Ross MacDonald

I recently -- finally -- begun reading most of the John D. MacDonald "Travis McGee" books and all of the "Lew Archer" Ross MacDonald books. And I discovered how great a writer Ross MacDonald really was! Don't get me wrong, John D. MacDonald and the McGee books are terrific. But Lew Archer and Ross leave them both in the dust. (As a quick comparison, read the opening pages of A DEEP BLUE GOODBYE and then read the opening pages of MOVING TARGET. The noticeable difference in control and style is stunning). And his novels just keep getting better:
THE BARBAROUS COAST...THE DOOMSTERS...THE ZEBRA-STRIPED HEARSE...BLACK MONEY...THE UNDERGROUND MAN...SLEEPING BEAUTY

Any plans for gathering all or some of the novels and/or stories of Ross MacDonald together in a future volume of Library of America? After Hammett, he's definitely the best American writer of crime fiction.

And if there aren't any plans, I'd like to officially nominate Ross MacDonald for consideration by Those Who Decide when it comes to authors under consideration.

The short answer is yes. We recently negotiated a deal to publish Ross MacDonald in time for his centenary (2015). More details soon. . .

David

>2 DCloyceSmith:

Great news! For years I've wanted to do a PBS series based on the Lew Archer books in a style similar to the classic Granada TV Poirot and BBC Miss Marple series. The Paul Newman "Harper" and "The Drowning Pool" movies were disappointing versions despite the presence of the charismatic star.

This is stunning news! I am not a fan of crime writing but I learned of RM´s existence through my great interest in Eudora Welty and discovered that he was a true craftsman. Surely Welty, one of the founders of the LoA, would be most pleased by this development, and so am I!

DCloyceSmith: absolutely MARVELOUS news! The more I read of his oeuvre, the more I am convinces of Ross MacDonald's genius. Can't wait for more news, and for the actual publication(s) in 2015!

Aside from the fact that I'll have to wait until 2015, this is fantastic news. Ross MacDonald is one of my favorites and I'll be looking forward to seeing him in the LoA.

Ross MacDonald. I'm excited. I have read all but two books in the Lew Archer series and I think MacDonald is equal to Hammett and Chandler as an author. I look forward to more news on this project.

Hi, DCloyce Smith. Just wondering: do you have any inside info you can share as to when the next Ross MacDonald volume will come out? And, if so, any hints as to what titles might be included in that volume (novels of the 1960s, perhaps)? The first volume looks great! Thanks!

We hope to publish the second volume, tentatively titled Novels of the 1960s, in Summer 2016. As with most of our volumes, we won't be able to reveal the contents until the rights have been negotiated.

--David

Mr. Smith: That is groovy news, indeed. Hope a third volume will be in the offing as well, since the guy just kept getting better (unusual, since even maintaining a high standard of quality whilst remaining highly readable over the course of a long career as a writer is a rarity -- even Updike had some snoozers, in _my_ opinion, of course). Looking forward to news of the volume's contents!

Just wanted to add this post from DCLOYCE SMITH -- originally posted on "Future works" -- to keep this MacDonald thread "au courant":
"313DCloyceSmith
Jun 10, 11:33am Top

The next Ross Macdonald volume (tentatively titled "Three Novels of the Early 1960s") will be published in Summer 2016. It will included The Zebra-Striped Hearse, The Chill, and The Far Side of the Dollar.

--David"

I'm still hoping the second Ross MacDonald volume will be MORE than three books long (THE WYCHEERLY WOMAN, BLACK MONEY, and THE INSTANT ENEMY are all great books from the 1960s, in my humble opinion, and each one is definitely deserving of inclusion in the 2nd volume!).

P.S.: For those who enjoyed the Paul Newman-starring Archer flicks, check out "Twilight", scripted directed by Robert Benton -- it could almost qualify as an Archer film (humor, pathos, good writing and psychological twists -- the acting isn't too shabby, either).

