Tomboy [Hal Ellson]

[NYC] [Delinquents] [Cautionary]

Tomboy 

Hal Ellson

Bantam, NY. 1965. 5th printing paperback. Some creasing and yellowing appropriate to a paperback of this age, very good.

From Kirkus:

"This is not pleasant reading but is undeniably compelling in its sensitive understatement of youthful tragedy. Tomboy, fifteen year old leader of the ""debs"" in a vicious juvenile gang, the Harps, can take care of herself-from mugging a drunk to being more than a match for half the boys in the gang. Acutely sensible beneath the tough outer shell she has developed as a result and defense against a sordid home environment, Tomboy is unaware of the deep psychological wounds that are responsible for her hatred of her own sex, her attempts at personal masculinity and fear of sexual intimacy as practised by the rest of the gang."

This book caused a stir after it's initial publication in 1950, since then, it has achieved cult status with it's Americana gone dark take on juvenile delinquency. Nowadays, fairly tame, but back then? You have no idea. A fascinating look into NYC in this era too. Increasingly rare in this sought after paperback edition.