I think this is a good example of something that happens with
some regularly on the list. Miker has read the first three
Spillane Hammer novels and one in the Chester Himes' series
and made comparisons. Fair enough, as he stated what he was
comparing. Others disagreeing seem to be doing so from a
broader comparison of Spillane and Himes. Spillane's
commie/mafia focus may be valid but not when limited to an
examination of the first three novels.
I was tempted to disagree with Miker but realized both his
and Channing's opinions may be valid in their separate
contexts.
Richard Moore
--- In
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com, Michael Robison
<miker_zspider@...> wrote:
>
> Channing wrote:
>
> Spillane's hatred is aimed at Commies and the
mafia.
> Himes saves his venom for hypocritical
religious
> types. There is always a con-man using false
religion
> to bilk the poor citizens of Harlem.
>
> Social commentary plays a larger part in the
Himes'
> books.
>
> **************
> In mentioning the many similarities between
Himes's
> Real Cool Killers and Spillane's early Hammer
novels,
> I didn't mean to imply that they were
identical.
>
> Nevertheless, I disagree with your statement
above.
> First, I've only read the first three Hammer
novels,
> and if I recall correctly, none of them
involved
> significant Commie or mafia connections. Also,
a
> religious con didn't play a big part in Real
Cool
> Killers. The anger of the main protagonists
appears
> to be aimed at the same type of people in the The
Real
> Cool Killers and the first three Hammer novels,
major
> criminals using violence to solve
problems.
>
> And I haven't a clue how you fail to see
social
> commentary in Spillane's work. I could write a
book
> on that.
>
> Like you, I enjoy both writers.
>
> miker
>
>
>
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 17 Jul 2007 EDT