Carter but something else from Dell. Turns out it's not the same as Ted Lewis books.
DeleteNo problem - thanks for the update though.
DeleteI have not read any books by Ted Lewis, I am not sure if I will add him to my list of authors to read. I do think I liked Get Carter (the film).
ReplyDeleteMight be a bit too hard, but as long as you watched the film - your Ted Lewis box is ticked!
Delete