> <<For me, writing is not about the
plot
> alone. There are only so many plots. I enjoy seeing
the lives of
> characters, which make them feel more alive to me
than movie-like
> stereotypes. Take Lawrence Block's _When the Sacred
Ginmill Closes_.
> Not
> a lot of plot. Lots of interactions between friends,
good dialogue,
> description of New York, lots of Scudder walking
around. But this is a
> great novel. And still short.>>
>
> This is an excellent example of the hardboiled P.I.
novel. Block is a
> fine stylist who does not divert with extraneous
material. Scudder's
> problem with alcoholism is part of the character, and
it is handled
> superbly throughout the entire series (well, he
sobers up).
>
> As an aside, maybe we could include some Block in our
reading
> list..."Ginmill" would be an excellent choice. And
no-one will complain
> of padding!!
>
> Regards,
>
> Mario Taboada
Block, along with Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, and Thomas
H. Cook,
are the best noir writers working today. My personal choice
for a
Scudder reading is OUT ON THE CUTTING EDGE, because it
introduces the
exceptional supporting character of Mick, Scudder's
Irish
bartender/killer acquaintance.
... Reed Andrus
Phoenix, AZ (rising)
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