Ron,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. Gash's work really does speak to me.
Maybe as both an archaeologist and noir/mystery fan it speaks to more than one aspect
of my personality.
By the way, just my opinion, but you should give Gash a chance. If it helps, the novels
are a lot darker than the TV series ever was.
Best,
Harry
________________________________________
From: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com [rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Ron Clinton [clinton65@comcast.net]
Sent: March 3, 2009 3:37 PM
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: RARA-AVIS: RE: Faith and cynicism hand-in-hand in noir and hard-bolied fiction
Harry, with the presumption that there is a definable difference between
crime fiction and mystery fiction, my experience with this list is that
classic noir and hardboiled writers (Cain, Brewer, Hammett, Woolrich,
Goodis, Thompson, et al) tend to be the most discussed, followed by
modern-day American writers of crime fiction (Pelecanos, Block, Westlake,
Connelly, et al), followed by modern-day English writers of crime fiction
(Guthrie, Bruen, et al), followed by both American writers of generic
mystery fiction (Grafton, Parker, et al), follwed by English writers of
generic mystery fiction. Others may disagree...that's simply my personal
take on the list over the last decade (?) I've been a member. Frankly, it's
a trend I enjoy and appreciate, and the reason I've stayed a member for so
long.
Since as you indicate, Gash is seen by many as "a rather more generic
mystery" writer, the trend of the list is such that he is likely to get
little play around here, deservedly or not -- as evidenced by your previous
three attempts "to start a discussion about Jonathan Gash's work without any
real success." I, for one, have never read him, and likely never
will...that type of of material just doesn't float my boat. Regardless of
whether others here share your affinity for Gash, however, it's nice that
you've latched onto a writer and character that you enjoy so much and
consistently speaks to you in a special manner. I have several such authors
as well, and it's always a pleasure to enter their world.
Ron C.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Harry Joseph Lerner
> Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 10:38 AM
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: RE: Faith and cynicism hand-in-hand in
> noir and hard-bolied fiction
>
> Hello all,
>
> My numerous typos aside, was my question too confusing, or
> simply not subject-appropriate for this list? I have a great
> deal of respect for everyone on this list, thus I often turn
> to you for insight and information and am very rarely
> disappointed as a result. However, this is the third time,
> by my count, that I have tried to start a discussion about
> Jonathan Gash's work without any real success.
>
> Just curious...
>
> Best,
> Harry
> ________________________________________
> From: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>
> [rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Harry Joseph
> Lerner [harry.joseph.lerner@mail.mcgill.ca<mailto:harry.joseph.lerner%40mail.mcgill.ca>]
> Sent: March 1, 2009 11:19 AM
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com<mailto:rara-avis-l%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: Faith and cynicism hand-in-hand in noir
> and hard-bolied fiction
>
> Hello fellow rara-avians,
>
> In an effort to start a more on-topic discussion, I ask the
> following question: What are some examples of noir or
> hard-boiled characters, either in stand-alone novels or
> series characters, that have an enduring faith in something
> other than their own personal code of conduct that rather
> than subvert the usual norish or hard-boiled character traits
> actually serves to re-inforce them. When I say faith, it is
> something that need not be restricted to religious belief. It
> can be entirely secular in nature. The case in point that got
> me going along this particular train of thought is that of
> Gash's Lovejoy series. I know I have brought up Lovejoy on
> this list a few times before without inspiring much dialogue,
> but I thought it worth another try. Lovejoy, while some of
> you probably consider him a rather more generic mystery
> series protagonist, embodies many of the generally agreed
> upon attributes that collectively describe what we call a
> noir or hard-bolied character. In Love joy's case, the world
> of antiques is his faith, and his absolute devotion to this
> world is what sets everyone and everything else apart in a
> perpetual cloud of jaded cynicism. I'm curious which other
> authors have tried their hand at this or similar variations
> on the standard noir or hard-boiled formula. For more details
> on my take on Lovejoy as a kind of re-evaluation of noir
> check out Allan Guthrie's NOIR ORIGINALS for an article I
> wrote not too long ago.
>
> Thanks in advance for your responses to my question.
>
> Best,
> Harry
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> RARA-AVIS home page: http://www.miskatonic.org/rara-avis/
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>
>
>
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