Instead of one long review, I want to mention briefly books (an arbitrary number because there are so many more) that I loved when I read them-many years ago. None are crime novels because although I read many crime novels, the ones that stay with me in a special way are usually this sort of thing.
Easter Parade, Richard Yates
I like this Yates novel almost as much as REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. It is the sad story of the Grimes sisters and their lives over forty years. It came out in 1976 and it's tone if not its exact plot points stays with me still. Yates had a sad life so it's only fitting that his novels reflect that.
Searching for Caleb, Anne Tyler
I could have chosen any one of Tyler's first dozen books, which I adored. This one is the story of a man searching for his brother who walked out the door many years earlier. Tyler's early books are not about plot. They are about character, place and words. How I loved them.
The story of the Neumillers, ,a midwestern family is shockingly forgotten. Many of the incidents began as New Yorker stories. The book was published in the seventies, to fabulous reviews, and reissued in the 1990s.
Happy All the Time, Laurie Colwin
Laurie Colwin wrote wonderful books and died too young. This is my favorite. The story of two couples and their ups and downs. What's the opposite of mean-spirited. Happy all the time.
The Hair of Harold Roux, Thomas Williams
This novel with a novel was considered a masterpiece in the seventies but is forgotten today. It won the National Book Award. Read it an be amazed.
Sergio Angelini, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, James M. Cain
Joe Barone, THE WOUNDED HEALER, Henri J.M. Nouwen
Brian Busby, Syd Dyke, illustrator
Bill Crider, AMAZING STORIES, June 1958
Curt Evans, Emma Lou Fetta
Ray Garraty, THE HOMESMAN, Glendon Swarthout
Rich Horton, BROOD OF THE WITCH QUEEN, Sax Rohmer
Jerry House SHERLOCK HOLMES THROUGH TIME AND SPACE, edited by Isaac Asimov et al
Nick Jones, NOBODY'S PERFECT, Donald E. Westlake
Margot Kinberg, BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE, Martin Walker
Rob Kitchin, ALL THE DEAD VOICES, Declan Hughes
B.V. Lawso< SPOOKS, SPIES AND PRIVATE EYES, edited by Paula L. Woods
Evan Lewis, FIVE, Temple Field
Steve Lewis/Dan Stumpf, THE MURDER WEARS MUKLUKS, Eunice Mays Boyd
Todd Mason, ECLECTIC FICTION MAGAZINES
J.F. Norris, MY LATE WIVES, Carter Dickson
Juri Numellin, THE RIDGE, Michael Kortya
James Reasoner, MAD STRIKES BACK
Kelly Robinson, THE BIG, GOLD DREAM, Chester Himes
Gerard Saylol, SLOCUM AND THE TRAIL TO YELLOWSTONE, Jake Logan
Kevin Tipple/Patrick Ohl, THE TATTOO MURDER CASE, Akimitsu Takagi
Prashant Trikannad, THE FATHER THING, Philip K. Dick and RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY, Isaac Asimov
R.T. A DRAINING LAKE, Arnaldur Indridason
Tomcat, THE PEARL HARBOR MURDERS, Max Allan Collins
Zybahn, DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS, Walter Mosley
16 comments:
The first half(?) of mine is up!
US newsstand eclectic fiction magazines, from the 1970s till now...Fiction (x2), Short Story International, Argosy (x2)...
I was reading the Woiwode novel at the time a friend and I were taking a trip to the Black Hills. While travelling through North Dakota on July 4, I realized that by taking a slight detour we could see the very small town where Woiwode set part of the book. Bad decision as it turned out that almost no one was around as the population had gone to a larger community for a Fourth of July celebration. I needed gas, but the only gas station was closed. I eventually was able to get the operator to open it so I could fill my tank. He was the one who explained why the town was almost a ghost town. But making the detour made the book come more alive. I can't explain why I was taking such a large book with me on a vacation.
Sci-Fi Sherlock Holmes sounds fun.
I know it's been awhile, but I'm back with an entry this week. I'm hoping things have settled enough to be a regular again. http://bookdirtblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-big-gold-dream-by-chester.html
Patti, thank you for the links. I must remember to read some of Anne Tyler's books. I loved her beautifully titled "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant."
Good list, Patti. I read Woiwode's collection NEUMILLER STORIES. Of course, I've read most of the Yates books, including EASTER PARADE.I'm also a fan of Colwin and Tyler. I've never read the Williams.
Jeff M.
Please include my not-so-forgotten entry for this week: http://casualdebris.blogspot.ca/2014/02/briefly-walter-mosley-devil-in-blue.html
Thanks,
Frank
Please add my link, I'm a little late:
http://longwalkwithbooks.blogspot.ru/2014/02/the-homesman.html
Kent-That makes it more memorable, I am sure. Never been in that part of the country. You took long books then, didn't you. Easier than carrying a pile.
re: the five novels, the titles of all are familiar, but I have read none of them. I really like the cover on Beyond the Bedroom Wall and probably would like the book too. I may get one of these to read. If so, which of the five would you suggest?
Sorry I missed today, overrun with library books that I haven't finished…
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
I think you might like THE HAIR OF HAROLD ROUX because of its story in a story. It was revolutionary at the time.
OR Beyond the Bedroom Wall. Both are great. Roux is about academia though. So maybe the Woiwode. Colwin's is the most accessible.
Juri's got one today:
http://pulpetti.blogspot.com/2014/02/michael-koryta.html
Here, here for Yates!
A long-time commuter from CT to Manhattan, I still cringe at mention of REVOLUTIONARY RD. Same goes for Cheever. I am sorry to see Saul Bellow's novels unread. AUGIE MARCH was seminal for me in the 60s. Ann Taylor is a favorite, tho I may not have read more than 2, incl HOMESICK RESTAURANT.
Thanks, as ever, for including my post, Patti.
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