As far as I know, "Bluebottle" is the fifth of a series of
six novels with Lew Griffin. I could advice you to read at
least the fist one of this series: "The Long Legged Fly",
wherein the central character is anchored in a kind of time
frame of his own life, starting in 1964. The second one: "
Moth"
is equally important for the period used in the
evolution of the life of the character.
"Bluebottle" should be the early 70s I think. However beware,
as all along the series Sallis mixes remembrances and facts
originated in previous periods of Griffin's life, and as you
may have noticed it, the story does not have a linear flow,
far from it. On top of everything Sallis put here and there
clues or fuzzed facts that could be (IMHO) decoded as a
postmodern spiel about narrator, writer and fiction. I
definitely think that the series should be read in
order.
All this said, this is a fascinating series wherein pessimism
and lack of achievement in his close personal life are the
two main characteristics of the Black Lew Griffin who seems
always in search of a meaning to his life. Very good novels,
complex and moving.
E.Borgers Hard-Boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
Marianne Macdonald
> I noticed a copy of BLUEBOTTLE in the local library
on Saturday,
> took it out, started it, said "Wow!" and realized
I've never actually
> read anything of his before. A bit backward,
me.
>
> Can somebody answer two quick questions? More
seriously, when is
> BLUEBOTTLE set? I haven't been in Louisiana myself
since the 60s, so
> it's hard for me to judge, but it doesn't seem
contemporary. I'm sure
> you all know this, but it's niggling me.
>
> Less seriously....what's a "po-boy" sandwich?
Agh!
>
> Marianne Macdonald
>
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