Since I sorta started this particular thread, and since RD seems to be popular these days, thought I'd update it with the latest -- offered up by Faustian & Podras on another thread:
"
Aug 1, 8:44pm Top

04/19/2016-----Ross Macdonald: Three Novels of the Early 1960s: The Zebra-Striped Hearse / The Chill / The Far Side of the Dollar" -- Faustian & Podras (who corrected the day on that date).

That merits a Hurrah! for the impending publication of volume 2, and, a...
*Sigh*
Well, since it looks like Mr. Nolan isn't including THE WYCHERLY WOMAN (bummer) but is still only collecting three novels -- instead four, as with the first volume -- here's hoping that LOA has decided to do FOUR volumes of Ross MacDonald writing! :) (Especially since I think ALL of the last six novels by MacDonald are worthy of inclusion).

I'm wondering if short stories will be included in the second volume, since it is 805 pages and the novels will, at best, take up only 660 pages of that -- likely only 650 or 640 (it's almost a shame that a section of MacDonlad's quotes -- musings -- about writing, which are found in two essays -- one very short, from 1979; one longer one, from 1969 -- that were used as forewords to ARCHER IN JEOPARDY and ARCHER AT LARGE can't be used, because some of those bits and bon mots are sublime).

In any case, just wondering what might -- or perhaps will -- be included in that second volume of only three MacDonald novels. And if MacDonald might now rate a fourth volume (if not, I don't envy Noland the task of picking the three, or four, novels, that will be found in the last LOA Ross MacDonald collection).

MacDonald is certainly hot, judging by this - http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/coen-brothers-write-direct-adaptation-8133...

And also this - http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/meanwhile-there-are-letters-re...

>12 Truett:

Doesn't calling the second Ross MacDonald volume "Three Novels of the Early 1960s" imply the third volume will be "Novels of the Late 1960s"?

ONLY if you limit your imagination -- or the possibilities of what an editor might find "worthy".

Other possible titles: Novels of the late 1960s and early 1970s; or, Ross MacDonald, Later novels (since that would include the late sixties on up to the mid-1970s, it IS a possibility).

Also: Nolan seems to concur that THE UNDERGROUND MAN and SLEEPING BEAUTY, both novels from the early 1970s, were some of MacDonald's best. With BLACK MONEY having won a British Dagger (Hammet) Award, and now being up for a film adaptation by the Cohen bros., THE INSTANT ENEMY being his first BIG bestseller (and another favorite of critics), THE GOODBYE LOOK getting MacDonald his first front page rave in the NY Times, THE UNDERGROUND MAN following suit (with the review written by Eudora Welty) and SLEEPING BEAUTY being another critical fav, I'm scratching my head over the decision to include only three novels in the second volume, since there are still MORE than enough great titles to fill the third volume, which means they are passing on THE WYCHERLY WOMAN and BLACK MONEY (Macdonald's last novel, THE BLUE HAMMER, wasn't held in as high esteem as those that were written and published in the ten years prior).

And then a fourth volume for the 1970s.

jju: if you read closely, above, you'll note that ONLY three volumes were approved. Thus my chagrin at fewer choices for the 2nd volume of 1960s novels. Speaking of which, THE FERGUSON AFFAIR, another top-notch crime novel by McDonald, but not a Lew Archer novel, was published in 1960. Which means they are either passing on two terrific early 1960s novels -- FERGUSON AFFAIR, WYCHERLY WOMAN -- or three later 1960s novels BLACK MONEY, THE INSTANT ENEMY and THE GOODBYE LOOK (if they publish the last three McDonald novels, which came out in 1971, 74, and '76, respectively) or they'll pass on the last three novels from the 1970s, THE UNDERGROUND MAN, SLEEPING BEAUTY, THE BLUE HAMMER (if they publish as third volume as three novels of the late 1960s, meaning BLACK, INSTANT and GOODBYE).
Thus, my chagrin.

While I'm on the subject: Anyone familiar with the Ross MacDonald story knows he crossed paths with Warren Zevon (a big-time fan) in the late '70s, when Zevon was struggling with addiction (McDonald stopped by his house at someone else's request, and gave him a talking to that helped the singer/songwriter pull himself back from his first relapse). The album, "Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School" was/is dedicated to Ken Millar, in the liner notes.

