Cynthia Allen

February 2003 SLIS 5960.004 The Life of the Dime o!el or "hy #o$ular %ea&in' "a( ot #o$ular A)ST%ACT "hen *ra(tu( )ea&le +ame u$ ,ith the i&ea for &ime no!el( in the -.50( he +oul& not ha!e /no,n ho, it ,oul& re!olutioni0e the $o$ular rea&in' material of the &ay. Ameri+an( by the thou(an&( ($ent the ne1t 50260 year( rea&in' hun&re&( an& hun&re&( of the(e (hort $a$er ba+/ no!el(. 3o(t of the (torie( feature& heroe( ,ho ,ent to e1treme len'th(4 an& the ri(/ of bo&ily harm4 to (a!e the &ay an& the &am(el. Almo(t a( e1+itin' a( the no!el( them(el!e( ,ere the len'th( $ubli(her( ,ent throu'h to 'et the &ime no!el( out. 5o,e!er4 in the -.60( ,hen youn' rea&er(4 e($e+ially boy(4 be'an to &i(+o!er the a&!enture( ,ithin the $a'e( +riti+i(m be'an to ri(e. "ere the(e &ime no!el( re+reational rea&in' or ,ere they bein' rea& to the &etriment of the rea&er an& (o+iety a( a ,hole7 Criti+( ,ere a&amant that the(e &ime no!el( ,ere not of the 8uality Ameri+an youth (houl& be rea&in' an& that they (houl& be banne&. DI3* 9:*L 5IST9%; Dime no!el( ,ere intro&u+e& to the Ameri+an rea&in' $ubli+ in the -.60(. Althou'h the ori'inal inten&e& au&ien+e ,a( a&ult(4 youth4 e($e+ially boy(4 be'an rea&in' the no!el( a( their $o$ularity 're,. Dime no!el( ,ere +hea$4 $a$erba+/ boo/( that feature& (en(ationali0e&4 melo&ramati+ $lot(. They ,ere ,ritten in (e!eral in(tallment( an& in+lu&e& +ha$ter( ,ith +liffhan'er en&in'( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 3=. Dime no!el( ,ere ,ritten about e!ery to$i+ ima'inable ,ith the fir(t (am$lin'( in+lu&in' (torie( of early Ameri+an frontier an& the ,e(t <Co1 1!=. A( $o$ularity 're, an& more &ime no!el( ,ere bein' ,ritten a ,i&e ran'e of to$i+( ,ere in+or$orate& in+lu&in'> +ir+u(4 railroa&in'4 (+ien+e fi+tion an& fanta(y4 fire fi'htin'4 ($ort(4 a&!enture( in far a,ay $la+e(4 ,e(tern(4 (ea (torie( <#olar e1$loration bein' a fa!orite.=4 an& 'ol& minin' <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -.=. 9ften +urrent i((ue( an& $o$ular $eo$le of the &ay ,ere refle+te& in the $lot( a( ,ell. Al(o4 in the late -.00( &ete+ti!e +hara+ter( be+ame !ery $o$ular. The fir(t &ime no!el to be $ubli(he& ,a( ,ritten by 3r(. Ann Ste$hen(4 3alae(/a4 the In&ian "ife of the "hite 5unter. It ha& $re!iou(ly been $ubli(he& in the La&ie( Com$anion in -.39 <Co14 250= an& ,a( $ubli(he& by )ea&le an& A&am( a( the fir(t )ea&le Dime o!el in -.60 <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 3=. From -.602-.64 )ea&le an& A&am( $ubli(he& a ne, )ea&le Dime o!el e!ery t,o ,ee/(4 for a total of 32- no!el( $ubli(he& by thi( $ubli(hin' +om$any alone in a fourteen2year $erio&. The )ea&le Dime o!el( ,ere 4 ? 6 in+he( in (i0e an& ha& about -00 $a'e(. *a+h one +o(t ten +ent( <Co14 1iii=. In the -.30(4 there ha& ha& been an attem$t to $ubli(h $a$er2+o!ere& no!el( for the 'eneral $ubli+. They ,ere (li'htly lar'er than &ime no!el(4 but the $ri+e of t,enty2 fi!e +ent( a +o$y ma&e them too e1$en(i!e for mo(t $eo$le <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -4=.

