Kevin Smith (kvnsmith@colba.net)
Tue, 13 Jul 1999 08:37:31 -0400
I've found the last few Robicheaux's read more like retreads,
rather than original novels, suggesting perhaps that Burke
has written himself into a corner. SUNSET LIMITED was
particularly overly familar. Just how many old girlfriends
can show up on Dave's doorstep, dragging a world of hurt,
before Bootsie starts chasing 'em away with a shotgun?
The new series, featuring Billy Bob Holland is, as Mario
pointed out, considerably tighter.
The advice from ghosts' stuff doesn't bug me, for the most
part, actually, which rather surprises me. I don't see it,
though, as New Age mumbo-jumbo so much as gentle prods from
possibly Robicheaux's own battered, and not quite stable
psyche. Did Hamlet actually see his dead father? Did Dave
actually see some old Civil War soldier? Like Ally McBeal or
Hamlet, Dave clearly does not have all his mental
health.
But, like I said, I think Burke's sort of trapped by
Robicheaux. One way out might be to tell a story focussing on
Clete, who isn't burdened with always trying to do the right
thing, as Dave is. I mean, Clete can usually be counted on to
do the most wrong thing, in the most spectacular way, and he
won't spend most of the time agonizing over it. He'd just
reload his gun, mon.
As for Hemingway, it might, indeed, be interesting to discuss
him, but what's really fascinating to me right now is the
marketing going on now. I mean, Hemingway cologne? A line of
clothing? On the cover of some cigar magazines? (He didn't
even like the damn things!) What's next? Will Kevorkian name
his new machine the Hemingway 2000? Will Jar Jar be replaced
by Hemingway's mug on the cups at Burger King for the rest of
the summer?
If there's one restless ghost I'd like to see returning to
get some justice and kick some butt, it's Papa's dropping in
on his money-hungry ancestors who auctioned off his name and
face for a few pieces of silver.
Thanks for the pointer to the Hemingway article, Mario. I'm
on my way....
Kevin Burton Smith The Thrilling Detective Web Site http://www.colba.net/~kvnsmith/thrillingdetective/
Now available! Our Summer Issue, focussing on Radio Private
Eyes, plus new fiction by Peter Parmantie and Kathy
Korty.
-- # To unsubscribe, say "unsubscribe rara-avis" to # To unsubscribe, say "unsubscribe rara-avis" to majordomo@icomm.ca. # The web pages for the list are at http://www.miskatonic.org/rara-avis/.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b3 on Tue 13 Jul 1999 - 08:49:08 EDT