Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 25 - Ember Library Books

Acquired Tastes XLIII: Gay Pulp Fiction, Part 25 - 

Ember Library Books

Continuing on with our examination of Greenleaf Classics' numerous imprints, today we focus on Ember Library Books which were published from October, 1965 thru September, 1967. Of the 96 books published during its two-year history, only five of the titles were gay-oriented. 

The hetero-oriented material included some pretty light fare... use of the words 'sin' and 'shame' featured prominently in the titles. There was a series devoted to someone named 'Sadisto', along with several James Bond-themed titles.

Starting in February, 1967 and continuing until July, 1967, Ember Library Books began publishing a single gay-oriented title - one per month, with the exception of the month of May.

Two of the books should look familiar, as they are a part of the popular C.A.M.P. series. Read more about the series, here. And both of the author's names have been featured numerous times in past posts. All the artwork was done by Greenleaf Classic's master illustrator in residence, Robert Bonfils. 

Well, this should be short and sweet...

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This is the first of two Man from C.A.M.P. novels.

Rally Round the Fag

Author: Don Holliday (Victor J. Banis)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"OLE'! C.A.M.P.'s crusader capes his way to 

another moment of truth!"

I never noticed the red blotches (blood?) on his bottom area before. Eww. A little disturbing (I hope it was from the bull!). And what is going on with the font for the word 'fag'? What is that? You can learn more about Victor J. Banis, here.

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A foray into the world of the bi-sexual...

AC-DC Stud

Author: J.X. Williams (Victor J. Banis)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"A lover and his lady... and his laddie!"

The 'laddie' looks like one of the walking dead (or maybe he's one of the boys from My Chemical Romance). And I rather like the blonde nympho's outfit. Our Miss Maddie could rock that look! Oh, and J.X. Williams is a little like Alan Smithee, in the sense that, through the years, many people have used that name to hide their true identities - authors and film directors, alike. So, that is not a pseudonym unique to Victor J. Banis (unlike so many of his others). 

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This particular entry is frequently sited as a classic of the overall genre. So, imagine my surprise when I read that it is not all that well-written! I have not one, but two sources who claim it is almost unreadable (in fact, one of them did not get all the way through it). I pulled a few choice lines, shared by one of its critics. Still, that cover! Considered one of Robert Bonfils' best.

Go Down, Aaron

Author: Chris Davidson (Christian Davies)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"Third-sex salve to The Third Reich's brutal lust!"

Aaron, a young Jewish man, submits to sexual abuse by the Nazis in order to escape the gas-chamber.

So, I haven't read this book, but I have read about this book. It seems to be the story of a young Jewish man who is arrested by the Nazis, then raped repeatedly. Then he escapes, but is immediately recaptured (apparently the author covers the escape and recapture in a single sentence - yes, you read that right - a single sentence). And, of course, upon being recaptured, poor Aaron is abused all over again.

Here are a couple of lines from the book:

Upon entering a bathroom to shower: "He was suddenly aware of his own fragile pubic hair."

After Aaron is recaptured, his new Nazi captor describes him this way: "And such heavy balls, too. Huge! Believe me, I know. I've had plenty of experience with men before."

I found a copy for sale! Only $175. (Yes. This stuff is highly sought after. I also found a similar title from Brandon Books listed for $790.  We'll get to that imprint eventually).

Back Cover

"The Nazis had used Aaron’s tortured flesh in every conceivable way, and still he continued to submit to their twisted hungers in order to escape the gas-chamber’s ultimate seduction. But there was no way for him to escape what he had become, a perverse tool of Nazi degradation, the target of every sadist and deviate in the Third Reich!"

Hmmm... "the gas-chamber's ultimate seduction"?? 

Interesting interpretation.

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Chris is back with another one...

A Different Drum

Author: Chris Davidson (Christian Davies)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"They heard and... and answered... the compelling call of..."

Apparently Christian Davies leaves no war un-smirched. This one appears to be Civil War related. I do love the red long johns (union suit) the man in the foreground appears to be putting back on. I mean, I assume, based on the grins adorning their handsome mugs, these two have just completed the dirty deed and are headed back to battle. How nice that they were able to get a room and not have to do it in a tent (been there, done that - and trust me, it has its limitations). 

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And the other Man From C.A.M.P. entry...

The Gay Dogs

Author: Don Holliday (Victor J. Banis)

Cover Art: Robert Bonfils

"It's that Man from C.A.M.P. again... in the case 

of the purloined pets!"

Purloined pets! I love alliteration. Check out that dominatrix in the peek-a-boo bra and calf-high go-go boots! You know? This brings to mind those drive-in movies that they advertised on television about The Doberman Gang (1972, 1973). They proved very popular and made mad money for the producers. I was gaga for movies back then and actually would have gone to see those, if I ever actually go to go anywhere as a kid. Because - hey... As Seen On TV! Which was like getting the Good Housekeeping seal of approval in those days. Also... drive-in movie theatres! Very forbidden stuff!

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Well, that is all for this week. We'll be tackling another Greenleaf Classics imprint  (we have a few left) next week. 

Until then...

Thanks for reading.

A Different Drum - Linda Ronstadt 

and the Stone Poneys