Customer Reviews

Border Town Girl

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Border Town Girl by the legendary John D. MacDonald consists of two unrelated novellas. The first novella also goes by the name "Border Town Girl" and was written in 1950, the second is entitled "Linda" and dates back to 1956.

"Border Town Girl" is an interesting tale of redemption that unfolds in the unlikely setting of Baker, TX right on the Rio Grande. It is there that Lane Sanson, a washed up writer, meets Diana Saybree, a gangster's girlfriend. Against a backdrop of drug smuggling and murder, each manages to help the other reclaim their respective lives. Though not in the way you might imagine.

In "Linda", narrator Paul Cowley is an intelligent but naive suburbanite who has been married for a number of years to the beautiful but shallow title character, Linda. As the compelling narrative unfolds, it becomes shockingly apparent that Paul has been living with someone he has never really known. A viscerally engaging page turner.

Both novellas are excellent, though "Linda" is the more jarring of the two. A fascinating book that provides plenty of bang for the buck. Highly recommended.

This is a public service announcement. I've read online about people searching for the book called "Linda" by John D. MacDonald. Doesn't seem to exist, even though a movie was made from it long ago. Well, it's in the two-novella collection called "Border Town Girl." "Linda" is, for me, one of MacDonald's best. To call it a character study suggests it is not compelling, plot-driven, edge-of-your-seat suspense fiction. It just happens to have a startlingly real portrayal of its main character. For those who like "Linda," try "Clemmie" as well. And, of course, don't miss the Travis McGee series. See my other reviews for other MacDonald recommendations.