This query might be one for the FAQ, and may have been discussed before: if so, feel free to refer me to the archives! I wondered whether the definition of 'hardboiled' includes some idea of a solo narrator/hero/protagonist as an essential element. This is the main Chandler/Hammett model. Somthing like Elmore Leonard's books, then, which contain many other HB elements, but consist of the inter-related story-lines of a number of characters, wouldn't actually be HB. What do you think? David ___________________________________________________ David R Geelan, Science & Maths Ed Centre,Curtin Uni of Tech GPO U1987, Perth 6001, ph +619 351 3594, fax +619 351 2503. Home page: http://student.curtin.edu.au/~pgeelandr/bravus.htm "the boundaries of reality are in fact movable" - Jurgen Habermas - # RARA-AVIS: To unsubscribe, say "unsubscribe rara-avis" # to majordomo@icomm.ca