Pulp Fiction discussion

I've just realised we don't have a thread for Travis McGee. McGee is neither a police officer nor a licensed private investigator; but a salvage consultant who will track down any item for half the value of the item.

First appeared in The Deep Blue Good-bye, While McGee is not really a detective he is a great hard-boiled protagonist.

I read The Dreadful Lemon Sky a little while ago for a reading challenge, it was my first of this series and I loved it, I'm going to start the series from the beginning as soon as possible, I love it when I find a good new series.

Jackmeister wrote: "I read The Dreadful Lemon Sky a little while ago for a reading challenge, it was my first of this series and I loved it, I'm going to start the series from the beginning as soon as possible, I love..."
Having read them in a "scattered" manner, I, too, went back and read them in sequence. It was a real education to watch the characters mature and change. Enjoy!

The first one I read was A Tan and Sandy Silence. I've listened to the first couple as audio books. They're good, too.

My favorite was Bright Orange for the Shroud. Great bad guy in that one.

I read all the books in no particular order years ago. Now I've collected them again and have been reading them in order. I'm up to the sixth or seventh in the series. So far "Bright Orange for the Shroud" was the best of the bunch.

One of my favorite series of all time. I'm about 3/4 of the way through, and rationing them--so no spoilers, please.

I just posted my review of THE TURQUOISE LAMENT:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I know they say never judge a book by its cover, but that's what hooked me on my first Travis McGee 40 odd years ago. Bright Orange for the Shroud led to the other 20 books in the series and all the rest of MacDonald's works. Raised in Tampa, I enjoyed the color and commentary on the changes in Florida from the "old days" to the then-new "declining" days. And the slide comtinues in many ways...

I love the Travis McGee books. I first read them something like 20 years ago and they are still on my faves list. It's so nice to find some other people who love them too.

Xan:

You're in the right place! We're ALL Travis McGee readers from either way back or newly minted. (Some new readers weren't even born when they were first published.)

Got a favorite?

George wrote: "I know they say never judge a book by its cover, but that's what hooked me on my first Travis McGee 40 odd years ago. Bright Orange for the Shroud led to the other 20 books in the series and all t..."

George, my friend! Raised in Northeast Florida...I can ditto what you said. We're all on the same page and being from FL makes Travis extra sweet for me.

George wrote: "I know they say never judge a book by its cover, but that's what hooked me on my first Travis McGee 40 odd years ago. Bright Orange for the Shroud led to the other 20 books in the series and all t..."

I grew up in Tampa also, and got started on MacDonald's novels in my teens.

Yesterday, I got home and was just absolutely dead. It had been one of the longest days in awhile. I picked up The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper and was blow away. It's not my favorite so far (I'm reading them in order), not even by a long shot, but it amazes how relaxing Travis Magee is as a character. He and the books...just plain fun.

Jacob wrote: "Yesterday, I got home and was just absolutely dead. It had been one of the longest days in awhile. I picked up The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper and was blow away. It's not my favorite so far (I'..."

Awww, Jacob. Your first time around for Travis? Sounds like it...if so, we want to hear from you.

Yep, Travis is my guy. Got his picture on my wall above my computer. Nobody has taken Travis' place in MY heart...ever.

Rated it five stars, too, I see. You're the MAN!

Not quite, Cathy. I'm reading the series in the order that he wrote it, which in and of itself has been a bit of an experience. The reason I posted what I did above is because somewhere in the middle of TGITPBW, I lost my original copy of it. I ordered a new one, but never quite got back around to it until the other night.

Yeah, I absolutely rated five stars. It was fantastic. Every one of his books has been. That said, I realized awhile back I need to overhaul my rating system Essentially everything I read gets a four or five...

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly appeals to you the most about Travis? As a character, I mean.

Jacob wrote: "Not quite, Cathy. I'm reading the series in the order that he wrote it, which in and of itself has been a bit of an experience. The reason I posted what I did above is because somewhere in the midd..."

Hi Jacob: Hard question to answer in a couple of words but just briefly; his early ('60's) appreciation of the environment; his willingness to help others knowing he might put himself in danger, (although we know sometimes he benefited monetarily but not all times;) his opinion about women i.e. considered them equal...although there are others who disagree with me on that but I'm not into arguing about it...there are a few other reasons but those are starters.

It's a shame that some of today's readers cannot step away from 2013 and appreciate McGee's foresight of problems that we're still addressing today. Or understand that JDM wrote the series in the '60's, '70's and '80's. (Came from recall, so I may be wrong in decades, into the '80's)

To me it's like reading Romeo and Juliet and expecting Romeo to come to pick her up with a Caddy like Miss Agnes, or calling Juliet on the cellphone and saying, "can I come up on your elevator to the top floor?"

