RARA-AVIS: Re: Parker as an Influence (was "Recent finds on opposite sides of the continent

From: cptpipes2000 ( cptpipes@hotmail.com)
Date: 13 Apr 2008


Kevin said:
> Well, here ya go. I confess. I'm a fan. I still am.

The use of the word "still" nails you. I say this as someone who continues to read every book in the series upon release. But, I "still" read them as well, so I know of what you speak.

Warrants mentioning: Here is what Pelecanos said about Parker on this very list back in 2000:

http://www.miskatonic.org/rara-avis/archives/200012/0106.html

Just wanted to add one small item to this Spenser discussion. Last week I had the opportunity to spend a good deal of time listening to some of the best contemporary crime writers discuss their work (I was at the same conference in the Bahamas that Dick Lochte attended.) Parker's Spenser novels were mentioned repeatedly as a major influence on many of these writers (it was also frequently stated, to be fair, that the early books were far superior to the more recent ones.) My opinion is that the countless imitations of the Spenser books--and there are many--have tarnished our perception of the originals. We're tired of Spenser's sons so we're tired of Spenser. Put it in another context: a young person looking at Bullitt or The French Connection today might yawn at "just another car chase," but those car chases were groundbreaking and mindblowing at the time of their release.

On the other hand, some folks just don't care for the books, and that's cool.



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