In a message dated 6/1/2002 4:01:56 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Joy writes:
<<
I was reminded of an exciting adventure book I thought
was by Frank Gruber
that took place in South America and concerned llamas.
"The Red <something
or other>"? So I Googled, and didn't see anything
close by the time I was
distracted by the story of his friendship with and
influence on L. Ron
Hubbard. Does this book sound familiar to anyone?
>>
I don't see a book "The Red (blank)" on the Gruber list I
checked. It sounds like one of his novels published in the
1960s that had international themes such as: The Gold Gap
(1968), The Etruscan Bull (1969) and The Spanish Prisoner
(1969). I was never moved the read any of those but it is
likely others on the list have. Gruber writes about Hubbard
in several points in The Pulp Jungle. A couple of times when
the story or comment might be seen as uncomplimentary, IIRC,
Gruber did not use Hubbard's name but it was easy to figure
out from the context. In those days discussing Hubbard in
print could spark litigation or threats of litigation.
Regarding YOU PLAY THE BLACK AND THE RED COMES UP, I leaned
toward the parody opinion when I read it. Various aspects
were just a touch too much, yet never so much as to be an
obvious sendup. Thinking about it since, I am not as certain
it was an intended parody or just a clever writer trying to
mimic James M. Cain who had hit the big time with POSTMAN.
The book gave off the feeling that the author wasn't really
into it or viewed the story and the characters with a bit of
distain. Was it a parody or just someone painting by the
numbers? I don't know. Either way it is worth reading as a
clever piece of writing.
Richard Moore
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