Gentleman Junkie and Other Stories of the Hung-Up Generation
Encyclopedia
Gentleman Junkie and Other Stories of the Hung-Up Generation is an early collection of short stories
by Harlan Ellison
, originally published in paperback
in 1961. Most of the stories were written while Ellison was a draftee in the United States army between 1957 and 1959. These were sold to Rogue Magazine, a pulp fiction magazine of the era. Other stories in the collection had appeared previously in publications ranging from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
to a Chicago
weekly newspaper
.
Gentleman Junkie... is different from many of Ellison's subsequent short story collections in that none of the stories are in the speculative fiction
genre
. The stories provide social commentary on racial discrimination, bigotry, and other forms of injustice prevalent in United States
during the 1950s. In particular, 'Daniel White for the Greater Good' and 'The Night of Delicate Terrors' depict the plight of African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964
. Other stories also deal with oppression and injustice. 'Free With This Box' is based on an occurrence in Ellison's childhood and describes abuse of power by police.
Dorothy Parker
famously gave it a good review, saying Ellison was "a good, honest, clean writer, putting down what he has seen and known, and no sensationalism about it." Ellison has since stated that the positive review from such a prominent literary figure changed his life and gave him a sense of validation as an author.
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
by Harlan Ellison
Harlan Ellison
Harlan Jay Ellison is an American writer. His principal genre is speculative fiction.His published works include over 1,700 short stories, novellas, screenplays, teleplays, essays, a wide range of criticism covering literature, film, television, and print media...
, originally published in paperback
Paperback
Paperback, softback or softcover describe and refer to a book by the nature of its binding. The covers of such books are usually made of paper or paperboard, and are usually held together with glue rather than stitches or staples...
in 1961. Most of the stories were written while Ellison was a draftee in the United States army between 1957 and 1959. These were sold to Rogue Magazine, a pulp fiction magazine of the era. Other stories in the collection had appeared previously in publications ranging from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine is a monthly digest size fiction magazine specializing in crime and detective fiction. AHMM is named for Alfred Hitchcock, the famed director of suspense films and television.-History:...
to a Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
weekly newspaper
Weekly newspaper
A weekly newspaper is a general-news publication that is published on newsprint once or twice a week.Such newspapers tend to have smaller circulations than daily newspapers, and are usually based in less-populous communities or small, defined areas within large cities; often, they may cover a...
.
Gentleman Junkie... is different from many of Ellison's subsequent short story collections in that none of the stories are in the speculative fiction
Speculative fiction
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as...
genre
Literary genre
A literary genre is a category of literary composition. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or even length. Genre should not be confused with age category, by which literature may be classified as either adult, young-adult, or children's. They also must not be confused...
. The stories provide social commentary on racial discrimination, bigotry, and other forms of injustice prevalent in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the 1950s. In particular, 'Daniel White for the Greater Good' and 'The Night of Delicate Terrors' depict the plight of African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Civil Rights Act of 1964
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation...
. Other stories also deal with oppression and injustice. 'Free With This Box' is based on an occurrence in Ellison's childhood and describes abuse of power by police.
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was an American poet, short story writer, critic and satirist, best known for her wit, wisecracks, and eye for 20th century urban foibles....
famously gave it a good review, saying Ellison was "a good, honest, clean writer, putting down what he has seen and known, and no sensationalism about it." Ellison has since stated that the positive review from such a prominent literary figure changed his life and gave him a sense of validation as an author.
Contents
- Foreword (by Frank M. Robinson)
- Introduction: The Children of Nights (1961 edition)
- New Introduction: The Children of Nights (1975 edition)
- Final Shtick
- Gentleman Junkie
- May We Also Speak? Four Statements from the Hung-Up Generation:
- Now You're on the Box!
- The Rocks of Gogroth
- Payment Returned, Unopened
- The Truith
- Daniel White for the Greater Good
- Lady Bug, Lady Bug
- Free With This Box!
- There's One on Every Campus
- At the Mountains of Blindness
- This is Jackie Spinning
- No Game for Children
- The Late, Great Arnie Draper
- High Dice
- Enter the Fanatic, Stage Center
- Someone is Hungrier
- Memory of a Muted Trumpe
- The Time of the Eye (1961 edition)
- Turnpike (1975 edition)
- Sally in Our Alley
- The Silence of Infidelity
- Have Coolth
- RFD #2 (with H. Slesar)
- No Fourth Commandment
- The Night of Delicate Terrors