Sleezy Pulp I Just Couldn't Buy
We all know pulp novels (which is a category of books wider than the term 'pulp' technically refers to) are exploitative works; but sometimes I just have to draw the line. Even if it's only 50 cents at a thrift shop.
Today's example, a copy of Super Cop Joe Blaze #3, The Thrill Killers, by Robert Novak.
It's not that I don't need to start collecting a bad series of cop adventure novels (supposedly by a Washington pundit), it's not that today I needed 50 extra pennies of my meager budget to go towards something else; I had after all lifted the book up to see what it was about. Nay, my refusal was based entirely upon the front cover text:
And the more I ponder it the more my reaction stays the same, for the book doesn't say a single word, however clichéd, about how said super cop 'vowed revenge' or thought these murderers the 'worst sort of criminal'.
Instead it sells the rape & mutilation of women -- nurses who, by the way, are the pulp icons of 'good innocent & intelligent girls'.
Sexism, in light of the times & target consumer, may be rampant in pulp novels; but such misogyny is quite another thing entirely.
Today's example, a copy of Super Cop Joe Blaze #3, The Thrill Killers, by Robert Novak.
It's not that I don't need to start collecting a bad series of cop adventure novels (supposedly by a Washington pundit), it's not that today I needed 50 extra pennies of my meager budget to go towards something else; I had after all lifted the book up to see what it was about. Nay, my refusal was based entirely upon the front cover text:
Nurses were being brutally raped then carved to ribbons by a pair of killers looking for kicksMy initial reaction was, "Aren't the readers lusting over the same kicks?"
And the more I ponder it the more my reaction stays the same, for the book doesn't say a single word, however clichéd, about how said super cop 'vowed revenge' or thought these murderers the 'worst sort of criminal'.
Instead it sells the rape & mutilation of women -- nurses who, by the way, are the pulp icons of 'good innocent & intelligent girls'.
Sexism, in light of the times & target consumer, may be rampant in pulp novels; but such misogyny is quite another thing entirely.
Labels: Books, Collecting, Crime, Images, Sexism
posted by Silent-Porn-Star at
5:16 PM
2 Comments:
What bothers me about a lot of pulp is the racism and misogyny. A lot of focus is given to the covers of pulps but man, so many of the stories cater to a lowest denominator. The action pulps of the 50's are incredible in how far they strive to be racist.
I often think a lot about how erotica reflects on a society, but I try not to think too much about what their action stories have to say because I don't think I like the anwser.
Pulp is full of such shit quite a bit; and the stereotypes are sometimes why I collect copies. But--
Usually such things are sold exploiting the tease of such things while professing outrage over it. As in "the detective vowed to put an end to the horrid spree" -- which was missing in this particular book. To have that missing was too much for me.
As for trying to avoid what action stories say about our society, I say confront it. You'll learn far more that way. Maybe even pen better stories for it. You'll certainly discover what moves readers/society and perhaps find a way to hit those hot buttons without being like a jerk of old :p
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