RARA-AVIS: Re: Paretsky on Spade

From: Kevin Burton Smith ( kvnsmith@colba.net)
Date: 07 May 2000


Bill Hagen said:

>Thanks to ED for notice of the Paretsky article on
>The Maltese Falcon. It's quite good, actually, especially
>in focusing on the sexual themes in the novel. Sensible.

I'm with Bill on this. Thanks, Eddie. An interesting article. Paretsky often has intriguing, intelligent, sometimes-provocative things to say, and is usually more than willing to give praise where praise is due, particularly to past masters like Chandler and Hammett. Perhaps appropriately enough, she was recently elected as president of the Private Eye Writers of America (replacing our own pal Bob), with Gary Phillips as her running mate. Could be interesting.

By the way, anyone familiar with Paretsky's own work may notice that V.I. Warshawski seems to regard male sexuality with even more suspicion and distrust than Spade regarded the female kind. The two most trustworthy males in her latest book are her 800-year old neighbour, and a priest. My guess is that Paretsky's smart enough to be aware of this irony.

Kevin Burton Smith The Thrilling Detective Web Site http://www.colba.net/~kvnsmith/thrillingdetective/

An A&E Mystery.com Site of the Week, but don't let that discourage you.

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