what product is most searched on google The E. Hoffmann Price Spicy Adventure MEGAPACK : 14 Tales from the "Spicy" Pulp Magazines!
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful. A Writer Who Deserved a Better PublisherBy Samuel D. UretskyThe pulp magazines had a short life, but they gave us some creations that are still alive in our culture, and some writers that will be immortal. Dashiel Hammett was probably more influential than Hemingway in modernizing the style of American fiction writing (arguably H. L. Mencken's Black Mask was more influential than any literary magazine in changing the way we write.) Fortunately, computerization is helping make many of the works of the 1930s and 1i940s available for those who have an academic interest in the evolution of modern literary styles, those who have simply a historical interest, and those who simply enjoy the writing. Pulp fiction paid poorly, and writers trying to make a living in that format had to be incredibly prolific, relying on talent rather than careful plotting and editing, yet fans of any genre fiction -- mystery, science fiction, western -- can point to writers who began their careers in the pulps.There's also a lot of garbage out there. Start reading some of these collections and you can find yourself wondering how some of these stories got past and editor 70 years ago and one today.And, the Spicy magazines had their own format. Somewhere, an attractive woman was always on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction. That's it -- part of every story had to be devoted to a discussion of poorly made clothing and well made anatomy.After all that, E. Hoffman Price was among the better pulp writers. He might be turning out thousands of words at a cent a word or less, but he did a better job than his format called for. These stories are quality writing which are held back more by their publisher than the writer.The three stars are subjective. I enjoy pulp fiction but had never read any of the Spicy magazines although their influence did seep into other magazines, or at least their cover art. There's nothing here that transcends the genre, but it's good genre fiction as long as you keep your expectations in check. And if, like me, you're old enough to recall Spicy Detective on the magazine racks but never bought a copy, this will give you some idea of what the publishing house was all about.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Gems From A Now Obscure WriterBy James ElfersE. Hoffman Price was a significant writer who has lapsed into semi-obscurity because he particular brand of fiction has faded from public consciousness. He was an inspiration for both Robert E. Howard and H. P. Lovecraft and corresponded with each. Spicy fiction was adventure stories aimed at "red blooded" males. During the story, the young and comely ingenue's, wardrobe would be reduced to tatters or less. If you want to know what made your grandfather's heart beat a bit faster and what filled his fantasies in the days before "Playboy" this collection is for you. Price had a rather vivid imagination and his stories tended to be among the very best of the "Spicy" genre. I knocked off a star because at least one of the stories had no 'spicy" content at all. With this title EVERY story better be spicy. Still for the price, it is heard to go wrong.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Light crime stories from a bygone eraBy M. SmithThe stories are interesting light crime stories, with a slight sexual content. The women are "babes", described as "almost wearing a negligee that clings to all the places she has places" - that sort of thing. The stories are pretty innocent by today's standards.