Getting Carter
Ted Lewis and the Birth of Brit Noir
Published on 25. October 2017
320 pages
978-1-84344-883-9 (ISBN)
Description
The story of Ted Lewis carries historical and cultural resonances for our own troubled times
Ted Lewis is one of the most important writers you've never heard of. Born in Manchester in 1940, he grew up in the tough environs of post-war Humberside, attending Hull College of Arts and Crafts before heading for London. His life described a cycle of obscurity to glamour and back to obscurity, followed by death at only 42. He sampled the bright temptations of sixties London while working in advertising, TV and films and he encountered excitement and danger in Soho drinking dens, rubbing shoulders with the 'East End boys' in gangland haunts. He wrote for Z Cars and had some nine books published. Alas, unable to repeat the commercial success of Get Carter, Lewis's life fell apart, his marriage ended and he returned to Humberside and an all too early demise.
Getting Carter is a meticulously researched and riveting account of the career of a doomed genius. Long-time admirer Nick Triplow has fashioned a thorough, sympathetic and unsparing narrative. Required reading for noirists, this book will enthral and move anyone who finds irresistible the old cocktail of rags to riches to rags.
Ted Lewis is one of the most important writers you've never heard of. Born in Manchester in 1940, he grew up in the tough environs of post-war Humberside, attending Hull College of Arts and Crafts before heading for London. His life described a cycle of obscurity to glamour and back to obscurity, followed by death at only 42. He sampled the bright temptations of sixties London while working in advertising, TV and films and he encountered excitement and danger in Soho drinking dens, rubbing shoulders with the 'East End boys' in gangland haunts. He wrote for Z Cars and had some nine books published. Alas, unable to repeat the commercial success of Get Carter, Lewis's life fell apart, his marriage ended and he returned to Humberside and an all too early demise.
Getting Carter is a meticulously researched and riveting account of the career of a doomed genius. Long-time admirer Nick Triplow has fashioned a thorough, sympathetic and unsparing narrative. Required reading for noirists, this book will enthral and move anyone who finds irresistible the old cocktail of rags to riches to rags.
Reviews / Votes
Yes, I can recommend reading this book, although it is a trifle depressing thinking what might have been for Ted Lewis -- Mark Timlin Getting Carter includes plenty of wonderful detail about the making of the film... there is much more to Lewis than this cult movie, as Triplow makes clear -- David Collard * Times Literary Supplement * [Triplow] is the kind of rigorous biographer Lewis deserves, and Getting Carter is an essential read -- Ray Banks * Noir City * Triplow does a fine job of demonstrating why Lewis's work should be rediscovered -- Jake Kerridge * Daily Telegraph * Triplow is unsentimental in his study of a man whose work offers much to admire. Perhaps this fascinating portrait is the beginning of an overdue revival -- Ben Myers * New Statesman *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bedford Square Publishers
File size
8,12 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-84344-883-9 (9781843448839)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2021
No Exit Press
€44.75
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Book
10/2017
No Exit Press
€41.03
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Nick Triplow is the author of the south London crime novel Frank's Wild Years and the social history books The Women They Left Behind, Distant Water and Pattie Slappers. His acclaimed short story, Face Value, was a winner in the 2015 Northern Crime competition. Originally from London, now living in Barton upon Humber, Nick studied English and Creative Writing at Middlesex University and, in 2007, earned a distinction at Sheffield Hallam University's MA in Creative Writing. Since completing his biography of British noir pioneer, Ted Lewis, Nick has been working on new fiction.
Content
- Intro
- GETTING CARTER
- About the author
- 1
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- 10
- Illustrations
- Copyright