2-2

Cynthia Allen Dime no!el( +ame alon' at @u(t the ri'ht time to ta/e a&!anta'e of a&!an+e( in e&u+ation4 te+hnolo'y4 an& tran($ortation. Com$ul(ory e&u+ation la,( $a((e& in the -.60( rai(e& the litera+y rate an& +reate& a youn' 'eneration of rea&er( ,ith little a!ailable rea&in' material. Te+hnolo'i+al a&!an+e(4 (u+h a( the rotary $re(( an& (tereoty$e& $late( ma&e ma(( $ro&u+tion of the &ime no!el( ine1$en(i!e <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 1ii=. Al(o4 the 'ro,th of the railroa& hel$e& to tie the &ifferent re'ion( of the +ountry to'ether an& ma&e frei'ht $ri+e( more affor&able <Co14 1!iii=. The $ubli(her( an& rea&er( of &ime no!el( rea$e& the benefit( of ea+h of the(e a&!an+e(. In the early &ay( of &ime no!el(4 )ea&le an& A&amB( tou'he(t +om$etition +ame from Ceor'e 3unro4 ,ho ha& at one time ,or/e& at )ea&le 5ou(e. 5o,e!er4 (e!eral other $ubli(her( @oine& the &ime no!el in&u(try a( lar'er an& lar'er $rofit( ,ere bein' ma&e. Durin' thi( time the term &ime no!el be+ame 'eneri+ an& not @u(t a((o+iate& ,ith )ea&le an& A&am(. Dime no!el +ame to mean any $a$er2+o!ere& fi+tion4 re'ar&le(( of the $ri+e <Co14 1iii=. 3o(t of the early &ime no!el( +o(t bet,een fi!e an& t,enty2fi!e +ent( an& ,ere aime& at a&ult au&ien+e(. 3any of the to$i+( &ealt ,ith $urely Ameri+an (ub@e+t( (u+h a( hi(tori+al fi+tion4 bio'ra$hie(4 the ,e(t4 an& ,ar( that the Dnite& State( ha& been in!ol!e& in <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -5=. The +o!er illu(tration ,a( u(e& to lure the rea&er in an& enti+e him to buy the boo/. )la+/ an& ,hite illu(tration( &e+orate& the +o!er( an& &e$i+te& the feat( of heroi(m4 a&!enture4 an& e1+itement +a$ture& in the ,or&( of the boo/. In the late -.90( one $ubli(hin' +om$any ha& arti(t &ra, the +o!er( fir(t an& then the (tory ,a( ,ritten to mat+h it. Thi( (ame +om$any $ubli(he& no!el( for a fe, month( ,ith no title on the front but +o!ere& the entire +o!er ,ith a $i+ture <Co14 1!iii=. Another $loy to (ell more &ime no!el( ,a( a&&in' the term ne,. In -.644 )ea&le an& A&am(B( (erie( +han'e& to )ea&leB( e, Dime o!el(. From -.642-..54 309 i((ue( ,ere $ubli(he&4 ho,e!er they ,ere all re$rint( of earlier (torie( i((ue& ,ith ne, number( an& han& (ten+ile& +o!er illu(tration( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman -5=. In -.664 )ea&le 5ou(e brou'ht about (e!eral +han'e( in the &ime no!el in&u(try. Fir(t4 the format of the &ime no!el +han'e&. The ne, boo/( ,ere +reate& by fol&in' $a$er in half to +reate a -62$a'e format4 . E ? -2 E in+he(. Thi( ,a( referre& to a( 8uarto (i0e an& ,a( u(e& for librarie( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -6=. Librarie( ,ere a +olle+tion of (erie( boo/(. *a+h i((ue +ontaine& one (tory ,ritten in &ouble or tri$le +olumn form <Co14 1i!=. About 450 &ifferent library (erie( ,ere $ubli(he& from -.66 until the &ime no!el &emi(e in the (e+on& &e+a&e of the -900( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 6-=. Another +han'e )ea&le an& A&am( intro&u+e& in -.66 ,a( the i&ea of the re+urrin' hero. The(e +hara+ter( a$$eare& at more or le(( re'ular inter!al( ,ithin a (erie( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -6=. *!en thou'h the(e +hara+ter( a$$eare& o!er an& o!er4 there ,a( 'enerally little +hara+ter 'ro,th or &e!elo$ment that too/ $la+e <Co14 1!i=. In the late -.60(4 )ea&le an& A&am( an& other $ubli(her( be'an to relea(e &ime no!el( aime& at a youn'er rea&er(hi$. )ea&leB( 5alf2Dime Library <$ubli(he& -.662 -905= ,a( tar'ete& at boy( from a'e( . to -6. Some &ime no!el( ,ere ,ritten ($e+ifi+ally for 'irl( but they ,ere ne!er !ery (u++e((ful. 9ne +oul& u(ually tell the tar'et au&ien+e by the $ri+e of the boo/> fi!e +ent( for teena'er( an& ten +ent( for a&ult( <Co1 11iF Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -6=.

