While in general I do prefer vintage work that doesn't feel dated, it's
often (though, admittedly, not always) interesting to read those works that
have cultural and social norms that, for the most part, no longer exist.
It's like peeking into the past through a legitimate artifact of that time
and place.
'Course, it helps if they're well-written; bad writing is painful to read,
vintage or otherwise.
Ron C.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com [mailto:rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of Anders Engwall
> Sent: Friday, July 16, 2010 4:03 PM
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RARA-AVIS: That old stuff
>
> OK, so here's another angle. Has anyone else noticed that that some of
that
> old vintage stuff seems considerably more modern than others?
>
> Case in point: I just finished John D. MacDonald's "The Price of Murder".
A
> fine read, for sure, but there are certain things in it that dates it just
> so badly. Most obvious is the almost bullyish attitude towards women;
> according to JDM they need a firm male fist to keep them in line. "That
> pretty little wife of yours might benefit greatly if you were to beat her
> frequently" one of the characters says at one point -- and that's from one
> of the good guys. I mean -- what the hell is that?
>
> Now, compare this to Ed McBain's "The Con Man" which I finished before
that.
> It's from the same 1957 as JDM's book, yet McBain seems as fresh and
> contemporary as if it were written yesterday. What gives? Could someone
> explain why McBain's novel seems more contemporary than JDM's? Any other
> examples of oldies that seem to be written just a few weeks ago?
>
>
>
>
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