Well, first of all let me say that I got pretty tired of detective stories some time ago, so that kind of knocks a lot of Leonard out for me ( I like his old westerns better). That's not a slam on folks who love detective stories, by the way, I just have read enough of them. I think I liked them less after I started practicing law and got to know more cops and P.I.s. I like Thompson more every time I pick one up, though.
I love the amoral creep in High Priest precisely because he may be so un-selfaware. And are you really sure that he doesn't know what a creep he is? I think he maybe does, but I'm not sure - and I love that level of ambiguity and irony. Besides, no one trumps Thompson when it comes to "paens to sociopaths". How can you slag Willeford and praise Nothing More Than Murder or Pop. 1280? For me, Willford is like Thompson on steroids though I will allow that Thompson is actually the better writer - usually.
I think I know where you're coming from, though. As a rule, I take the side against amoral stories. But Willeford, for me, demonstrates the great skill that pulls a story like that through.
James
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick King
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2009 12:19
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
HIGH PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA trumps Thompson and Leonard? In what way? Thompson & Leonard draw characters who may be low lifes or deeply damaged people, but they're struggling with their demons. Russell Haxby is simply a cretin. We can see he's struggling with demons, but he obviously can't. In THE WOMAN CHASER & WILD WIVES the Haxby doppelgangers at least get what they deserve in the end. But Haxby goes right along in his evil way damaging others while he's feeling smug about his job and his clothes and his cars. The book is a pean to a sociopath. Why did you like it so much?
Patrick King
--- On Sun, 10/18/09, James Michael Rogers <jeddak5@cox.net> wrote:
From: James Michael Rogers <jeddak5@cox.net>
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 6:27 AM
Wow, you didn't like High Priest Of California? One of the best books of the genre, I thought. Almost trumps Jim Thompson. Elmore Leonard, on the other hand, leaves me pretty cold.
James
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick King
To: rara-avis-l@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 22:56
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
Yeah, I think I would rather read Harry Whittington or Charles Williams, neither of whom wrote a bad book,
************ ********* *********
If you feel this way, Don't for God's sake, read Whittington' s YOU'LL DIE NEXT. One of the worst books I read last year. It's so absurd, in the midst of the mayhem, it's actually funny. Unfortunately it was my first venture into his work, so have not been inclined to read anything else by him. The first book I read by Charles Willeford, on the other hand, was MIAMI BLUES, which I loved, reminded me of Elmore Leonard at his best. So I read THE WOMAN CHASER, THE HIGH PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA, WILD WIVES, & HONEY GAL, looking for the same high. Didn't find it. I thought the other books were awful.
I, too, prefer to read writers I can rely on for at least a good read.
Patrick King
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