Pulp Books

This very short books is a series of monologues by Franny, a gay man who embraces the role of "queen" not only by wearing what might be considered feminine clothing but also by protecting and teaching other gay men to accept themselves and not hide from the world around them. The monologues begin in 1950 when Franny is just accepting who he is and learning to become part of his community. The monologue chronical Franny's life for four decades as he interacts with dragqueens, butch gay men, lesbians, politicos, and intellectuals who come to view Franny as a staple and inspiring force in their lives. No explicit sexuality at all but a serious of honest and common spoken pieces representing the changes gay men and the mainstream culture around them experience post WWII. Often considered one of the best gay novels in American literature.

Horsing around in aid of nudity.


4 out of 5

Robert J. Hogan is best known as the author of the G-8 and his Battle Aces series -- pretty predictable chase'em around and shoot'em up stuff. this ia a bvery interesting change -- with a locale in the puebelos of the American southwest, it reads more like a good Doc Savage than a "yellow peril" knock-off.

Walter Makin leaves college early when an offer in theatre beckons, at about the same time as the outbreak of WWII. So begins his remarkable career in theatre and film production; hailed as "Boy Wonder", he goes from success to success, a creative genus destined to be publicly honoured by the performing arts world.
His private life is somewhat different. Attracted to young boys, he is `saved' from a debauched life when he meets the formidable Clara, sole heir to the Washburn fortunes. Walter is fascinated by the challenge, and Clara is taken by his strong character and his physical prowess, not to mention the prodigious endowment kept between his legs. She is under no illusions, while she recognises the potential for greatness in the nineteen year old Walter, she is also aware of his fondness for other boys, but is convinced she can cure him of his deviant ways.
The story follows Walters's life, his eventual marriage to Clara and the reaction of Clara's wealthy and influential father to the union. David, his first boss and later his partner and constant and understanding friend is ever in the background ready to step in whenever needed. Despite his marriage Walter has several passionate affairs with other boys and men, including the physically near perfect model Mark; Jerry, his own illegitimate and flamboyant son; and Tom Jennings, the young writer he falls for at first sight. Clara though is ever determined to spoil these dalliances, with varying degrees of success.
This is a full blown romantic novel, heavy on the M/M passion, detailed and graphic in its descriptions of the love making. Walter is, as are all the men in his life, handsome and desirable as well as being blessed with an ever youthful appearance. Clara is dignified, forceful and practical. The men in Walter's life are, unlike Walter himself, happy and confident with their chosen love life. It all makes for a very involving and captivating story, perhaps a little over done at times especially the frequent terms of endearment exchanged between Walter and his male lovers, but nonetheless a very moving story.

Fans of Silverberg and anybody interested in the 1950s SF scene should definitely check this out. For the most part the stories are fun and move along briskly, and each is preceded by an epigraph or short essay in which Silverberg talks about his early career and sheds light on his writing techniques and his relationships with SF magazines, their editors, and other SF writers in the 1950s.

King Pulp is a reaveling biography of Quentin Tarantino(movie wise). The book tells many interesting facts that even the most hardcore Tarantino followers will hear for the first time. Though the book tells alot about his movies,It should have gone more indepth about the man behind them. There are many very cool photos of him on the job and pictures from his movies. A must read for any Tarantino devotee.

In this slim volume of outrageously humorous essays, Nickerson offers his life up in all its queer glory. From eating bananas on an airplane to how exactly to clean one's dildos to other uses for a baby's changing table, he makes us laugh with his zany tales and keeps us anticipating his next comic feat. Easily compared to Michael Thomas Ford and Kirk Read, Billeh Nickerson is a fresh wry voice giving life a tweak.

Martial alien monkeymen moonside misappropriation recovery.


3 out of 5

This is a sequel to "The Defective Detective in the Pulps", published in 1983 and featuring the first outrageous (?) selection of detective stories drawn from weird menace pulp magazines of the '30s and '40s. As in the previous volume, which I'd also recommend, the focus is on handicapped detectives, people who can miss bits of their bodies, but certainly none of their wits! You will meet, among other things, a dead hand, a detective who's so strong that he can tear human beings apart (and is now regretfully accused of homicide), another who's called "The Bleeder" because of his rare affliction, and Peter Quest, whose unfulfilled quest is one for death. Authors include Russell Gray, John Kobler, and Edith & Ejler Jacobson, while the book itself is a facsimile reproduction of the old magazines -not crumbling under your fingers this time! Illustrations and ads are kept in the book, while the thoroughly satisfying Editors' preface provides you with all the facts you want to know. Not certainly for all tastes, but a must for pulp fiction collectors, crime enthusiasts and readers of Americana.

Everyone keeps telling Jimmy Christopher, Operator 5, that he is the sharpest tool in the shed. He doesn't get a big head, but does end up getting his family kidnapped a bunch.

Here, the Masked Menace types are using cosmic rays to make a negative ray (anybody think Stan Lee read this?), that is basically an EMP. They inflict this on the USA at regular intervals, creating havoc.

An Oriental supervillain named Loo Kang is also running around, so, of course, Jimmy must indulge in more than one bout of theatrical edged weapon combat with him. Why he is known, and the other guys, the Red Master, etc., are Masked, is not quite clear.

All the bigwigs love Jimmy in the end, for saving their rich arses again, but neglect to give him any cash.

Lucky for them, Operator 5 is such a swell patriotic guy.