222

Cynthia Allen 9ne rea(on for the +han'e in the format of &ime no!el( ,a( to /ee$ $o(tal rate( &o,n. #o(tal la,( trie& to ma/e a++e(( to Ginformation &eeme& e((ential to the fun+tion( of a &emo+ra+yH affor&able to all Ameri+an(. e,($a$er( fit into thi( ty$e of information (our+e. Thu( if &ime no!el( loo/e& li/e ne,($a$er(4 (ub(+riber( $ai& ne,($a$er $ri+e(4 ,hi+h ,ere +on(i&erably +hea$er than boo/ $ri+e(. )oo/( ,ere (een a( mer+han&i(e an& ha& to be maile& at a hi'her $ri+e. Al(o4 the numberin' an& i((uin' of (erie( hel$e& the &ime no!el( fall un&er the au($i+e( of a $erio&i+al4 therefore /ee$in' the $ri+e &o,n <*ri+/(on=. After rea+hin' their $ea/ (ale( in the la(t half of the -9th +entury4 &ime no!el (ale( be'an to &e+line in the early -900(. The la(t ori'inal &ime no!el ,a( $ubli(he& in -9-5F ho,e!er4 re$rint( ,ere (ol& until -933. 9ne of the bi''e(t rea(on( for the &e+line of the &ime no!el ,a( the a&!ent of motion $i+ture(. For the (ame amount of money4 fi!e or ten +ent(4 a $er(on +oul& (ee li!e a+tion a( o$$o(e& to @u(t rea&in' about it. Al(o4 a&ult( ,ere bein' &ra,n to the ne, $ul$ fi+tion ma'a0ine(4 ,hi+h ,ere a &ire+t off($rin' of the &ime no!el(. Serie( boo/( ,ere be'innin' to be $ubli(he& for +hil&ren an& the(e &re, rea&er( a,ay from the &ime no!el(. %a&io al(o $laye& a $art in the &ime no!elB( &e+line <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 44-34-9=. T5* DI3* 9:*L #D)LIS5*%S The fir(t $ubli(her of the &ime no!el(4 or yello,2ba+/( a( they ,ere +alle& early on be+au(e of the +olor of the +o!er <,hi+h *ra(tu( )ea&le !o,e& ,a( a+tually a (almon +olor <#ear(on4 9.==4 ,a( the $ubli(hin' hou(e of )ea&le an& A&am(. Thi( +om$any ,a( ori'inally o,ne& by *ra(tu( )ea&le4 hi( brother4 Ir,in4 an& %obert A&am(. They ha& $ubli(he& (e!eral item( before the a&!ent of the &ime no!el4 but it ,a( by far their mo(t (u++e((ful !enture <Co14 -9=. In an -..4 inter!ie, ,ith a re$orter for the )o(ton *!enin' Tran(+ri$t4 *ra(tu( )ea&le e1$laine& ho, the +on+e$t for the &ime no!el +ame about.
G*!ery one ,a( $ubli(hin' boo/( ,ith thi+/ $a$er an& ,i&e mar'in(2 tryin' to (ee ho, little they +oul& 'i!e their rea&er( for a &ollar or a &ollar an& a halfI "ell4 I too/ the other ta+/4 an& thou'ht I ,oul& (ee ho, mu+h I +oul& 'i!e for ten +ent(F +a(h (ale(4 no +re&it. *!ery one (ai& the $ro@e+t ,oul& fail4 but it &i&nBt.H <#ear(on4 9.=

In -.644 the orth Ameri+an %e!ie, (tate& that o!er fi!e million )ea&le an& A&am( &ime no!el( ,ere in +ir+ulation. The +om$any ,a( (u++e((ful until the late -.90( <*ri+/(on=. Another one of the fi!e ma@or &ime no!el $ubli(her( ,a( Street an& Smith. The +om$any4 foun&e& by Fran+i( S+ott Street an& Fran+i( Shubael Smith4 be'an o$eration in -.55 an& $ubli(he& it( fir(t &ime no!el in -..9. Street an& Smith ,ere able to (ur!i!e the &eath of the &ime no!el in&u(try an& +ontinue to be (u++e((ful $ubli(her( be+au(e of the &i!er(ifi+ation of their ,or/. They e!entually $ur+ha(e& many of the other $ubli(her(B re$rint ri'ht( an& ,ent on to $ubli(h the (ame ty$e material in $ul$ ma'a0ine( an& other format( that follo,e& after the &ime no!el <Co14 253=. 9ne format they $ubli(he& ,a( Gthi+/ boo/(H. The(e ,ere &ime no!el $a$erba+/( that u(e& (ome of the (ame (torie( that ,ere in the ori'inal &ime no!el form. Throu'h thi( format (ome of the (torie( ,ere (till in $ubli+ation until the -930( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -9=.

