Deadlier Than the Male

[modest shelfwear, spine a little turned, light dust-soiling to top of text block, very slight tear at top corner of one page, vintage bookplate on front pastedown; the jacket has a nickel-size chip at the top of the front panel, slight paper loss at the top of the spine, light age-toning to the rear panel, some visible wear along the right edge of the front panel]. The first (and only) novel by Gunn, who went on to a decent career as a film and TV writer/producer, which was unfortunately cut short by his death at age 46. Boiled about as hard as you can get, it's a ruthless book populated by ruthless, amoral people -- not only can you not put it down, as they say, but in this case I'd advise against even turning your back on it. Basis for the 1947 film noir BORN TO KILL, directed by Robert Wise for RKO, and starring Lawrence Tierney and Claire Trevor; the film was faithful to the book's misanthropic spirit and grisly violence, which earned it plenty of trouble from the movie censorship authorities.

Product Info

Publisher: Duell, Sloan and Pearce

Year: (c.1942)

Type: Used

Binding: Hardcover

First Edition

Seller Info

ReadInk

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Country: United States