I think Juri is identifying a key
bifurcation among hard-boiled readers and writers. There are
some of us for whom mood and style and characterization are
the essence of the book, and others who respond more strongly
to well developed, tightly written storylines. Those who
drift away from Leonard after the early books often do so
because of the "weakness" of his stories, and others who find
nothing to cheer about in the Parker books often complain
about "flat characters whom no one can care about." Joe R.
Lansdale's characters and his style are so marvelous that
I'll be happy to take whatever storyline he hands me.
I'm more of a character, mood and
style man myself and that's why I stick with Elmore and why I
love the Chandler books even more than those of Hammett
(and prefer Ellroy to Jim Thompson). It is possible to
deliver on both fronts as writers like George P. demonstrates
with each new book, but much of the time a writer is either
plot heavy or character driven.
Nevertheless, I also believe that too
much character background info, ala
"Demolition Angel" can kill a book's value faster than a
barrel full of
"thumbnailed" characters.
Jim
Blue
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