Of course taste in writing varies so I will concentrate on
what I felt was innovative about the book. In the first place
is its scope. It is a tale of three boys and what happens to
them later in life. This is set against the changing
background of the gentrification of two Boston neighborhoods.
The book is told in the three voices of the main characters
while classic noir generally stuck to a single voice. The
characters are developed at considerable depth, perhaps more
than some who are used to faster paced thinner books would
prefer. Yet, again, this is innovative, not when compared to
other contemporary writing but when contrasted to classic
noir. Thus, while telling a personal story, it also is a
commentary on our times. It is a novel in the fullest meaning
of that word.
For an example of another tragic novel, this one from
Britain, take a look at "A Place of Execution" by Val
McDermid. It is by far her best book and in its own way also
a contemporary classic. Again she captures a time period and
a special place, really a kind of time warp place.
My point is not that these are the only "great" noir novels
of our time. I bring them up to illustrate a kind of writing
and scope now taking place in the noir field that
distinguishes it from classic noir. Nor is my point
necessarily that these writers are better than the noir
pioneers. But they are more than copycats.
Tim
On Mar 13, 2007, at 11:17 AM, Jacques Debierue wrote:
> --- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, Tim Wohlforth
> <timwohlforth@...> wrote:
> > Character/description: Lehane's Mystic River,
arguably the finest
> > contemporary crime novel.
> >
>
> Mmmm, I had trouble finishing that one. I didn't
find anything
> original in it. The sense of deja
> vu was overpowering. I don't understand the praise
for this book.
>
> Best,
>
> MrT
>
>
>
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