>I'm not trying to be a fascist, I'm just saying that
the question of
>whether "Homicide" gets an Edgar, in and of itself,
doesn't have much
>to do with hardboiled fiction.
But those threads about jazz and pop and other forms of
music, or comics,
or the playing schedules of restored films in a local San
Francisco theatre
or whether John's Grill actually has The Maltese Falcon, are?
I assume
discussion of whether LA Confidential gets an Oscar won't be
discussed? It
was just a comment in passing, anyway. But Homicide is
probably the only
show on the tube right now that definitely begs discussion on
this list
(not that I'm starting one-at least, I don't think I am). And
as for
reading a character like Pembleton, man, you don't need a
book; he's on the
tube, and proof that intelligence, American television, drama
and
hardboiledness can co-exist.
We seem to be pretty good at keeping more-or-less on-topic.
Just give us a
little rope.
>On another note, I was looking over the archives and
saw there's been
>a bit of talk about Lawrence Block. I just picked up a
couple of bis
>Scudder books, _Eight Million Ways to Die_ and _A
Ticket to the
>Boneyard_, and they're very good. Most of you already
know that,
>though. Nice to find a writer you like who's got so
many books out.
>I e-mailed him at lawbloc@aol.com and got on his
newsletter list, too.
As for Block, do yourself a favor. Had you read the books
leading up to
Eight Million Ways To Die? It's the pivotal book in the
series, and it's
best read with an appreciation of the events that lead up to
it. (It's also
possibly responsible for one of the worst adaptations into
film of a good
detective novel, but I digress). In fact, the series could be
divided by
"Eight." I've always found the first books much bleaker
(noirish? in tone)
while everything since a tad lighter (even as the body count
climbs, and
the sickos and psychos come a-crawling out of the
woodwork).
And if it's not too off-topic, tell us more about this Block
newsletter.
Kevin Smith
Web & Graphic Design
mailto:kvnsmith@total.net
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