A horrific multi-car smashup on a four-lane highway forms the narrative center of John D. MacDonald’s 1956 novel, Cry Hard, Cry Fast.

The book begins with a lot of dramatic tension, as we are introduced to several carloads of fragile human beings and informed matter-of-factly that they are about to die. There’s a young businessman mourning his wife, concerned about a thumping in his tire but too preoccupied to stop and get it fixed. A family of four, dominated by an angry father who drives too fast. A young couple trying to save their marriage with a nostalgic vacation. A young woman fleeing a failed affair.  A couple bank robbers in a stolen car, and the girl they picked up, trying to put distance between themselves and the police. An aging truck driver contemplating retirement.

After the accident happens, the survivors (those who are conscious) do their best to start putting their lives together, struggling with guilt, rethinking their plans, or scheming to reclaim lost loot.

Not even John D. MacDonald could knock it out of the park with every book. Cry Hard, Cry Fast isn’t a bad novel, especially considering it was originally meant for the men’s pulp market. It’s certainly more profound than most of its competition. But I felt the treatment here was a little superficial, the characters a little stereotyped, the resolution not as satisfying (especially viewed in the light of changed societal attitudes since this book’s publication) as it might have been.

It was interesting to note (as a native of the era) the changes that have been made in life on the road since 1956 – MacDonald describes “the yellow octagon of the stop sign” and nobody wears seat belts (this book makes a pretty good argument for their use).

Worth reading, but not the top of the crop.

There’s a fair amount of sex in this book, and one troubling scene where a naked 17-year-old girl is described (through her mother’s eyes, but still…)