Showing posts with label Sombrero. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sombrero. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Paperback 881: Please Write For Details / John D. MacDonald (Gold Medal R1922)

Paperback 881: Gold Medal R1922 (unknown ptg, 1968)

Title: Please Write for Details
Author: John D. MacDonald
Cover artist: Uncredited [Mitchell Hooks]

Estimated value: $5-8

[Donation to the collection courtesy of L. Gagne]

GM1922
Best things about this cover:
  • Love how all those dorky guys are checking her out, but she's swiveled around to face you because, well, you're doing the same thing, big boy. She has the best "Like what you see?" face ever.
  • I am not familiar with MacDonald's comedy writing. Most everything else I have by him is Travis McGee stuff.
  • This book takes place at a "Mexican art colony," in case you're looking at the dorky guys and going "WTF?"

GM1922bc
 Best things about this back cover:
  • "Why, yes. Yes, I *do* enjoy those three things. You've piqued my interest. I *will* write for details. Thanks for your help."
  • That first sentence is an epic, loony, self-parodying masterpiece. Can you hitch your starload to a bent?
  • Great hyphen confusion. I read "love-lies" as "lies one tells about love"; but it's just "lovelies."
  • John D. MacDonald, still staring down that fly on the ceiling.

Page 123~

Torrigan had the usual ideas, all right, but he was a lot easier to handle. Hinting you could be a real hell of a painter if he'd let you learn all about Life from him. Always trying to load your drinks. And that tired game that goes I've-just-got-my-arm-around-you-because-I'm-just-a-big-friendly-guy. No trick in handling him.

Nothing like a good, withering take-down of a leering phony. I like the knowing, implicitly female perspective. This seems like it might be worth reading.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

Friday, February 8, 2013

Paperback 605: The Ambushers / Donald Hamilton (Gold Medal k1333)

Paperback 605: Gold Medal k1333 (PBO, 1963)

Title: The Ambushers
Author: Donald Hamilton
Cover artist: McD (?)

Yours for: $11

GM1333

Best things about this cover:
  • "Isn't my sniper boyfriend dreamy!?"
  • "So sorry, señor. The chupacabra, I think she got away."
  • What is this "pansy class" and how do I enroll? Sounds fun. Also, I would love to see Matt Helm call Mike Hammer a "pansy." 

GM1333bc-1

Best things about this back cover:
  • Murder—in the card catalogue!
  • How does one "play God to a beautiful, beat-up girl"? "OK, you be Job, and I'll go hide behind that bush and ..."
  • I do like to order my thrillers by the half-dozen.

Page 123~

In my terrible predicament I'd hardly be giving attention to stray blondes. I kept my eyes on the men.

I assume his "terrible predicament" is "being undercover at a gay bar." Or he has some unspeakable injury that makes arousal painful. Either way, don't worry, Matt. It gets better.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]