In a message dated 1/3/03 4:01:35 AM Eastern Standard Time,
owner-rara-avis@icomm.ca writes:
<< Woolrich reworked the theme of "murder to avenge
the
death of a loved one" in RENDEVOUS IN BLACK, but
I
thought it was brought off better in BRIDE. I
also
prefer it to PHANTOM LADY (written as by "William
Irish"), which, with BRIDE, is possibly
Woolrich's
best-known novel.
JIM DOHERTY
>>
Like horse races, a difference of opinions adds spice to the
mix. I would rank "Bride" third in that group of novels.
PHANTOM LADY was a remarkable novel for its time although not
without flaws and lessened by the many imitations that
followed. RENDEZVOUS IN BLACK is the best Woolrich I have
read under any name. I can only assume that Woolrich felt the
need to revisit the theme and structure of "Bride" again or
he would not have bothered with "Rendezvous." Of course, a
writer's view of his work is notoriously suspect and I do not
say this as a trump card.
Again, differences of opinion make horse races and all three
are worth searching out and reading.
Richard Moore
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