The connection to the FIRST volume of LOA McDonald novels is this: The scene depicted on the front of the album is taken from an early part of (I believe) THE BARBAROUS COAST. And...the song, "Gorilla You're a Desperado", on the same album, was inspired, in part, by these opening lines from THE DOOMSTERS: "I was dreaming about a hairless ape who lived in a cage by himself. His trouble was that people were always trying to get in. It kept the ape in a state of nervous tension."

Hi, DCloyce Smith!
First, just wanted to say (as have others) thanks for all the new updates regarding
forthcoming titles!! (Love me some LeGuin and O'Hara, so those two are exceptionally groovy).

Has the editor working on Ross MacDonald's line mentioned anything about what will, or might, be included
in the third and final volume?

I'm a new LOA subscriber, actually awaiting the mailing which will allow me to mark which volumes will be shipped to me. I was considering a McDonald on the strength of the online description, but haven't actually read any (except perhaps a short story, have to look it up). With this thread, I am persuaded I should add one at least.

The several mentions of his later novels being better have inclined me to choose volume 2. Anyone think volume 1 is a better place to start, given that the third isn't yet available and there's no guarantee I'll plonk for both volumes?

elenchus, you will really enjoy your LOA subscription. I have read a few early Ross MacDonald novels, so I can't speak for the later ones, but the early ones are among the best mystery novels I have ever read. I honestly liked reading MacDonald better than Chandler, If I had to choose.

I have cleared a shelf for my first year's LOA arrivals! A bit precious, perhaps, but I know I won't read them all in one year so this way they'll be a bit more front-and-center. I don't know that I would have chosen to receive titles "at random", but I find myself looking forward to finding out what the first volume will be! Both Macdonald and Chandler are among those I've selected, so we'll see. I chose the 1950s novels, I believe only that volume is available now but your review has me that much more impatient for it to arrive.

I blew right through both Hammett and Chandler. I don't know if you have Hammett's two volumes on your list as well, but they are worth consideration. One collects Hammett's five novels, and the other is full of short stories. The short story volume doesn't collect all of his stories, but with so many different short story collections out there, it feels like the best attempt to collect them that I have run across. MacDonald seems like the natural successor to Chandler, and Hammett seems to have less in common with the other two, though they all get lumped together for whatever reason.

I have considered both Hammett volumes, no doubt they're as fine as the other LOA volumes. But I already own an omnibus of the 5 novels, and a softcover collection of short stories, Nightmare Town. I figure I should read those first, and if I think I'll re-read them, then pick them up from LOA.

If there weren't so many other LOA editions I covet, it would be easier to add the Hammett!

Hi, DCloyce Smith: With the publication of the second volume just around the corner, is there any news, yet -- from Tom Nolan, or otherwise -- of which titles will be included in the THIRD Ross MacDonald volume from LOA? (Looks like the second volume is starting to sell well, once again, on Amazon, prepublication, so it'll be interesting to see how well it does in the next month or three).

Hey DCloyceSmith!

Any chance you'll throw us MacDonald Mavens a bone and drop a hint -- or a fact -- about what contents
will be included in LOA collection number three of his oeuvre?

Been watching the numbers on that second volume -- mine is on the way! Cool. -- on Amazon (not the end all and be all, I know) and this second volume seems to be selling almost as well, perhaps as well, as the first.

Thanks!

>25 Truett:

It looks like the third volume won't be published for a while. We haven't been able to schedule it, and (more to the point) we don't have signed contracts yet, so I can't reveal the possible table of contents. We hope to have more information by the end of the year.

--David

Appreciate the update, and it's encouraging that it's still on the docket albeit without a publication date. I'm looking forward to dipping into some American noir this year, and the first Ross volume is part of my subscription.

I'm with elenchus, DcloyceSmith: thanks for the update.
And here's hoping that wait for the signed contracts is ONLY due to red tape and schedules. Can't recall if there were/are many MacDonald relatives to deal with -- I recall his daughter died quite young -- but I don't think that would suddenly become a problem after two volumes. So here's hoping Tom Nolan, editor, isn't asking for TOO large of a raise (if that's the hold-up)! :)

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first Macdonald volume: confirmed it shipped as my May subscription book.

