Robert B. Parker's authorship of Spenser

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Robert B. Parker's authorship of Spenser

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1brodiew2
dec 18, 2015, 3:18 pm

Hello all. Spenser has been a favorite character of mine over the years. I was first introduced to him in A Catskill Eagle in the mid 80s and have been a fan ever since. However, I noticed a decline in in Parker's style from the early outings to those which came after Paper Doll. Though the same toughness and clever dialogue remained, his plot became simple and character of Spenser seemed, in general, to lack the depth he once had. There were moments of clarity in the latter days such as Hugger Mugger and Hush Money, but over all, it seems that a simple plot was wrapped around some pretty good dialogue.

Did any of you experience this as well?

What did you like about Parker's writing of this character?

Finally, how do you feel about Ace Atkins' characterization?

2jhicks62
feb 4, 2016, 4:20 pm

I'd have to agree with you about a lot of the later books. Parker seemed to be meandering in the plot without a direction on how some of the books should end. That said -- there were still a few absolute gems among the later books. The one where Spenser got shot and had to rehab was excellent, as one the one where something similar happened to Hawk. I also enjoyed when he brought back characters from previous books, especially the one where they all got together in one house to try to take back a town that had been overtaken by the local bullies.

As for the Ace Atkins books -- no opinion -- I have no plans to read them.

All that being said -- the Spenser books are some of my all-time favorites to read and reread. I'm easily on my 5th or 6th time through the series!

3Stepn
Bewerkt: nov 10, 2018, 6:14 am

I`d also agree, and I came to prefer Dr Parker`s other novels featuring Sunny Randall etc. The Ace Atkins novels are a little odd, like Fred Astaire dances as performed by Gene Kelly, or indeed James Bond as played by Daniel Craig. Of course that`s hardly criticism...

4jhicks62
okt 26, 2018, 3:12 pm

The Spenser books are still #1 for me, but I also very much enjoyed the Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall books. The latter are especially good when picturing Parker's image of the perfect Sunny -- Helen Hunt!

5Stepn
Bewerkt: nov 22, 2018, 10:59 am

I like it that Sunny is so uningratiating, less wisecracking than Spenser, less actressy than La Silverman. I wonder if Sunny, and her Daddy Issues influenced the female lead in Elmore Leonard`s Out Of Sight. I also wonder if Sunny`s Hitchcock Blonde ways (and idiot sister) were encouraged by Patricia Cornwell`s early Kay Scarpetta novels.

6Stepn
nov 17, 2018, 6:41 am

Warren Murphy always struck me as Dr Parker`s "evil twin". Both men had series characters who were highly witty and physically unbeatable, and both characters had ethnic sidekicks. And neither character wore socks! I wonder if they ever met . Parker and Murphy I mean...though a meeting between Hawk and Chiun would be pretty lively too.

7thorold
nov 17, 2018, 9:33 am

So disappointing - when I saw that subject line, I was sucked in, hoping for surprising revelations about literary skulduggery in Elizabethan times. Should have remembered that this is the crime fiction group... :-)

8Crypto-Willobie
nov 17, 2018, 10:32 am

9Stepn
Bewerkt: nov 20, 2018, 4:18 am

I`m not angry with you two (hands on hips, slowly shaking head), I`m just very,very disappointed...