Edward Bunker was een Amerikaanse auteur van misdaadfictie, scenarioschrijver en acteur. Zijn literaire werk put rechtstreeks uit zijn eigen ervaringen met een leven vol misdaad en gevangenschap, waarbij hij diepgaande inzichten overbrengt in de psyche van individuen aan de rand van de samenleving. Bunker's schrijven kenmerkt zich door zijn rauwe realisme en onverschrokken verkenning van thema's als schuld, verlossing en het meedogenloze streven naar zelfbeschikking. Hij maakte de overstap van een crimineel verleden naar een gevierde literaire carrière en bood lezers een uniek en authentiek perspectief.
The basis for the film Straight Time, this compelling novel, first published in 1973 and written by a man who had spent most of his life in prison, is the story of an ex-con's attempt to negotiate the straight world--and his swan dive back into the paradoxical security of crime. Features a new introduction by William Styron.
Drawing from his tumultuous upbringing as the son of an alcoholic father and a chorus girl, the author shares his journey from being the youngest inmate in San Quentin at seventeen to becoming a prominent voice in prison literature. His firsthand experiences navigating the harsh realities of Los Angeles streets and the prison system provide the foundation for his impactful storytelling, revealing the gritty and poignant elements that shape his acclaimed novels.
Edward Bunker's life is beyond the imaginings of most fiction writers. He was born in Hollywood, California, the son of a stagehand and a chorus girl, whose early divorce propelled him into a series of boarding homes and military schools.
Best known for his role as Mr Blue in Quentin Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs', Edward Bunker also drew on his own personal experiences to become one of America's greatest contemporary crime writers. This collection of never-before-seen stories takes the reader into his world of crime and punishment.
Young Alex Hamilton is intelligent and independent but given to sudden fits of rage. Rebellious since his parents split up, Alex is constantly absconding from foster homes and institutions to be with his father, a broken man who can't give his son the home he desperately needs. Surrounded by well meaning, over worked social workers, vicious and cruel authority figures, and always by no good peers, Alex is on a collision course with the law and himself.
Stark is a rat and a con artist. Nobody's friend. Stark thinks he can beat the suckers and outsmart the cops - and when a big score comes his way, he's lucky to escape with his life. For four others on the job, things don't work out so well. Described by James Ellroy as the greatest armed robbery novel ever written, this is Bunker's first effort, written in the early 1960s and discovered only after his death - an exclusive UK publication of the early work of a crime writing legend.
The narrative centers on Troy Cameron, a reformatory graduate, as he embarks on a violent crime spree alongside fellow alumni Diesel Carson and Mad Dog Cain. The story is marked by its intense realism and explores themes of morality and social issues, reflecting Bunker's own experiences. This brutal and gripping tale delves into the lives of its characters, showcasing the harsh realities they face and the choices they make.
Ronald Decker, first-time San Quentin intern doing minor time for an insignificant offence, is befriended by hardened old-timer Earl Copen and introduced into the White Brotherhood. When Ron rejects a homosexual advance by another con the pair are led to an act of ultimately fatal violence and, in desperation, seize a remote chance of escape.
This collection showcases the insights of a four-time Edgar Award winner, offering a deep dive into the craft of fiction writing. Lawrence Block shares his expertise through a series of essays that explore various aspects of storytelling, character development, and the writing process. Aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike will find valuable guidance and inspiration in his reflections on the art and challenges of creating compelling narratives.
The tale of three unremorseful criminals with two felony convictions apiece and no more chances. Under California's 'Three Strikes' law, one more conviction - even for shoplifting - carries a mandatory life sentence with no prospect of remission. But a law intended to deter career criminals has the opposite effect on these three. Combined they have spent a lifetime behind bars and have no idea, or intention, of leading a straight life under rules set by a system they have never belonged to.