I have had the pleasure of reading 'One Endless Hour'
recently. I was struck by its strong similarity to another
book, this being John Godey's 'The Three Worlds of Johnny
Handsome'. Marlows book is copyright '69 and Godey's is
Copyright '72 so it might be a co-incidence but I like to
think Godey read Marlowe's book, liked the basic premise and
came up with his own take on it.
Marlow's book starts like a run-away train but he doesn't
keep it tight. The end of the book is just messy and gives
the impression he has lost interest. The chronology of
Marlowes book is essentially linear. Godey plays around with
the chronology in his narrative and thereby finds a different
and (I think) more dramatic way to introduce the reader to
what is really going on. He keeps the narrative tight and
suspensful and the ending is very Noir.
I think its a challenge to discuss a book in these posts and
try not to reveal specific plot details. If I discuss a book,
I don't want to spoil it for anybody who hasn't read it. Case
in point, 'Wilderness' is currently still in my pile of 'to
be read' books so I appreciate the fact that those discussing
it have done so in broad terms.
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