Another collection of early Ellison. Not really a forgotten book(this edition is just out), but some of his early work published under the name Paul Merchant and a few other pseudonyms.
These stories were all published over a ten year period, mid-fifties to mid-sixties, in men’s magazines of the era. Considered risque at the time, they are rather mild compared to today’s fiction.
But they are Harlan Ellison’s work as a young man trying to put food on the table for his family. And a harbinger of things to come. The collection starts off with one of Mr. Ellison’s fine introductions where he speaks of the collection, how it came to be, and a few other things.
The stories herein:
1: THIS IS JACKIE SPINNING
2: DEAD WIVES DON’T CHEAT(as by John Magus)
3: PRIDE IN THE PROFESSION
4: PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A ZILCH WRITER(as by Paul Merchant)
5: GOD BLESS THE UGLY VIRGIN
6: A BLUE NOTE FOR BAYOU BETTY(as by Derry Tiger)
7: GANG GIRL
8: THE GIRL WITH THE HORIZONTAL MIND(as by Price Curtis)
9: AN EPISODE OF SUNBATHERS
10: CARRION FLESH(as by Paul Merchant)
11: THE SILENCE OF INFIDELITY
Worth a look.
For more forgotten books, as always, drop in on Patti Abbott every Friday at her blog, PATTINASE.
I always enjoyed his introductions to the stories. I started doing that myself, probably as an influence from him.
I like the early Harlan Ellison. The writing is raw and rough but bursting with energy.