Ron Clinton wrote:
>
> I thought this book was a bit overrated, for the
most part. While the
> characters were indeed quite intriguing and the
ending had a terrific
> macabre touch, I felt the book meandered quite a bit
into directionless and
> meaningless travelings by its main character and
lacked a true narrative
> plot thrust. While even some of the finest noir
works display this type of
> character-intense plotting (Goodis comes to mind),
they usually have a
> substantial plotting framework as well; THE ICE
HARVEST lacked this
> framework, I felt.
Ron, I think that's what I liked most about the book. When
the "plot" came into play I was (slightly) less interested
than when Charlie was wandering about. I thought the
structure (or lack of it, depending on your POV) was very
brave.
>
> Having said that, I (believe it or not) did enjoy
the book and look forward
> to his new novel that is I believe due out sometime
this year (according to
> the blurb on the chapter tease in the tpb version of
THE ICE HARVEST).
>
THE WALKAWAY is also very good. It's longer and far more
complex than ICE HARVEST and has at least TWO narrative
drives. Dennis McMillan is publishing the Limited Edition of
this one next month (I think), but the trade edition won't be
out until August. Scott Phillips has also written a short
story entitled SOCKDOLLAGER for McMillan's anthology that
will be published towards the end of the year including
stories from all (or most) of the authors he has published
over the years. SOCKDOLLAGER is a real hoot. It will make the
book worth the price all by itself.
TL
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