By pure coincidence, when the messages recently appeared on
R-A to acclaim THE ICE HARVEST (but acclaims were already
given earlier on this list)- the first novel by Scott
Phillips- I was still reading it. I finished it
yesterday.
I just have to add my own high appreciation to the already
existing flattering comments some Avians made about this
novel. This rather short novel is really in the HB tradition
of the fifties, tightened up and noir tinted, told in a very
efficient tone and writing. The central character, soaking in
close to trivial details, in the middle of what is a
Shakespearian final scene of some duration, is a terrific
character construction by Phillips. This guy Charlie, being
something like an ordinary man, does not think twice if his
survival is in immediate danger, by instinct and with not a
single feeling of remorse, but he can be emotionally
disturbed if he creates a little discomfort to someone he
comes by. The Christmas Evening and Night add a close to
surrealistic touch, and certainly black humor, to the whole
thing. I really enjoyed this novel and will try to get the
next one by Phillips, wherein he tells a kind of sequel to
this first story, as well as events of the past. After my
reading I was convinced that Phillips has the potential to
even do better than THE ICE HARVEST.
E.Borgers Hard-Boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
William Denton:
>On 14 November 2005, Craig Larson wrote:
>
>
>
>>Anyway, the book itself is a neat little story
that covers several hours
>>on Christmas Eve, as small-time lawyer/bagman to
the mob Charlie Arglist
>>prepares to leave Wichita, Kansas, with the money
that he and a partner
>>have been skimming for years.
>>
>>
>
>I loved the book, and am looking forward to the
movie, which I've heard
>(here?) is very good. You'll like THE WALKAWAY, too,
but be prepared for
>much more complexity in what happens when.
>
>I think I also heard that Phillips has another novel
finished and
>something will happen with it after the movie's out
and, with luck, he's
>widely recognized as a great writer.
>
>Bill
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 15 Nov 2005 EST