232

Cynthia Allen Ceor'e #. 3unro ha& ,or/e& for )ea&le an& A&am( but left in -.63 to form a $artner(hi$ ,ith Ir!in )ea&le. Thi( $artner(hi$ 'a!e )ea&le an& A&am( (ome tou'h +om$etition in the early year( of $ubli(hin' &ime no!el(. Their fir(t &ime no!el a$$eare& in -.63. 3unro $ubli(he& one of the fir(t &ime no!el &ete+ti!e (torie( an& the fir(t &ime no!el &ete+ti!e (erie( ,ith a re+urrin' hero <Co14 1!iii4 -6.2-69=. orman L. 3unro ,a( Ceor'e 3unroB( brother an& ,or/e& ,ith hi( +om$any until the early -.60(. 3unro often too/ the other ma@or $ubli(her( to +ourt4 e($e+ially hi( brother4 o!er $ro$rietary ri'ht(. 5e ,a( the fir(t to &e&i+ate a $erio&i+al to &ete+ti!e fi+tion4 9l& Ca$. Collier Library <-..3= <Co14 -.0=. Fran/ Tou(ey i( the final of the bi' fi!e &ime no!el $ubli(her(. Tou(ey $ubli(he& &ramati+4 (en(ationali0e& fi+tion4 mu+h of it tar'ete& at youn' rea&er(. 5e be'an hi( +areer a( a $artner of orman 3unro4 but after three year( forme& hi( o,n +om$any. Tou(ey often ha& +urrent e!ent( in+or$orate& into hi( (torie( <Co14 265=. There i( no ,ay to &etermine ho, many $ubli(her( of &ime no!el( there a+tually ,ere. The(e fi!e ,ere the mo(t (u++e((ful an& (ur!i!e& the lon'e(t in the bu(ine(( <Co14 1!iii=. Some of the 'oin'( on behin& the (+ene( in the $ubli(hin' hou(e( ,ere a( &ramati+ an& (en(ational a( the &ime no!el( them(el!e(. T5* DI3* 9:*L 5*%9*S The heroe( of &ime no!el( +ame from many ,al/( of life. Some ,ere or&inary $eo$le ,ho too/ on e1traor&inary 8ualitie( an& en&ea!or(. 9ther( ,ere lar'er than life heroe( ,ho ma&e it their @ob to ri'ht ,ron'(4 (a!e &am(el(4 (ol!e my(terie(4 an& un&erta/e a myria& of other ta(/(. Some of the main +hara+ter( returne& (tory after (tory ,hile other( only a$$eare& on+e or t,i+e an& then fa&e& into the hi(tory of &ime no!el(. #ubli(her( ,oul& (ometime( u(e famou( $eo$le an& +hara+ter( an& min'le fa+t an& fi+tion into the $lot. 9ften name( of +hara+ter( ,ere not famou( $eo$le but ,ere +lo(ely tie& to famou( $eo$le (o a +onne+tion ,oul& be ma&e <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -64=. "hat follo,( i( a brief &i(+u((ion of t,o of the mo(t famou( &ime no!el heroe(. They ,ere $ubli(he& by the t,o mo(t (u++e((ful &ime no!el $ubli(her( an& the heroe(B (torie( an& hi(torie( $arallel the (u++e(( an& hi(tory of the $ubli(her(. 9ne of )ea&le an& A&am(B( bi''e(t (eller( ,a( Dea&,oo& Di+/. Thirty2four no!el( ,ere ,ritten about the +hara+ter from -.662-..2. *&,ar& < e&= 5arri(4 a/a Dea&,oo& Di+/4 ,a( a farm boy ,ho ,a( &ri!en from hi( home in the *a(t ,ith hi( family. A( e!ent( $laye& out Dea&,oo& Di+/ turne& to the life of a "e(tern outla,. 5o,e!er4 a( the (erie( e!ol!e& he be+ame a &ete+ti!e of (ort(. The (erie( ,a( ,ritten by *&,ar& "heeler an& fir(t $ubli(he& in )ea&leB( 5alf2Dime Library <-.662-..5=. The boo/( in the library +on(i(te& of 32 $a'e( 6 ? . in+he(. The fir(t 24 (torie( in the (erie( ,ere $ubli(he& 3 &ifferent time(. Arthur "e(tbroo/4 ,ho re$ubli(he& many $ubli(her(B ,or/(4 $ubli(he& thi( (erie( for the final time in -9-2 a( the Dea&,oo& Di+/ Library <Co1 244634654266=. *a+h (tory in the (erie( ,a( ,ritten totally in+lu(i!e (o the (erie( +oul& be rea& in ran&om or&er. 5o,e!er4 there ,ere (ome re+urrin' +hara+ter(. Calamity Aane an& 9l& A!alan+he ,ere Dea&,oo& Di+/B( $artner( in many of the (torie(. There ,a( a follo,2 u$ (erie(4 Dea&,oo& Di+/4 Ar4 fir(t $ubli(he& in -..6. The main +hara+ter i( a boy ,ho ha$$en( u$on Dea&,oo& Di+/B( 'ra!e an& !o,( !en'ean+e for hi( lon' time hero. )y thi( time &ete+ti!e( ha!e be+ome !ery $o$ular amon' &ime no!el rea&er( (o Dea&,oo&

