RARA-AVIS: Chinaman's Chance

From: Mbdlevin@aol.com
Date: 14 Aug 2000


Dick Lochte writes:

<< Are we talking about too much con or too much plot? >>

We might be talking about both. I liked Chinaman's Chance pretty well--or I guess I should say it went down pretty smoothly. I'm not sure, though, that I would seek out too many more of his books. The excessive intricacy brings to mind Chandler's comment about excessive plotting in English mysteries. I didn't mind all the con, but some of the other plot lines (impotency, paternity, nymphomania) seemed a bit much. I also wonder if some of the house of cards falls apart when you think about it...but maybe not. One question: what is the current status of adventurer fiction? This book has the spy/political conspiracy thing going, but it seems more in the tradition of adventure fiction. Roughened men living on the edge in exotic places do more of the same in the exotic and rough land of Southern California.

Bill, how long is the reading hiatus?

Doug

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