Carla - Paperback
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About Carla
Carla is a classic erotic novel by acclaimed author Lawrence Block. The story follows a beautiful woman plucked from a Polish slum to become the wife of a wealthy man who provides everything material—except the passion and pleasure she desperately craves while he sleeps beside her.
When opportunity presents itself with a filling-station attendant, Carla's carefully controlled life unravels. The grease-stained floor of a mechanic's shop becomes the setting for her first act of adultery, igniting a journey into infidelity that spirals beyond her control. As she discovers that betrayal requires no effort at all, Carla transforms from dutiful wife to something entirely different.
From the Author
Carla was Lawrence Block's first published novel, written in the summer of 1958 after returning from a vacation in Mexico. When his agent asked if he could write a sex novel, Block crafted a story set in his hometown of Buffalo during the final weeks before returning to college.
Published by Midway Tower Books, founded by Harry Shorten of Archie Comics, the novel made an immediate impression. Block recalls meeting the publisher, who couldn't stop discussing the infamous grease pit scene at the gas station.
The book contains a unique literary quirk: after the initial manuscript was deemed too short, Block's agent requested an additional chapter that could be inserted anywhere in the book. Block delivered exactly that—a self-contained chapter with no specific placement requirements. Fellow author Don Westlake considered this a remarkable achievement.
Block himself notes that while Carla holds special significance as his debut publication, readers new to his work should know that his later novels show continued growth and refinement. Still, this paperback edition offers insight into the early career of a prolific author who would go on to achieve literary acclaim.
From the author...
Carla was my first published novel. In the summer of 1958 I came home from a vacation in Mexico to a note from my agent: Did I know what a sex novel was? Could I write one? We both knew I could write a book, I'd sent him one then under consideration at Gold Medal, and now I sat down and wrote a portion and outline of a book to be set in my hometown of Buffalo, where I was spending what remained of the summer before going back to college in the fall.
Midway Tower Books, a new publisher founded by Harry Shorten of Archie Comics, lapped up Carla, so to speak. I met Harry some months later, and all he wanted to talk about was the scene in the grease put at the gas station. I guess it really worked for him.
One other thing perhaps worth noting. After my portion and outline had been okayed, I completed the book. Then my agent let me know that it was a little too short. Could I please write another chapter to be inserted anywhere in the book?
That was a poser, as the plot--such as it was--didn't have a lot of leftover space in it. But I figured out what to write, and sent along a chapter with the notation that it could indeed be inserted anywhere in the book. My good buddy Don Westlake, who also labored some in the Shorten vineyard, thought this was a remarkable tour de force, but I'm not so sure. I mean, what else was I supposed to do?
You can probably spot the chapter in question.
As I said, Carla was my first published book, and that's reason enough for me to be pleased by its renewed availability. It may even be reason enough for you to read it. I'd hope, though, that it's not your very first exposure to my work.
Still, if it is, there's a bright side. From here on, they get better.
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About Carla
Carla is a classic erotic novel by acclaimed author Lawrence Block. The story follows a beautiful woman plucked from a Polish slum to become the wife of a wealthy man who provides everything material—except the passion and pleasure she desperately craves while he sleeps beside her.
When opportunity presents itself with a filling-station attendant, Carla's carefully controlled life unravels. The grease-stained floor of a mechanic's shop becomes the setting for her first act of adultery, igniting a journey into infidelity that spirals beyond her control. As she discovers that betrayal requires no effort at all, Carla transforms from dutiful wife to something entirely different.
From the Author
Carla was Lawrence Block's first published novel, written in the summer of 1958 after returning from a vacation in Mexico. When his agent asked if he could write a sex novel, Block crafted a story set in his hometown of Buffalo during the final weeks before returning to college.
Published by Midway Tower Books, founded by Harry Shorten of Archie Comics, the novel made an immediate impression. Block recalls meeting the publisher, who couldn't stop discussing the infamous grease pit scene at the gas station.
The book contains a unique literary quirk: after the initial manuscript was deemed too short, Block's agent requested an additional chapter that could be inserted anywhere in the book. Block delivered exactly that—a self-contained chapter with no specific placement requirements. Fellow author Don Westlake considered this a remarkable achievement.
Block himself notes that while Carla holds special significance as his debut publication, readers new to his work should know that his later novels show continued growth and refinement. Still, this paperback edition offers insight into the early career of a prolific author who would go on to achieve literary acclaim.
From the author...
Carla was my first published novel. In the summer of 1958 I came home from a vacation in Mexico to a note from my agent: Did I know what a sex novel was? Could I write one? We both knew I could write a book, I'd sent him one then under consideration at Gold Medal, and now I sat down and wrote a portion and outline of a book to be set in my hometown of Buffalo, where I was spending what remained of the summer before going back to college in the fall.
Midway Tower Books, a new publisher founded by Harry Shorten of Archie Comics, lapped up Carla, so to speak. I met Harry some months later, and all he wanted to talk about was the scene in the grease put at the gas station. I guess it really worked for him.
One other thing perhaps worth noting. After my portion and outline had been okayed, I completed the book. Then my agent let me know that it was a little too short. Could I please write another chapter to be inserted anywhere in the book?
That was a poser, as the plot--such as it was--didn't have a lot of leftover space in it. But I figured out what to write, and sent along a chapter with the notation that it could indeed be inserted anywhere in the book. My good buddy Don Westlake, who also labored some in the Shorten vineyard, thought this was a remarkable tour de force, but I'm not so sure. I mean, what else was I supposed to do?
You can probably spot the chapter in question.
As I said, Carla was my first published book, and that's reason enough for me to be pleased by its renewed availability. It may even be reason enough for you to read it. I'd hope, though, that it's not your very first exposure to my work.
Still, if it is, there's a bright side. From here on, they get better.
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