tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post5898987451150388988..comments2024-02-25T20:56:16.684-05:00Comments on Pulp Serenade: "The Twisted Ones" by Vin Packer (Gold Medal, 1959)Cullen Gallagherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14236957954996740924noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-78430320201477817312012-08-04T15:08:56.988-04:002012-08-04T15:08:56.988-04:00I'm doing a bit of research on Packer after on...I'm doing a bit of research on Packer after one of my students found his books in my school's library books. Not sure how it ended up there - some other teach must have left it. But this guy from Korea seems to like it.<br /><br />Seems like a meaningful author that may be a thought-provoking read. Especially since my students do take the IELTS examination, some of Packer's books may help them in the essay writing. Which of his books would you recommend for ESL students?Jonathan of IELTS Singaporehttp://ieltssingapore.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-46791036066024509962012-04-04T06:36:12.823-04:002012-04-04T06:36:12.823-04:00Hi again. Here is Anthony Boucher's short revi...Hi again. Here is Anthony Boucher's short review of the book. Sums up the novel neatly.<br /><br />"If it's characterization-in-depth that you want, turn to Vin Packer's The Twisted Ones (Gold Medal, 35 cents). Here Miss Packer skillfully intertwines three case histories of youthful criminals - boys, from 8 to 19 - whose shocking offenses are of the kind written off by the newspapers as unmotivated and inexplicable. The three protagonists are developed with such sympathy and insight that we recognize, as each crime occurs, precisely why it had to happen; and yet the author avoids the glibness of psychological diagramming and writes in terms of genuine human tragedy."<br /><br />- Criminal at Large, New York Times Apr 26, 1959.JLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08612923783134315171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-88338046481452362732012-01-23T09:33:31.237-05:002012-01-23T09:33:31.237-05:00I read The Twisted Ones a couple of years ago, so ...I read The Twisted Ones a couple of years ago, so it's nice to see other readers starting to appreciate this little gem for a book. The themes are familiar from Packer's other novels, but The Twisted Ones succeeds to lift them to the next level. In my opinion it's one of the best by Vin Packer, maybe the best of the whole bunch. Well, there is still couple of her novels I haven't read. <br /><br />But anyway, great blog you got here.Juuso Lehtonenhttp://punakoura.blogit.finoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-16983738923960491142011-12-18T13:14:46.018-05:002011-12-18T13:14:46.018-05:00Thanks for such an insightful review, Cullen. I&#...Thanks for such an insightful review, Cullen. I've had this book since like forever (50 years), and I've never actually gotten around to sitting down and reading it. Looks like I missed a lot!<br /><br />One book I did read by Packer, way back then, was THE THRILL KIDS, a classic juvenile delinquent novels from the 1950s. It's a powerful book, and I still remember scenes from it.Steve Lewishttp://www.mysteryfile.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-7959062476731503502011-12-18T10:46:01.639-05:002011-12-18T10:46:01.639-05:00Heard "Vin Packer" interviewed on NPR a ...Heard "Vin Packer" interviewed on NPR a few years ago, she had some interesting comments on the 50's.<br />Gread Blog, BTW. Just added it to my list.Tim Mayerhttp://www.z7hq.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-27180246919950929912011-12-16T12:28:47.783-05:002011-12-16T12:28:47.783-05:00THE TWISTED ONES is one of the best Gold Medal boo...THE TWISTED ONES is one of the best Gold Medal books!Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04546161337366365635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-52320634999221733352011-12-08T00:58:39.043-05:002011-12-08T00:58:39.043-05:00This looks amazing. I have Packer's "Spr...This looks amazing. I have Packer's "Spring Fire" from the lesbian pulp reprint series, but haven't read it yet. I may have to bump it up in the queue.JEFFREY SCONCEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03660906049236915511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3574898998296059114.post-85113503080686609202011-12-07T15:01:14.790-05:002011-12-07T15:01:14.790-05:00Just got done reading JIm Thompson's "Pop...Just got done reading JIm Thompson's "Pop. 1280" . Now after reading your review I have to hunt down some Vin Packer. I love how the pulps are the dark underbelly of the TV and radio shows. How they reflect the darker side of popular culture. I guess that's the role of the internet today. Any hoot, good job.Trent Tanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09995259594547809376noreply@blogger.com