Hugh Lessig wrote:
> As for Motherless Brooklyn, I found the language
addictive. After reading
> the first five pages, I wasn't sure I could finish
it. "This kid's
> annoying," I'm thinking. Then I began to anticipate
those machine-gun bursts
> of conversation, then I began to look forward to
it.
Agree completely. Apart from the pure fun with words and
phrases, the inevitability of the outbursts builds tension in
certain scenes, such as the ceremonial gathering or just
about any scene with a woman. You're rooting for the guy to
come through. And sometimes he can actually use the outbursts
to his advantage.
Still, I'd hate for Lethem to attempt a "defective detective"
series with the character. Even though it may not have been
entirely realistic, I appreciated the fact that the
"machine-gun bursts" were more under control in the latter
parts of the novel. Lethem seems to know when enough is
enough.
Bill Hagen
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