Thanks for asking why I LOVE Travis McGee though. Never been asked that question.

BTW, I'm on my third go around and reading them, for the first time, in order. Next up is #5, Gold. Ready for it...more than ready, missing Travis.

As I'm getting close to the end of the McGee series, I really am rationing them: I've decided only to read one when I'm headed to a hot tropical place. Below is my review of DREADFUL LEMON SKY from earlier this summer when I was in Florida. I'm off to Yucatan soon, and will bring EMPTY COPPER SEA along . I love this series and am sad I will come to the end fairly soon, but I just may start again from the beginning.

* * * * *

Continuing my reading of the Travis McGee series in order, and at this point rationing them because I like them so much, but there are so few left.

DREADFUL LEMON SKY is a solid entry in the series--not one of the best, but very good. By now it seems that MacDonald has basically ditched the whole quasi-PI/"salvage expert" formula: one of McGee's old girlfriends visits the Busted Flush and asks him to hold a hundred grand in cash for her, and in the event that she never comes back, get it to her younger sister. She never does come back, and moral Trav sees fit to get to the bottom of the mystery, which is a clever one, knotted up as McGee tales often are in petty local politics and petty characters, both politics and characters fleshed out with an uncommon level of attention and realism for a thriller novel.

There are a few surprises here [SPOILER ALERT] including Trav's houseboat The Bused Flush getting blown to smithereens (don't worry, it gets fixed up), and as always MacDonald shows off some really nice writing, such as:
“The world looked strange. There were little halos around the edges of every tree and building. I did very deep breathing. It is strange to sleep for five days and five nights and have the world go rolling along without you. Just like it will keep on after you’re dead. The wide busy world of tire balancing, diaper changing, window washing, barn dancing, bike racing, nose picking, and bug swatting will go merrily merrily along. If they were never aware of your presence, they won’t be overwhelmed by your absence.”

By the way, is there any consensus on which of the Travis McGee novels are the best? I have not found anything in some searching on the internet. I have enjoyed them all with the exception of #2, NIGHTMARE IN PINK: the story depended a lot of drugs and psychology and felt very dated/inaccurate to me. (I rarely mind the datedness of classic crime fiction--in fact, it's something that attracts me to the older stuff--but PINK was painful at points.)

Mark wrote: "By the way, is there any consensus on which of the Travis McGee novels are the best? I have not found anything in some searching on the internet. I have enjoyed them all with the exception of #2, ..."

Hi Mark:

I'm on my third go around on Travis...my guy, Travis.

Pink is my least favorite as well and I believe it was the first one I read so many, many years ago. Last time (second) read mostly in order, this time, in order.

There is a favorite, the consensus of opinion but I can't recall which one it is. Maybe someone else can remember. Seems like it was Silver but not sure.

Have you been on D.R. Martin's site...everything Travis McGee? Travis McGee and Me but watch, he's got notice of spoilers all over, so only read the reviews of the ones you've read. Travis & Me

I'm sure I read something on there re: favorites. D. R. just finished writing his review/synopsis of every one of the 21 in the series.

Congratulations and can't blame you for waiting to read while in Yucatan. Good decision!

Super--and yes, I know the Martin site, and I avoid reading about the books I've not yet read!

I have to say my recollection of DEEP BLUE is very very strong and positive, so I'll likely read that one again immediately after SILVER.

M

Mark wrote: "Super--and yes, I know the Martin site, and I avoid reading about the books I've not yet read!

I have to say my recollection of DEEP BLUE is very very strong and positive, so I'll likely read that..."

Mark:

It came to me later that I should have mentioned Blue. I loved that book and the first time around, read Pink, then Blue. Had I formed my opinion on Pink, not sure how far I would have gotten in the series so glad I picked up Blue.

I have just picked up my first MacDonald novel, "Dress Her in Indigo". I have been hearing so much about MacDonald in general and Travis McGee in particular that I wonder what has taken me so long to get around to reading him. We will see how it goes.

One hundred pages to go on Gold. Funny how I'm paying more attention to the details like I never did before especially his relationship with women.

Mharper wrote: "I have just picked up my first MacDonald novel, "Dress Her in Indigo". I have been hearing so much about MacDonald in general and Travis McGee in particular that I wonder what has taken me so long..."

Hi Mharper:

D. R. Martin, who I consider my 'go to' man on all things JDM and Travis says of Indigo "one of the most dismal tales in the McGee canon " so if it isn't a good fit for you, don't give it up. The first one, Blue is excellent but I like to read in order anyway.