242

Cynthia Allen Di+/4 Ar be'in( a( an outla, but a((ume( the role of a &ete+ti!e in the (e+on& (tory. 9!er a $erio& of ten year( )ea&le an& A&am( $ubli(he& 96 (torie( in the (erie( to ma/e it their lon'e(t runnin' (erie( about one +hara+ter. De($ite itB( lon' run4 Dea&,oo& Di+/4 Ar. ,a( ne!er a( $o$ular a( the ori'inal (erie( <Co1464265=. A( &ime no!el( be'an to a$$eal to youn'er au&ien+e(4 in the -..0( an& -.90(4 an& the $o$ulation of the Dnite& State( be+ame more urban4 &ete+ti!e(4 boy in!entor(4 an& (tar athlete( be+ame $o$ular theme( of &ime no!el( <In'all(=. 9ne of the be(t2/no,n &ete+ti!e( ,a( i+/ Carter <Co14 5025-=. Althou'h the +hara+ter fir(t a$$eare& in -..64 the (erie( &i& not be'in until -.9- a( the i+/ Carter Library4 $ubli(he& by Street an& Smith <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -6=. In the (torie( i+/ Carter ,ent about (ol!in' my(terie( ,hile bein' in!ol!e& in a+tion $a+/4 fa(t $a+e& (+ene(. The (olution to the my(tery ,a( often e1$laine& in the (tory <Co14 5-=. Aohn %. Coryell +reate& the ori'inal +hara+ter4 but about thirty &ifferent ,riter( ,or/e& on the (erie(. An a++urate +ount of (torie( i( im$o((ible be+au(e of the enormou( number of re$rint(4 but there ,ere +lo(e to 600 ori'inal (torie( in the (erie(. 3o(t of the (torie( ,ere ,ritten in three (tory (e'ment( (o they +oul& ea(ily be a&a$te& into boo/ form at a later &ate. The (erie( la(te& 25 year(4 until -9-54 an& ,a( +arrie& on into a $ul$ ma'a0ine4 Dete+ti!e Story 3a'a0ine4 until -926. 3any of the (torie( &i& a$$ear in boo/ form in the -940(. Thi( ,a( &one to +a$itali0e on the $o$ularity of the ra&io &rama i+/ Carter> 3a(ter Dete+ti!e4 ,hi+h ran from -9432-955. i+/ Carter al(o a$$eare& in +omi+ boo/(4 a (hort2li!e& ne,($a$er (tri$4 an& (e!eral non2tal/in' an& tal/in' motion $i+ture(. In -9624 %obert Conra& (tarre& in an un(ol& T: $ilot about the &ete+ti!e an& from -9642-990 a (erie( of 26- $a$erba+/ no!el(4 i+/ Carter> Jill 3a(ter4 ,ere $ubli(he& <Co1 50252=. Carter i( &e(+ribe& a( bein' an GAmeri+an Sherlo+/ 5olme(H in -..6 an& by the mi&220th Century &e!elo$in' into a Aame( )on& ty$e (e+ret a'ent <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 .=. DI3* 9:*L C%ITICIS3 There ,ere (e!eral rea(on( +riti+( foun& for &i(li/in' the &ime no!el(F (en(ational4 formulai+ $lot(F +hea$4 +ru&e formatF an& the +on+e$t of +ommo&ifi+ation4 G(eein' boo/( a( e+onomi+ +ommo&itie( rather than intelle+tual or ae(theti+ artifa+t(H. The enormou( amount of &ime no!el( that ,ere $ro&u+e& an& +on(ume& by the $ubli+ le& to inten(e in!e(ti'ation into thi( me&ium <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 1ii=. The ra$i&ne(( ,ith ,hi+h (torie( ,ere $ro&u+e& le& to (e!eral $oint( of +riti+i(m. 3any of the (torie( +ontaine& 'rammar mi(ta/e(4 narrati!e fla,(4 an& un&er&e!elo$e& +hara+ter(. Al(o4 the $lot( often follo,e& the (ame $attern or formula be+au(e a ne, (tory ha& to be ,ritten e!ery ,ee/4 monthI Thi( inten(e time line of $ro&u+tion ten&e& to em$ha(i0e 8uantity o!er 8uality. Thi( le& +riti+( to (tate that rea&in' the &ime no!el( too/ little effort or thou'ht an& therefore the rea&er ,a( not betterin' him(elf by rea&in' it. In an -.6. arti+le4 G"hat 9ur )oy( Are %ea&in'H4 "illiam Craham Sumner ,rote4 Gthe literary material i( either inten(ely (tu$i& or ($i+e& to the hi'he(t &e'ree ,ith (en(ationH <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 1i21iii=. Durin' the -.60(4 &ime no!el( be'an to be (een a( immoral an& &an'erou( to the min&( of rea&er( <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 34*ri+/(on=. Durin' thi( time4 a( +om$etition 're,4 the (tory line( ,ere bein' ,ritten more 8ui+/ly an& be+omin' more (en(ationali0e&. Com$etition al(o le& to more ri(8uK +o!er illu(tration( that le& $eo$le to

