Friday, June 11, 2010

Paperback 323: The Hate Merchant / Niven Busch (Bantam A1204)

Paperback 323: Bantam A1204 (1st ptg, 1954)

Title: The Hate Merchant
Author: Niven Busch
Cover artist: Harry Schaare

Yours for: $11


Best things about this cover:
  • "Hate for sale! Get your fresh hot hate here!"
  • I like the drunk guy inciting the mob while doing an impression of Gene Kelly in 'Singin' in the Rain' — "What a glorious feeling, I'm h- ... Hey, look everybody. It's the giant floating head of Broderick Crawford! Get him!"
  • That is the cock-teasiest cover picture I've seen in a long time. Look at her giving him the coy look and hiking up her skirt: "What? Oh, you want some of this ... this creamy, smooth thigh? Do you? Fat chance you stupid schlub! Call me when you get a real job!" "Why I oughta..." "Oh, your impotent rage is comical." Etc.
  • Design fail: wraparound cover that doesn't. Why in the world do you put the blue frame down the left side when the painting actually *continues* around to the spine and back cover. It's called a 'wrap-around' for a reason, and you have totally blown the effect, jackasses.

Best things about this back cover:
  • "Frank!"
  • Thank god for the parenthetical "Ala." in the review; otherwise, how would we know which prestigious "Advertiser" was responsible for this blurbing gem?
  • The mob action is much better on the back cover. More dynamic stick-wielders, more clearly suffering bodies.

Page 123~

Pros nodded. He reached for the bottle, but Splane moved it out of the way.

This is what happens when you let your 4-yr-old daughter name the characters in your book.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter]

4 comments:

Deb said...

Craig T. Nelson IS Karl Malden as Broderick Crawford in "The Hate Merchant"!

Rex Parker said...

Nice.

Tulse said...

I have absolutely no idea what this novel is about. The cover tagline and back blurb provide no details whatsoever. Is he a union boss, is this about racial tension, are people upset that they've been sold inferior clubs? What the heck is the story here?

Anonymous said...

It is about a leader of an American church. Read it in the 50s, good book.