Do hope you enjoy it though and read another.

Cathy,

Thanks for the warning. So far, it is surprisingly good. I think after this one I'm going to back up to the beginning with "Blue", depending on what I can find at the local used book store.

Mharper wrote: "Cathy,

Thanks for the warning. So far, it is surprisingly good. I think after this one I'm going to back up to the beginning with "Blue", depending on what I can find at the local used book store."

You won't be disappointed. And "surprisingly good..."?

You're talking to a devoted JDM, Travis McGee fan here, Mharper. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how anyone, man or woman, could not love Travis. But there are some...none I'm friends with. They probably hate Grimm's Fairy Tales because it's too dismal.

This am just read passage, Travis' take on safari hunters. Going to post in a bit...I can see why men, most men, the not so ultra-macho types would love McGee. He even mentioned Hemingway, TR Roosevelt by name...not wanting to be like them. Interesting passage.

And McGee fans seem to be used/thrift book stores devotees.

Get me on McGee and I begin blathering. Stop me, stop me!

I meant surprising good in the sense that I typically don't care for serial detective books. There are a couple of exceptions such as PD James and, of coarse, Chandler.

Maybe I have gotten it too far in my head that the McGee novels would be like the Spencer novels. First off, MacDonald is a much better writer than Parker. McGee is a better person than Spencer. I always disliked the Hawk character, but I love Meyer. He is insightful and corny. Just the sort of person i would like to hang out with.

Good stuff.

Today, in fact, I found "Blue" and have decided to put down "Indigo" and start off where the series begins.

Talk all you want about McGee, it is nice to listen to people who actually like books.

Mharper wrote: "I meant surprising good in the sense that I typically don't care for serial detective books. There are a couple of exceptions such as PD James and, of coarse, Chandler.

Maybe I have gotten it too..."

Hi Mharper!

What a great comment and reading Parker and Spencer, I agree with what you said entirely. I do enjoy Parker's writing but agree, next to JDM, well...you said it.

The one I'm reading, Gold, JDM really gets into the "heart and soul" of Travis McGee. I think JDM is saying what's in his heart about what makes a real man a real man, in his opinion. And that is one of the reasons I've always loved Travis.

Someone said that Travis is the man (paraphrasing here) all women want to be with and all men want to be like. Of course that's a generality but his character, his values, are in my mind, so far superior than most other guys. Perhaps some of the paragraphs in Gold should have been written in earlier books but who the hell am I to re-write anything written by JDM?

BTW, you read JDM "Reading for Survival"? It's a bit philosophical and the last written about Travis and Meyer. Short essay that the Library of Congress asked JDM to write a year, I think, before JDM died. I may have mentioned it above. And reading it (10" read) does not interfere with the series whatsoever. It's mostly Meyer talking about reading and books.

Here I go again about Travis. Get a chance, check my pictures in my profile. Pix of Travis above my monitor. Every new character I read, unfairly, I know, I stand them next to Travis and they always come up a bit short. I know that is not the right thing to do but...

Like I said, I can go on and on about my relationship with Travis and am so delighted that you found him. He's timely (especially in Gold) as to what's going on in the world today. Amazing to me.

Thanks for the "free pass" on talking about JDM and McGee...like I said, I can go on and on. And glad you found him "surprising!"

Mharper wrote: "Cathy,

Thanks for the warning. So far, it is surprisingly good. I think after this one I'm going to back up to the beginning with "Blue", depending on what I can find at the local used book store."

Indigo was the first one I read and I loved it. I probably wouldn't have read any others if I hadn't.

Stooko Davis wrote: "Mharper wrote: "Cathy,

Thanks for the warning. So far, it is surprisingly good. I think after this one I'm going to back up to the beginning with "Blue", depending on what I can find at the loca..."


OMG, Stooko, my apology! Anyway, don't be so sure. I just finished Gold and it was sooo damned good. I need to write a review, just finished last night.

JDM went crazy giving the reader insights to Travis' character, who he is in his soul, what he thinks about being a man. Wonderful, just wonderful. Lots of philosophical musings which I happen to love.

Was thinking maybe JDM should have made Gold his first, then slapped my hand...who the hell am I to say JDM should have done anything different. Made me feel like a fool...ME...ME, thinking for the great writer John D. MacDonald.

You're the first to know, this one get five stars from me...I'm tough giving those out, ask Jackson Burnett. He's told everyone how stingy I am with the stars!

You're starting #1 now, right? #2, Pink, don't expect too much but it's quick. Blue is great.

