Okay, it's hard to discuss this without spoiling a certain
plot point in LA Requiem. I'll try to dance clear, but anyone
who is thinking of reading it should be forewarned.
I saw Dolan as a big improvement in Crais's depiction of
women, same with Cole's ex-partner's widow and her daughter.
(Of course, the same could be said of the men, LAR gives
every character greater depth.) I was, and am, pretty fed up
with Lucy. I wouldn't mind if she has walked off for good,
but I kind of doubt it.
I saw Dolan as a very interesting, complex character. She is
smart, but sometimes does dumb things. She is conflicted
about many things and clearly feels and fears betrayal. This
put her drinking and bluster into perspective for me. As for
her "stalking" of Elvis, I agree with Kevin and Jean who say
that is partly a manifestation of her loneliness and feeling
of betrayal by the LAPD in general and her boss in particular
(although in service of pushing the plot forward, she does at
times go further than she believably would). In addition,
Elvis is clearly the first person who has really listened to
her about anything in a very long time. That can be a very
heady experience, especially for someone feeling lonely and
vulnerable. As for her forwardness, I see that as a kind of
self-protection device on her part -- if I act like it's just
physical, I don't have to acknowledge anything deeper which
may end up hurting me. It's a pattern I've seen before, in
both men and women.
Of course, it's all very convenient that Elvis rejects her,
stays true to Lucy. Still, Crais dealt with Elvis's battle
within himself and too-late acknowledgement of his own
feelings toward Dolan pretty well. I thought that was one of
the many ways in which this book is a major leap forward for
Crais in terms of character. We get a greater understanding
of just about everyone (except Lucy, she's still pretty two
dimensional).
I was really looking forward to Dolan keeping Elvis on his
toes. I'm going to miss her.
Mark
ps -- Kevin "the voice of common sense"? There go his
credentials as a curmudgeon.
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