----- Original Message ----- From: "Rene Ribic" <
rribic@optusnet.com.au>
> You can count me in as someone with a preference for
"crime" novels
> (according to your definition) & I think you've
done a very good job of
> explaining why I do have that preference.
That's good to know. I was beginning to wonder if I made any
sense at all.
>I was thinking in terms of
> believability but that doesn't explain liking
authors such as Woolrich
> or even Goodis. It would be interesting to work out
where Chester Himes
> (the "Harlem" novels) belongs according to these
criteria - technically
> he'd be in the "anti-crime" camp but I feel he
belongs in the "crime"
> camp. I could argue the case but I don't have the
time but one thing I
> will say: as far as "procedurals" go, there don't
seem to be a hell of a
> lot of procedure going on.
Apart from which, Coffin Ed and Grave Digger Jones behave
like gangsters. They don't do much detecting. They prefer
head-bashing and deal-making. And solving crimes becomes less
and less of a priority as the series progresses. Great
characters. But great policemen?
> Anyhow, Al, thanks for the stimulating new take on
classification -
> quite frankly, I'd grown rather bored with similar
discussions but
> you've definitely brought an interesting & fresh
perspective to that
> particular thread.
Thanks, Rene. As long as I'm not boring everybody...
Al Guthrie
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