One Night Stands and Lost Weekends collects Lawrence Block’s early stories in an attractive package. Back in the 1950s, Block wrote a story titled “You Can’t Lose” and sent it to Manhunt magazine. Manhunt published the story and Block’s career was launched. One Night Stands and Lost Weekends includes 28 short stories and novelettes from 1958 to 1962. Lawrence Block includes two informative essays which describe the publishing world at the time these stories were written. Fascinating reading!
I read this a year or so ago and remember being a bit turned off by the number of stories that ended with “by then she was dead” or “and so I killed her,” etc. A lot of men killing a women. It left a bit of a bad taste.
You’re right, Deb. Back in the Fifties and Early Sixties women tended to be treated as a plot device.
Sadly, Deb, that’s a lot of what those markets thought was what their readers wanted/needed…
Sad but true, Todd. The male magazines of that era catered to misogynist males. That’s why so many covers featured women in bondage.
…you definitely need never read the likes of WEB DETECTIVE or WEB TERROR STORIES magazine (as it titled itself as it got worse and went from misogynist crime fiction to misogynist “shudder” stories–SCOOBY-DOO-style fake horror fiction with lots of tortured people, usually women).
I quit reading Block years ago and this collection doesn’t make me want to change that. I see you say it’s fascinating reading but you give it no grade. Fascinating and good sure aren’t the same thing, are they?
I’m always interested in the origins of good writers, Rick. The clues to their later successes can often be found in their early work. As you might suspect, these early Block stories don’t have the professional polish of his future work. But I’m always willing to watch apprentices learning their craft.
It says Lost Weekend on the book.
OK, Lost Weekends.
Ever the editor, Bob! Thanks for the heads up. I’ll make the correction.
I’m here to serve. You should see how many people I get after on eBay for calling horse soldiers “calvary.”
I appreciate it when commentors correct my mistakes, Bob. I’d rather get things right.
I thought it was a good book, Rick. It gives a real flavor of the time it was written, much like the Evan Hunter/Ed McBain story collections that brought back the stuff he was writing them.
LOST WEEKENDS is called “The Lost Cases of Ed London” inside. London was the protagonist of Block’s DEATH PULLS A DOUBLECROSS (later reprinted as COWARD’S KISS). Granted, he wasn’t a particularly admirable character but they are still worth reading in my opinion.
And it’s almost worth the cost of the book for the picture of Block as a young man with long, greasy, curly hair.
You’re right, Jeff. ONE NIGHT STANDS AND LOST WEEKENDS is a historical and cultural artifact. The men’s magazine market Block was writing for has vanished. But, if you want to understand what some people were reading in the late Fifties and early Sixties, this book shows what was going on back then. And that photo of the young Block is priceless!