I recently read Hammett's Red Harvest and really found it superb, and also one of Philip K. Dick's novels from the first LOA volume. I'm going to have a little hardboiled / noir reading theme for 2016.

We have reached an agreement to publish the third Ross Macdonald volume, which will be published in July 2017 and will include the following four novels:

Black Money (1966)
The Instant Enemy (1967)
The Goodbye Look (1969)
The Underground Man (1971)

--David

Yes!

Excelsior!
Can't complain about a third Ross Macdonald book!
Shame the editor couldn't work it out to have four titles in the second volume (including
BLACK MONEY, there, instead) so that SLEEPING BEAUTY -- with it's heavy resonance in
Macdonald's personal life, fairytale undertones, and dedication to Eudora Welty --could've been the fourth title for this third volume.

But I'm still thrilled by the agreement, and by the not-so-far-off publication date!
Thanks for the update DCloyceSmith! :)

Of course, it there is a FOURTH Macdonald book in the works -- with his last two novels, say, and his short stories -- then all of my whinging will have worthwhile. ;) :)

DCLOYCE SMITH: Don't know if you have a way of contacting him, but if Tom Nolan -- assuming he is editing the third volume of Ross MacDonald novels -- hasn't yet been made aware of IT'S ALL ONE CASE: The Illustrated Ross MacDonald Archives by Paul Nelson and Kevin Avery, with Jeff Wong (Fantagraphics), you might want to give him a "head's up". It's an AMAZING piece of literary archaeology, not just for the many photos of the many versions of the books MacDonald published (or books, like those by Henri Coulette, which inspired him): it also has the transcripts of a loooong series of interviews conducted by Paul Nelson way back in 1976. Apparently those interviews sat around -- unused!! -- for decades, before finally appearing in this terrific volume. It might be well worth mentioning in the chronology at the back of the third volume (or at least of great interest to Mr. Nolan).

Greetings from France,
Like many I've always liked Ross MacDonalds Lew Archer novels I still have Archer PI novel bought in the 70's. I have a question , some 15 years ago I was visiting the U.S and caught part of The Zebra-Striped Hearse on radio , done similar to BBC adaptations of the Philip Marlowe novels, with a full cast, since then I've tried to find a way of buying a copy of it, bought one which turned out to be a normal audiobook read by an actor, I would really be grateful if someone can point me in the right direction,I believe there is also a full cast recording of Sleeping Beauty available.
thank a lot, Albie F

>36 Albie_Fraser:
The radio program you describe was most likely produced for National Public Radio (npr.org), but nothing comes up when I search their store. You might try calling them to see if anyone remembers the series.

Also, I get a few hits when I search Google with “zebra striped hearse youtube.” I wouldn’t be too optimistic that one of the links is what you are looking for, but it’s possible.

>36 Albie_Fraser:

The LOA edition includes a chronology which could include some detail on that. I'll try to remember to look it up in my edition (does not contain Zebra Striped Hearse but the chronology covers Macdonald's entire life so may include details on any radio play). I'm not at home now but when I'm home tonight.

ETA Corrected my lapse in writing "MacMurray" instead of "Macdonald", an error I'm prone to but never quite sure why.

I reviewed the Chronology in my volume and didn't find anything related to a radio play for Zebra. I found several mentions of it online, however, some of which have been taken down. Here's one still available: http://articles.latimes.com/2000/dec/31/news/cl-6643

>36 Albie_Fraser: It's available from BBC Audio through many audiobook distributors. Here's two of them:

https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAACfdVN13M

https://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Zebra-Striped-Hearse-Audioboo...

Hi,
a bit late, been back in Cape Town attending to family matters, but I did manage to get the full cast recording of The Zebra-Striped Hearse.Thanks for all the replies.
I've now got all theRoss MacDonald novels that are available in Audiobook format plus the fullest Zebra-Stripped Hearse, same for the Travis McGee books by John D. MacDonald.

Thanks