252

Cynthia Allen belie!e the +ontent ,a( more ri(8uK a( ,ell. 3any a&ult( (eeme& to thin/ the +hea$er material ,a( more luri& an& unfit for youn' rea&er(. A( time ,ent on a&ult( be+ame $re@u&i+e& a'ain(t all &ime no!el( be+au(e of their in+lu(ion in the +ate'ory more (o than their +ontent <#ear(on4 92 L 99=. *ra(tu( )ea&le al,ay( +laime& that hi( &ime no!el( ,ere 'oo& an& the author( ,ere ,ell ,ritten. 5e +laime& the +om$etition +hea$ene& the 8uality of the (torie(. )ea&le an& A&am( &i& $rofe(( to ha!in' to G/ill a fe, more In&ian(H a( time ,ent on to /ee$ u$ ,ith the +om$etition4 but there (torie( ,ere (till 'oo&4 a++or&in' to them <#ear(on4 99=. The -.60( brou'ht about +han'e( that ma&e the &ime no!el( fall un&er more +riti+i(m. Fir(t the (i0e ,a( +han'e& to ma/e the &ime no!el( (maller4 -6 $a'e(2 . E ? -2 E in+he(2 fol&e& in half <Sulli!an an& S+hurman4 -52-6=. The +han'e in format (eeme& to +hea$en the ima'e of the rea&in' material in +riti+B( eye(. Thi( ha$$ene& &e($ite the fa+t that many of the (torie( $ubli(he& after -.64 are e1a+t re$rint( of earlier (torie(. 9ne $oint many +riti+( brou'ht out ,a( that the (maller (i0e ma&e the &ime no!el( ea(ier to +on+eal. ;oun'(ter( +oul& ea(ily $ut the $am$hlet in(i&e another boo/ to hi&e it from tea+her(4 $arent(4 or other a&ult(. Al(o4 +han'e( in $o(tal rate( ma&e it more a&!anta'eou( for $ubli(her( to (ell the &ime no!el( at ne,((tan&( or (ho$( rather than throu'h home &eli!ery ma/in' them more a++e((ible to youn'er rea&er( an& lo,er in+ome rea&er(. 3any youn' rea&er( foun& it ea(ier to +on+eal their rea&in' material from their $arent( ,hen it ,a( $ur+ha(e& at the ne,((tan& !er(e( re+ei!in' it throu'h the mail <*ri+/(on=. Al(o4 there ,a( the i((ue of the ty$e( of bu(ine(( that (ol& &ime no!el(. 3any of them ,ere $la+e( that (ol& toba++o an& +riti+( $ointe& out ho, in!itin' that mi'ht (eem to youn' $eo$le. Al(o4 many of the(e ty$e (tore( ha& Gba+/room(H ,here (ha&y +hara+ter( (eeme& to +on're'ate4 often $layin' $ool an& &rin/in' <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 ..=. The(e ,ere +ertainly not the ty$e( of $la+e the youn' $eo$le of Ameri+a nee&e& to be 'oin'. 3any +riti+( belie!e& the &ime no!el( ,ere immoral be+au(e they $ainte& a $i+ture of +riminal( a( heroe(. Some felt the youth ,oul& be'in to a+t out in real life ,hat ,a( $ortraye& in the &ime no!el(. Thu( rea&in' thi( ty$e of material ,oul& lea& to a life of +rime <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 .62..=. 9ne of the mo(t out($o/en +riti+( of &ime no!el( ,a( Anthony Com(to+/ <-.442 -9-5=. Com(to+/ ,a( !ery 0ealou( in +ombatin' ,hat he +on(i&ere& to be !i+e( of the &ayF amon' the(e ,ere &ime no!el(. 5e ,a( a member of the e, ;or/ So+iety for the Su$$re((ion of :i+e4 one of the mo(t ar&ent +riti+( of &ime no!el(. They belie!e& the (torie( $re(ente& +riminal life a( fun4 'lorifie& the +riminal(4 an& in(tru+te& youth in +riminal a+ti!ity. In (e!eral annual re$ort( a( (e+retary of the So+iety4 Com(to+/ +ommente& that he ha& inter!ie,e& youn' &elin8uent( ,ho (ai& &ime no!el( ha& let them a(tray <"e(t4 -999=. In -..04 the So+iety relea(e& thi( (tatement +on+ernin' ma(( $ro&u+e& literature4 GThe fearful in+rea(e of youthful +riminal( in our +itie( in re+ent year( (houl& be tra+e& !ery lar'ely to thi( (our+eH <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 .9=. In -..34 Com(to+/ ,rote a boo/4 Tra$( for the ;oun'. In it he $re(ente& hi( +a(e a'ain(t &ime no!el( to the $ubli+. The $ur$o(e ,a( to Ge1$o(e the min&( of $arent( tea+her(4 'uar&ian(4 an& $a(tor( to (ome of the mi'hty for+e( for e!il that are to&ay e1ertin' a +ontrollin' influen+e o!er the youn'H <"e(t4 -999=. In the boo/ he $re(ente&

