Dealing: or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues

Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues is a novel written by Michael Crichton, his ninth published novel, and wrote with his brother Douglas Crichton, featuring the only time the pseudonym Michael Douglas was featured. It was originally published in 1970. It was serialized in the December 1970, January 1971 and February 1971 issues of Playboy magazine.

Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues
First edition cover
AuthorMichael Douglas
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAlfred A. Knopf
Publication date
1970
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages222
ISBN0-394-42168-X
LC ClassPS3554.O83
Preceded byDrug of Choice 
Followed byGrave Descend 

Plot summary

In order to hook up with his new California girlfriend, a Harvard graduate involves her in an ill-fated plan to smuggle a suitcase full of marijuana bricks from Berkeley to Boston.

Background

Crichton wrote the book with his brother, then 19 years old. He said he wrote it "completely from beginning to end". Then his brother rewrote it from beginning to end, and then Crichton rewrote it again.[1]

Crichton said the novel was "interesting to me because it attacks what is to most people a puzzling area. What really happens to nice, middle-class, well-educated, suburban, bright kids who get into drugs? Why do they get into the position of having these experiences? The book is not sociology; it’s fiction, but it pokes at some of these things."[2]

Reception

The critic from the Los Angeles Times called it an "unremarkable tale" with a "paucity of plot" but thought the ending was "exciting".[3]

Film adaptation
Main article: Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues (film)

A film version of the book was released in 1972. It was an American independent film directed by Paul Williams. It stars Robert F. Lyons and features John Lithgow in his film debut in the supporting role of John, the campus drug dealer. Barbara Hershey appears in the role of Susan, the novice drug-courier who loses the bag of bricks on a cross-country flight from Berkeley to Boston.

References
  1. Michael Crichton (rhymes with frighten): Michael Crichton By ISRAEL SHENKER. New York Times 8 June 1969: BR5
  2. "Dealing". Michael Crichton.
  3. Smell of Weed Permeates Plot of 'Dealing' Nolan, Tom. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 24 Jan 1971: w44.


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