First, I am glad I'm not a critic. Don't have to look to
deeply. But this, and the preceding item on KS brought some
things to mind.
First, Pelecanos's writing is very personal. I like that.
Especially because I am a contemporary of Pelecanos. I
identify with the times he tries, successfully in my opinion,
to evoke.
This leads to another current string about brand names. I
think Pelecanos' use of brand names is effective. For
example, when he talks about a "Super Bee" I know just what
he means. It's much clearer than saying "the most powerful
stock production car of the 70s." Also, certain types of
people drive Chrysler Products. I can't describe the type,
but it has meaning to me. Likewise Bud Lite. Beer and
alcoholic beverage preference is descriptive of
personalities. There isn't a better descriptor than the brand
name.
Finally, on another current string. Nick Stefanos is the kind
of private eye I imagine may really exist. He doesn't make a
good living at it. Hence his job at "The Spot." Stefanos just
watches and talks to people and generally digs around until
something happens. Without and first-hand knowledge of the
trade, this seems perfectly reasonable.
As you can tell, I'm a big Pelecanos fan. Few authors, to me,
create such believable characters. Maybe I'm a sentimental
sap, but I find myself really rooting for Nick, Dmitri and
the others.
One thing makes me wonder. As intensely personal as these
books seem, I would think them difficult to write. But
Pelecanos seems to be very prolific lately. I don't
understand it, but I'm very glad of it.
Tim Oliver
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