262

Cynthia Allen +a(e after +a(e of youn' $eo$le ,ho ,ere Gruine&H by rea&in' ma((2$ro&u+e& literature. 5e e($ou(e& the i&ea that the ,or/ ethi+ ,a( bein' un&ermine& in youth ,ho rea& &ime no!el( be+au(e the +riminal life ,a( 'lorifie& ,ith the +riminal( often +omin' u$ the ,inner <"e(t4 -999=. Com(to+/ belie!e& the 'reate(t +hallen'e fa+in' a&ult( ,a( to 'uar& the inno+en+e of +hil&ren ,ho ,ere not (tron' enou'h to &ete+t the $loy( of the &e!il. 5i( i&ea ,a( that youth rea&in' the(e (torie( ,oul& more ea(ily (u++umb to other !i+e( an& tra$( lai& by the &e!il <"e(t4 -999=. In Aune -..44 the e, ;or/ State le'i(lature outla,e& the (ale of (tory $a$er4 ,hi+h +ontaine& &ime no!el (torie(4 an& other $ubli+ation( that +ontaine& +rime (torie( to minor(. Thi( la, ,a( $a((e& after mu+h ,or/ by the So+iety for the Su$$re((ion of :i+e. In the year( that follo,e& (e!eral other (tate( $a((e& the (ame ty$e la,( <S+hurman an& Aohn(on4 .9=. Chil&renB( librarian( ,ere al(o o$$o(e& to +hil&ren rea&in' &ime no!el(. They hel& belief( (imilar to Com(to+/ +on+ernin' ,hat they !ie,e& a( immorality in &ime no!el(. The librarian( al(o feare& the &ime no!el( ,oul& ruin the rea&in' ta(te of the youn' $eo$le. In(tea& of fi'htin' (o har& a'ain(t &ime no!el( they (ou'ht to $ro!i&e youn' $eo$le ,ith other ty$e( of rea&in' material. 3any +hil&renB( librarian( $ubli(he& arti+le( in the late -.00( (tatin' that their @ob ,a( to 'ui&e the +hil&ren to rea& re($e+te& form( of literature. They felt the +hil&ren +oul& be enti+e& into rea&in' material (imilar to the &ime no!el( but le(( !iolent an& !ul'ar. Se!eral librarian( ,rote arti+le( (tatin' that if +hil&ren ,ere 'i!en true (torie( of a&!enture an& heroi(m to rea& they ,oul& turn from the &ime no!el( <"e(t4 -9.54 -362-3.=. 3iner!a L. Saun&er(4 &ire+tor of the #a,tu+/et %ho&e I(lan& #ubli+ Library4 re$orte& that youn' $eo$le ,oul& +ome to the library an& hi&e the (mall &ime no!el( in the $a'e( of a Gre($e+tableH ,or/ (o to 'o unmole(te& in their rea&in'. She ,a( re$orte& to le+ture the +hil&ren on the G&an'er( of rea&in' the (tuffHF ho,e!er4 thi( (eeme& to ha!e little effe+t. She e!en +olle+te& ne,($a$er +li$$in'( of youth ,ho ha& been ne'ati!ely influen+e by rea&in' &ime no!el( an& ma&e the +hil&ren (he +au'ht rea&in' them rea& a (+ra$e boo/ +ontainin' the +li$$in'( <"e(t4 -9.54 -3.=. SD33A%; The hi(tory of the &ime no!el ha( intere(tin' t,i(t( an& turn( @u(t li/e the (torie( +ontaine& in the no!el(. Althou'h they ,ere $robably not the be(t literary offerin'( of the time(4 &ime no!el( fille& a !oi& in Ameri+an literature in the late -.00(. The ,or/in' +la(( an& youn' $eo$le nee&e& boo/( they +oul& affor& an& boo/( that ,ere intere(tin' to them. The +rie( ma&e by the +riti+( (eem (ome,hat (en(ationali0e& @u(t li/e the &ime no!el( they ,ere (o !ehemently o$$o(e& to. It (eem( that &ime no!el( ,ere an ea(y (+a$e'oat for the e!il( of the &ay. "hether they ,ere en@oyable or Ge!ilH an entire 'eneration of boy( 'rou$ u$ rea&in' them4 &e!ourin' them4 e1+han'in' them4 an& runnin' to 'et the ne1t one. Dntil re+ent year( &ime no!el( ha!e been o!erloo/e& for their literary +ontribution(. *!en if you &o not a'ree ,ith the +ontent you ha!e to a'ree that they +an no lon'er be i'nore&. Dime no!el( are a $art of our literary hi(tory4 an& thou'h they are not the mo(t hi'h 8uality offerin'( they &i& earn the ri'ht to be re$re(ente& in that hi(tory.

