Great Trash books - Page 2

BretWeir · #11 05-18-2006, 05:39 PM

If you're looking for something along the lines of Chandler, then Dashiell Hammett, James M. Cain and Ross MacDonald are all good. Jim Thompson too, though it's more like hillbilly noir.

Second on Ian Fleming. Other good spy-type authors to check out: Eric Ambler and Alan Furst are good.

All of these are at least passably well-written and not exactly trash, but they won't make your brain hurt either.

Olof · #12 05-18-2006, 06:23 PM

Ian Rankin (at least his Rebus books) and Elmore Leonard are both very productive and readable writers. But I wouldn't refer to them as trash.

Elevens · #13 05-18-2006, 10:31 PM

There's a whole series of these books. They're great.

ElaineMonster · #14 05-19-2006, 12:21 AM

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One of my perpetual challenges in life is finding fantastic trashy books to relax with.

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There's actually a book called Trash by Dorothy Allison that was recommended to me and is still sitting on a bookshelf. I should read it. I think it's got some hot lesbian sex in it.
I kid.
Amazon: "In 14 gritty, intimate stories, Allison's fictional persona exposes with poetic frankness the complexities of being 'a cross-eyed working-class lesbian, addicted to violence, language, and hope,' rebelling against the Southern 'poor white trash' roots that inevitably define her."
Yeah, maybe that's not what you're looking for.

edfurlong · #15 05-19-2006, 02:05 AM

I'll throw in a plug for Carl Hiassen. Its trash, but really fun trash.

Phat Mack · #16 05-19-2006, 02:55 AM

I think the greatest trash novel of all time is War and Peace. I waded through 1300 pages of that sucker hoping against hope that someone would bitch-slap Natasha. Also some good battle scenes, and some well drawn characters. Check it out.

cambraceres · #17 05-19-2006, 04:23 AM

Whoever's book of insane trivia/amazing knowledge/incredible records

Or take a book from another language that you want to learn, then the english translation and do the obvious. It helps flights go by quicker IMO.

Cam

britspin · #18 05-19-2006, 08:37 AM

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I'm not sure if they would qualify as "trash", but I enjoy the original Ian Fleming Bond novels. They are breezy reads, with lots of sex and violence.

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I second these. These are great books. Exciting, fast reads. Hell, I've read them all at least 5 times each.

I did do a review of Casino Royale here, if you're interested.

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Thanks- I've never read a Bond book. I'm told they're darker than the films, and much more interesting, but never read them. This is something I should rectify.

Hey_Porter · #19 05-19-2006, 11:20 AM

Based on your exclusion of Stephen King and Michael Crichton, I would assume that John Grisham is out. If he isn't, well, John Grisham. Very quick reads, and mindless.

kevyk · #20 05-19-2006, 02:16 PM

Diebitter,

I'm interested to know your opinion of the Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser. They've acheived cult status here in the States, but I understand that they're a good bit more popular in the UK. I wouldn't really describe them as trash, altough they do share a certain literary kinship with the Bond series.
KK