At 10:04 AM 1/2/03 -0500, you wrote:
>>The same sort of thing that can be said about
Edward Kennedy (that during
>>his 40 years in the U.S. Senate, he's had a
greater effect on American
>>society than either of his more famous, but
shorter-lived brothers) might
>>well be said of Pronzini:
I just had to address this. Teddy Kennedy proves the point
that being prolific or long-lived is not necessarily better
than having a short, heavier impact. I'll take either Jack OR
Bobby any DAY over place-holder Teddy in the "left a real
legacy" department.
As for Pronzini, I haven't read him, but I will now. That
said, he'd have to be pretty damned good to weigh more
heavily than a guy like either Hammett, Chandler, or
MacDonald. Doesn't mean I won't like him. I like Parker
tremendously, and don't think he's in the same league as "the
Big Three".
Of course, you just can't convince me that being prolific
over a long period of time necessarily makes you better than
someone who labors for long periods over their work. Speaking
as the author of one (as yet unpublished) mystery novel, it's
been a labor involving parts of four years, and I think that
if anything it has given me a healthier respect for guys like
Ross MacDonald (who admittedly wrote 18 variations on the
same basic theme and plot, but hey, it's a great story!),
Raymond Chandler (who wrote VERY slowly), and Dashiell
Hammett (whose output in the late 20s and early 30s is
remarkable, especially in light of his failing health).
Just my two cents.
All the Best,
Brian
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