Mario,
Coincidentally I also just picked up The Spy Who Was Three Feet Tall,
but it was Hard Case Crime's recent reprinting of Stop This Man! that
got me back on Rabe like a bad habit. It's not great, but not a bad
first book. About half way through it almost seems as if he's
starting another novel--a story within a story. Now that I'm 3/4 of
the way through, I'm wondering how he's going to tie it all together.
But I am enjoying it.
I realized that between HHC, Black Lizard and Stark House all of
Rabe's first 10 novels have been reprinted and 15 of his first 19
novels, as well, so there are a lot of used copies of Rabe's books
around. With that many books still around it's hard to call him semi-
forgotten.
Jeff
On Sep 4, 2009, at 11:55 AM, jacquesdebierue wrote:
> Inspird by rereading Donald Hamilton, I've been on a Gold Medal
> kick. The latest one I read is Peter Rabe's The Spy Who Was Three
> Feet Tall. This "spy" is a pygmy nicknamed "Baby". Very funny
> intrigue novel, frothy and light but extremely well written.
> Sometimes I am surprised at the care that Gold Medal writers put
> into their writing. In this case, the dialogue is very well tuned.
>
> I may have to go on a Rabe spree here! He wrote plenty, so no lack
> of material.
>
> This guy is another semiforgotten writer from that era. My
> understanding is that he was quite popular, not top seller but
> solid (meaning millions of people read him).
>
> Anyway, I recommend Rabe to those who don't yet know him. He is
> agile and intelligent, and he also has a fine sense of humor.
>
> mrt
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