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Cabinet 8: Romance: Medical

R. W. Hunter, The Doctor’s Affair. 1st ed. London ; Sydney: Horwitz, 1960. Pulp Literature Special Collections PR9611.H864 D62

J. E. Macdonnell, Sea Surgeon. 1st ed. Sydney ; London: Horwitz, 1962. Pulp Literature Special Collections PR6063.A1692 S42

James Edmond Macdonnell (1918-2002) was one of Australia’s most famous nautical pulp fiction writers, completing over 280 books, mostly under his own name. In some cases he used pseudonyms like James Dark. He joined the navy at 17 and moved from ordinary seaman to officer in the gunnery branch. His knowledge of life on board helped him portray realistic settings as well as believable characters. He later joined the Sydney Bulletin. In 1958 he wrote 12 novels; in 1968, a peak year, he completed 16. The Horwitz Sea Surgeon (1962) combines the nautical with medical romance.

Richard Hunter’s The Doctor’s Affair (1960) deals with relationships between Dr Evan Gerard and nurse Ailsa, a ‘coloured girl’, and mischief-maker Thelma, the red-head radiographer. This rattling-good romance cost Australian readers only 3s 9d.

R. W. Hunter, The Doctor’s Affair. 1st ed. London ; Sydney: Horwitz, 1960. Pulp Literature Special Collections PR9611.H864 D62

J. E. Macdonnell, Sea Surgeon. 1st ed. Sydney ; London: Horwitz, 1962. Pulp Literature Special Collections PR6063.A1692 S42