HIGH PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA trumps Thompson and Leonard? In what way? Thompson &
Leonard draw characters who may be low lifes or deeply damaged people, but
they're struggling with their demons. Russell Haxby is simply a cretin. We can
see he's struggling with demons, but he obviously can't. In THE WOMAN CHASER &
WILD WIVES the Haxby doppelgangers at least get what they deserve in the end.
But Haxby goes right along in his evil way damaging others while he's feeling
smug about his job and his clothes and his cars. The book is a pean to a
sociopath. Why did you like it so much?
he's a sociopath. but he's a damned entertaining one
John Lau
"You may have the watches, but we have the time." - Afghan proverb
-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick King <abrasax93@yahoo.com>
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 10:19 am
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
HIGH PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA trumps Thompson and Leonard? In what way? Thompson &
Leonard draw characters who may be low lifes or deeply damaged people, but
they're struggling with their demons. Russell Haxby is simply a cretin. We can
see he's struggling with demons, but he obviously can't. In THE WOMAN CHASER &
WILD WIVES the Haxby doppelgangers at least get what they deserve in the end.
But Haxby goes right along in his evil way damaging others while he's feeling
smug about his job and his clothes and his cars. The book is a pean to a
sociopath. Why did you like it so much?
Patrick King
--- On Sun, 10/18/09, James Michael Rogers <jeddak5@cox.net> wrote:
From: James Michael Rogers <jeddak5@cox.net>
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2009, 6:27 AM
Wow, you didn't like High Priest Of California? One of the
best books of the genre, I thought. Almost trumps Jim Thompson. Elmore Leonard,
on the other hand, leaves me pretty cold.
James
----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick King
To: rara-avis-l@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, October 17, 2009 22:56
Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: Re: John D.
Yeah, I think I would rather read Harry Whittington or Charles Williams, neither
of whom wrote a bad book,
************ ********* *********
If you feel this way, Don't for God's sake, read Whittington' s YOU'LL DIE NEXT.
One of the worst books I read last year. It's so absurd, in the midst of the
mayhem, it's actually funny. Unfortunately it was my first venture into his
work, so have not been inclined to read anything else by him. The first book I
read by Charles Willeford, on the other hand, was MIAMI BLUES, which I loved,
reminded me of Elmore Leonard at his best. So I read THE WOMAN CHASER, THE HIGH
PRIEST OF CALIFORNIA, WILD WIVES, & HONEY GAL, looking for the same high. Didn't
find it. I thought the other books were awful.
I, too, prefer to read writers I can rely on for at least a good read.
Patrick King
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