Though I agree with the essay's basic theme -- that
Hamilton's work is worthy of notice and respect -- IMO the
essayist dulls the point by overwriting, by confusing
literary characters with actors, by extraneous misinformation
and by passing off his screwball opinion as fact. What pisses
me off the most is his absurd, backhanded treatment of the
late Dorothy B. Hughes, whom he identifies as "the dreadful
Dorothy B. Hughes," without any indication of why he finds
her dreadful. Later on, he describes her, with distain, as a
writer of women in jeopardy novels. Her most famous books,
"In A Lonely Place," "Ride the Pink Horse," and
"The Fallen Sparrow," all have male protagonists and in at
least one of them, the woman is the villain. Her series
character is Inspector Tobin. And what the hell is Dorothy B.
Hughes doing in a Hamilton essay in the first place?
Likewise, what does his statement about John Wayne's dodging
the draft (a dubious factoid at best) have to do with the
like and times of Matt Helm?
Hamilton deserves a better defender, if, indeed, he needs
one.
Dick Lochte
> If you like Hamilton, you might be interested in the
long
> essay found here:
>
> http://www.jottings.ca/john/thriller_writ1.html
>
> Bill Crider
Thanks, Bill. Looks interesting - the fella shore has read
hisself a lot of books.
Rene
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