262

Cynthia Allen "9%JS CIT*D> Co14 A. %an&ol$h4 The Dime o!el Com$anion> A Sour+e )oo/. "e(t$ort4 Conne+ti+ut> Creen,oo& #re((4 2000. Cu(hman4 Ly&ia S+hurman an& Dei&re Aohn(on4 e&.4 S+orne& Literature. "e(t$ort4 Conne+ti+ut> Creen,oo& #re((4 2002. *ri+/(on4 #aul A.4 GAu&'in' )oo/( )y Their Co!er(> Format4 the Im$lie& %ea&er4 an& the MDe'enerationB of the Dime o!el.H ATN4 -24 no. 3 <Se$tember -99.=> $. 246. A( foun& in *)SC9 59ST. In'all(4 Ooe4 GIn a 3inne(ota Library4 Da(tar&ly Dee&( e!er Co Dn$uni(he&.H Chroni+le of 5i'her *&u+ation4 464 no. 22 <February 94 200-=> $. A4.. A( foun& in *)SC9 59ST. #ear(on4 *&mun&4 Dime o!el( or4 Follo,in' an 9l& Trail In #o$ular Literature. )o(ton> Little4 )ro,n4 an& Com$any4 -929. Sulli!an4 Larry *. an& Ly&ia Cu(hman S+hurman4 e&.4 Sulli!an an& S+hurman(4 #a((ionate La&ie(4 an& #ri!ate *ye(. e, ;or/> The 5a,orth #re((4 In+.4 -996. "e(t4 3ar/ I.4 G ot to )e Cir+ulate&> The %e($on(e of Chil&renB( Librarian( to Dime o!el( an& Serie( )oo/(.H Chil&renB( Literature A((o+iation Nuarterly4 -04 no.3 <-9.5=> $$-362-39. "e(t4 3ar/ I.4 GThe %ole of Se1ual %e$re((ion in Anthony Com(to+/B( Cam$ai'n to Cen(or Chil&renB( Dime o!el(.H Aournal of Ameri+an Culture4 224 no. 4 <"inter -999=> $. 45. A( foun& in *)SC9 59ST. htt$>PP,,,.loui(!ille.e&uPQr(+amb0-P. Dni!er(ity of Loui(!ille4 2002. %*S9D%C*S> )roo/(4 Connie4 Aim Coleman4 an& *leanore Ste,art4 Dime o!el( an& #enny Drea&ful(. htt$>PP,,,2(ul.(tanfor&.e&uP&e$t(P&$P$ennie(Phome.html4 Stanfor& Dni!er(ity. Carr4 Feli+ia L.4 Ameri+an "omenB( Dime o!el #ro@e+t. htt$>PP+hnm.'mu.e&uP&imeno!el(Pabout.html4 Ceor'e 3a(on Dni!er(ity.

2.2