Gun in Cheek

Gun in Cheek is a compilation of excerpts and analysis from pulp mystery and crime fiction published between 1920-1960. The book showcases examples of unintentionally humorous writing, plot holes, and logical failures from these vintage novels. Pronzini organizes the material into categories like dialogue, character descriptions, and improbable scenarios. He provides commentary on each excerpt, explaining the context and highlighting the elements that make them examples of "alternative classics." The book includes analysis of works by both obscure pulp authors and established names in the mystery genre. It maintains a balance between appreciation for these works' entertainment value and recognition of their technical flaws. The book stands as both a celebration and critique of a specific era in genre fiction, demonstrating how even published works can serve as examples of what to avoid in crime writing. Through its examination of these "alternative classics," it reveals broader patterns about the evolution of mystery fiction conventions.

Readers praise Pronzini's humorous approach to reviewing bad mystery novels, with many appreciating how he points out ridiculous plots and poor writing while maintaining affection for the genre. Multiple reviews note the book serves as both entertainment and a guide to "alternative classics" worth reading for their unintentional comedy. Readers highlight the extensive quotes from the original novels that demonstrate the writing issues Pronzini discusses. Several mention discovering new authors through the book's examples. Main criticism focuses on repetitive examples and an occasionally mean-spirited tone toward some authors. Some readers wanted more analysis of why certain writing doesn't work rather than just mockery. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (11 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (28 ratings) A Goodreads reviewer wrote: "Like sitting with a knowledgeable friend who shares your love of mystery fiction while gently poking fun at its worst examples."

Son of Gun in Cheek by Bill Pronzini A collection of excerpts from poorly written mystery novels with commentary on their unintentional humor.

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🔍 "Gun in Cheek" specifically examines and celebrates "alternative classics" - detective novels so badly written they become unintentionally entertaining. 📚 Bill Pronzini coined the term "alternative classic" to describe these works, which later became widely used among mystery fiction collectors and critics. 🏆 The book was so successful that Pronzini wrote a sequel called "Son of Gun in Cheek" in 1987, focusing on more recent examples of memorably bad mystery fiction. ✍️ The author maintains one of the largest private collections of mystery fiction in the United States, which helped him source many of the obscure works featured in the book. 📖 Many of the novels critiqued in "Gun in Cheek" have become valuable collectors' items precisely because Pronzini's humorous analysis brought them to wider attention.