M-T (matrxtech@sprintmail.com)
Tue, 13 Jul 1999 11:08:18 -0400
Kip:
<<But I have to say that I think THE LOST GET-BACK
BOOGIE is one of the best novels I read in the 1980s, and I'd
enthusiastically recommend it to anybody.>>
I would second this. It's a great novel, though not a mystery
or a crime novel. There is also Burke's excellent collection,
_The Convict and Other Stories_.
<<Then again, I understand Charles Willeford gave Burke
a lot of advice about cutting and shaping the novel, so there
you go.>>
You can never trim enough... I find it amusing to think of
what Burke's Robicheaux novels would look like if one took
out the lengthy descriptions of the bayous, Gulf storms,
fishing in home-made pirogues, and so on. My conclusion is
that they would read like old Gold Medal action novels.
Whatever one thinks about Burke's style, at heart his work is
truly hardboiled.
While I see that many of the criticisms are valid, it will
take more to convince me that Burke is not a great writer.
His best moments, which for me are all in the action, are
second to none. I agree with Kevin that Burke should exploit
Clete Purcel, his greatest character.
Regards,
mt
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