Yeah, doesn't work for me. At all. But I'm glad you enjoy them and I thank you for saying why. I will consider your words.
I'm restraining myself from chiming in on the James Patterson thread because that really has me spitting lead. Besides, I want to work up a good head of steam before I unload.
James
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Jeter
To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 16:57
Subject: Re: vachss Re: RARA-AVIS: James Ellroy
I think they are plausible; you seem not to.
I like that the characters all, except for perhaps, the DA/Lawyer,
Wolfe, are all working class. Even Wolfe seems to have working class
roots.
Within this working class ethos, I like the fact that the working
class, the abused, can rise above their abuse to create something
decent for themselves.
I like the idea that people of disparate backgrounds can come together
and create a meaningful community, if for no one else but themselves.
I like the books for their unsentimental exploration of the effects of abuse.
As someone who also likes Parker´s Spenser, I like Vachss creating of
an opposite, an antithesis, of Spenser. Spenser shows me how to reach
for more than what I am. Vachss/Burke shows me that whatever my
belief, it should point me toward others.
And yes, I like the idea that buying a book contributes to more than
just an individual author.
You asked me what I liked, and those are the things I like.
On 1/27/10, James Michael Rogers <jeddak5@cox.net> wrote:
> Vachss takes a courageous stand against pedophiles. How unusual. Every
> courthouse in America has unsung attorneys doing the same thing. If they had
> an eyepatch and a faux macho attitude they might be pretty cool. Double cool
> if they get on Larry King to brag about it.
>
> What did you like about the books? The car with the seat that triggers to
> crush people? Gee, I don't see why Philip Marlowe didn't have one of those.
> James Bond could have used one too, but the MI6 budget isn't what it used to
> be.
>
>
> James
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Michael Jeter
> To: rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 16:12
> Subject: Re: vachss Re: RARA-AVIS: James Ellroy
>
>
>
> I think people should note why Vachss writes: It enables him to act as
> a lawyer who represents children exclusively. And for my money, I do
> not see how one can call Vachss a knockoff of anyone.
>
> On 1/26/10, BaxDeal@aol.com <BaxDeal@aol.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > i disagree about vachss. read the first 3 or 4 in the burke series
> (flood,
> > as
> > someone mentioned already, is the first). shella, a non series, is also
> > worthy.
> >
> >
> > most of what I've read of Vachss seems cartoonish and over the top. I
> > found Shella to be the exception. an excellent work
> >
> > everybody's comments about Ellroy are all on the mark
> >
> > John Lau
> >
> >
> >
> > Vaya con Carné
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
> --
> Michael Damian Jeter
> New Orleans, LA
> Literacy, Music, and Democracy
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
--
Michael Damian Jeter
New Orleans, LA
Literacy, Music, and Democracy
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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