Art student Ralph Tone is working in Miami as a bellboy. He meets Hollywood hopeful Maria Duigan and falls head over heels for the ambitious beauty. As Ralph fuels his obsession by booze, pills, and lack of sleep, they both quickly become entangled with sleazy pornographer Donald McKay. Charles Willeford's MADE IN MIAMI was originally released to the unsuspecting masses in 1958 under the title LUST IS A WOMAN by a publisher incapable of spelling the author's name correctly on the cover. Written in white heat by "the unlikely father of Miami crime fiction" (Atlantic Monthly) to match the requirements of the market, the book remains a textbook example of lurid 1950s pulp fiction. It was also a springboard to the author's later masterpieces MIAMI BLUES and SIDESWIPE.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A disappointing effort by a legendary author.,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Made in Miami (Paperback)
Lurid, semi-pornographic and schlocky, Made in Miami is a prime example of 1950s pulp fiction in its most inartistic, mediocre form. Written by the great Charles Willeford, this book lacks all the appealing attributes on which the author's reputation is based. Willeford's wit, irony, unselfconscious honesty and iconoclastic spirit are all missing from the pages of this lackluster and forgettable work, originally titled Lust is a Woman.
The great thing about authors like Charles Willeford and Jim Thompson is that they took the less than reputable medium of pulp fiction and used it to sneak good, thoughtful writing into the consciousness of an unsuspecting public. Unfortunately with Made in Miami, Willeford used his prodigious talent to simply replicate the unimaginative but titilating writing so popular at the time. Had this book not been written by Willeford, it would have deservedly remained out of print for another fifty years. Clearly, Made in Miami was hastily thrown together by a cash strapped artist in order to turn a quick dollar. I can't recommend this book. It's the equivalent of hiring Picasso to whitewash a barn.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
obscure Willeford still reads better than most...,
By mondodave (Los Angeles, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Made in Miami (Paperback)
Though described as written "in white heat" on the cover, I suspect Willeford put more care into this highly readable addition to his fatalistic oeuvre. This one is a solid page turner. All of his hallmarks are here, the casual sociopath, elements of black comedy, highly detailed descriptions of food and locale, as well as the shocking, ironic ending that characterized some of his early books. I've read 'em all, and this one is no less compelling. It reminded me of Donald Goines' "Dopefiend"in the beat by beat "turning out" of a beautiful and vain young women into prostitution. I found it very unsettling and creepy, because it's rendered with the utmost authority, similar to Goines' grittier trajectory's, though no less authentic. As usual, the quality of writing here transcends its humble pulp origins ... as does Willeford, in talent, vision, humor and absurdist world view. As the years go on, I am more impressed with the man's work -- I just wished there was more of it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not great Willeford,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Made in Miami (Paperback)
I am a certified Willeford freak! I have read other early Willeford and this does not compare to other works from Mr. Willeford. If it wasn't one of his books, I don't think I would have finished it. It was not up to the standards I expect from his work. The writing style isn't up to par although the story is pretty interesting. If you're new to Willeford, I would recomment looking for other works by him. If you're into Willeford, you'll probably get it anyway.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
