Sunday, June 12, 2011

Paperback 424: K.O. Technique / Peter Randa (Editions Fleuve Noir 424)

Paperback 424: Editions "Fleuve Noir" 424 (PBO? 1964?)

Title: K.O. Technique
Author: Peter Randa
Cover artist: [Michel Gourdon]

Yours for: $12

EFN424.KOTech

Best things about this cover:
  • "My K.O. Technique, c'est Magnifique!"
  • Took me a while to realize "technique" here was "technical," as in "TKO"
  • Randa was an exceedingly prolific French crime and sci-fi writer of the mid-20th century. There is apparently an illustrated edition of this book out there ... somewhere.
  • Despite its lack of boobs and guns, I kinda like this cover. Unusually soft tones. Old-timey boxing glove and old-timey money. It's pretty, dark, and retro all at the same time.
  • "Fleuve Noir" = "black river"

EFN424bc.KOTech

Best things about this back cover:
  • I can't believe that by the mid-60s, the French weren't better at back-cover come-ons than this. It's so ... polite. And formal. Why In The World Should I Read "Pascaline," Frenchy? What's it about!? Try harder!

Page 123~

Je comprends maintenant pourquoi on a tiré sur toi.

[Now I understand why they shot at you.]

"I mean, I've only known you two minutes and I already want to strangle you a little."

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

5 comments:

Brian Busby said...

Regarding the back cover, I'm betting that the folks at les Éditions Fleuve Noir thought Yves Dermèze's name alone was enough to sell Pascaline.

That said, the ever polite recommendation does seem to belong to a much earlier time.

borky said...

Is it me, or does the cover's boxing glove seem to be saying, he could punch like a mule, but his dick was only that big?

Either that or it explains why whoever shot at him missed - the shooters were Crab People.

Anonymous said...

Front cover = mittens of death? Seriously, how far up the arm do boxing gloves need to go here?!

Brian Busby said...

Anon, I believe these are what is known as "opera boxing gloves".

Marla said...

I like the way the "i" is dotted, even though they are all uppercase letters. Obviously a design decision.