I just finished "Blue". It is really good. Junior is more than a bad guy- he is flat out evil. McGee is cool. Some parts of the book seemed a little contrived, but all and all it was a great read. Am running back to "Indigo". So far, it seems that the books to read are "Amber", "Silver", "Crimson", "Tan", "Indigo",and "Lemon".

Mharper wrote: "I just finished "Blue". It is really good. Junior is more than a bad guy- he is flat out evil. McGee is cool. Some parts of the book seemed a little contrived, but all and all it was a great re..."

Mharper...you see what I stupidly did? If not, I'm not saying and hope I changed things, corrected things! OK, Cathy getds three big solid DUHs today.

Now that was indeed quick, your reading of Blue. I finished Gold last night and working up a review now.

Silver is the last one, you know.

Gold was absolutely great and wrote in my draft that maybe JDM should have had this as the first one. Then I think, what the hell am I thinking, rearranging what JDM wrote? I can safely say that every writer from about the mid '80's on has read MacDonald and the TM series. MacDonald had a such a profound affect on them and their writing. I'm talking about Crais, Child, Sandford, Leonard, Stephen King and the list goes on and on.

The reason I said he should have had this one first, is because JDM is much more philosophical about Travis; his solid value system; knowing clearly right from wrong, what's moral, what's not; his feelings about being a man; his character, what's important to him and how he looks on life.

I got a lot out of this book and D.R. Martin on his Travis and Me blog said By this time JDM has become more confident that his readers will hang in there as his rangy hero ruminates out loud.

Well, I happen to love that stuff...the bits and pieces of philosophy of life. Travis talks about whether shooting lions in Africa makes a man a man.

He obviously isn't too impressed with Ernest Hemingway or T. R. Roosevelt and says what he thinks about shooting animals and putting their heads as trophies in their trophy room. Does not a man make.

Hell's bells, I'm writing part of my damned review here. Sorry, you guys know how I am about my Travis!

As I mentioned to Stooko, or someone earlier, first time around I read Pink first...and now it's my opinion that it's one of the bottom three, of the ones I'm not fond of.

For god's sake, stop me from talking Travis McGee. Sorry folks, I'm stepping down from that box...OMG, I better, someone is pulling it out from under me!

In case you don't have the list handy and it hasn't been published he in a bit...

(1964) The Deep Blue Good-by
(1964) Nightmare in Pink
(1964) A Purple Place for Dying
(1964) The Quick Red Fox
(1965) A Deadly Shade of Gold
(1965) Bright Orange for the Shroud
(1966) Darker than Amber
(1966) One Fearful Yellow Eye
(1968) Pale Gray for Guilt
(1968) The Girl in the Plain Brown Wrapper
(1969) Dress Her in Indigo
(1970) The Long Lavender Look
(1971) A Tan and Sandy Silence
(1973) The Scarlet Ruse
(1973) The Turquoise Lament
(1975) The Dreadful Lemon Sky
(1978) The Empty Copper Sea
(1979) The Green Ripper
(1981) Free Fall in Crimson
(1982) Cinnamon Skin
(1985) The Lonely Silver Rain

When I'm reading a series, I generally go to FantasticFiction & look the author up. They have a good list of all the authors works in published order. By copying them to notepad, I can quickly get a list to keep on my computer & mark off the ones I have.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/m/j...

Series that have different published & chronological orders are more of a problem. GR often lists both, but I don't know of a good way to capture them to a simple list. Anyone?

---------

Looking at MacDonald's output is mind numbing. He often published several books a year!

Jim wrote: "When I'm reading a series, I generally go to FantasticFiction & look the author up. They have a good list of all the authors works in published order. By copying them to notepad, I can quickly ge..."

Good morning Jim:

Yeah, I use ficfact.com, too, but Wiki seems to have the best list in chronological order. Not always so in ficfact.com.

I read a lot more of JDM, not all. He was prolific, no doubt. His son never had to work, I'm sure.

Cathy,

I've also noticed that sometimes FictFact.com gets the order wrong but they are incredibly responsive to corrections. Just send them a note from their site and they'll make any necessary corrections in short order.

FantasticFiction, as Jim mentioned is a great resource as well.

Benjamin wrote: "Cathy,

I've also noticed that sometimes FictFact.com gets the order wrong but they are incredibly responsive to corrections. Just send them a note from their site and they'll make any necessary c..."

OMG, sorry fellows, I was thinking they were one in the same and no, they're not. Just figured that out.

Will check out FantasticFiction. Again, apologize. My "duh, Cathy" list is filling up fast.