Richard Stark's Blog, page 2

Meanwhile, on Twitter…

@ExtAngel Glenn Kenny
Goddamnit. I should never go to the gym while I'm in the MIDDLE of a Richard Stark novel.

14 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®

 

@WDGagliani W.D. Gagliani
Openings: John Dortmunder was a man on whom the sun shone only when he needed darkness. / Donald Westlake, Bad News, 2001 ((I can relate!))

16 Nov via web

 

@DaveZeltserman Dave Zeltserman
My vote for best crime writer of the last 50 years: Donald Westlake/Richard Stark

14 Nov via web

 

@ExtAngel Glenn Kenny
If Donald Westlake were alive today, I'd hunt him down and kiss him full on the mouth.

14 Nov via TweetDeck

 

@Fripso P. LR
Just finished another "Dortmunder" novel by Donald E. Westlake. Jeez he was so funny and inventive. Those books never disappoint. ☺

13 Nov via UberSocial for BlackBerry

 

@quoteshash Quoteshash.com
Sorry; I have no space left for advice. Just do it. Donald E Westlake quoteshash.com

11 Nov via twitterfeed

 

@tangognat Anna
Gonna read some Donald Westlake and knit this fingerless glove.

9 Nov via Twitterrific

 

[Not exactly sure why but that last one is my favorite.]

Her Favorite Author

By Daniela Gitlin on her blog

 

Westlake wrote quirky, smart stories about quirky, smart people living full lives outside the law. Sure, they go down quick and easy as escapist trash. But to think they are trash would be a mistake, like falling for Columbo's dull bulb act. Single-handed creator of the comedic caper and noir crime fiction, Westlake is THE Grand Master.

 

You can read him for belly laughs. (And you should. There is nobody funnier than Westlake.) You can read him for the worldly vitamins and knowing minerals missing from your diet. You can read him to figure out how he does his magic. However you read him, his writing is a thing of beauty and a joy forever.

 

[She doesn't get every detail right but she comes damn close and her analysis is insightful. Excellent excerpt choices. A great read overall. Original post: Why Donald Westlake is My Favorite Author.]

Not For Sale

From Seacoast Online – Portsmouth, NH

 

Even with more than 3,000 titles in Mainely Murders and 10,000 in their ever-expanding collection, Keeney and Whetstone admit there are books they will never sell.

 

"I collect Richard Stark, which is another name for Donald Westlake. He was among the first of the good and bad guys. He's a robber and he robs his way through 20-something books. He tends to be quite popular. I'm sure that I could sell my collection very quickly, but I don't," Whetstone said.

 

[Sure, it's Parker who does the robbing and Stark who did the writing, but it's still a very nice quote from a nice story about a pair of women who's lifelong dream to open a mystery book shop has recently come true: Kennebunk women share their passion for mysteries in new venture by Samantha Stephens]

Forgotten Books: The Jugger by Richard Stark

by Ed Gorman (on his blog)

 

How's this for an opener? I'm about to review the worst book Donald E. Westlake ever wrote. Don't take my word for it. Here's Westlake himself speaking.

 

"I spoiled a book by having him do something he wouldn't do. The sixth book in the series is called The Jugger, and that book is one of the worst failures I've ever had. The problem with it is, in the beginning of the book this guy calls him and says "I'm in trouble out here and these guys are leaning on me and I need help," and Parker goes to help him. I mean, he wouldn't do that, and in fact, the guy wouldn't even think to call him! (laughs)"

 

I found this quote on The Violent World of Parker website, a goodie. "Westlake has more than once cited The Jugger as a failure, and although I've never seen it straight from the horse's mouth, I've heard he considers it the worst book he's ever written. Well, Mr. Westlake, if this is the worst you can do after cranking out more books than I can count, I am in great envy of your abilities.

 

Read the rest at Ed Gorman's blog.

Palm Beach Peccadillos

It’s no secret by now that Taylor Hackford has directed the forthcoming Parker, based on Richard Stark’s Flashfire, with Jason Statham in the starring role. Among Parker fans, pretty much everything is already known about the casting, making and eventual distribution of this movie. What amuses me is how Palm Beach, Florida, played its part in both the book and Read More ...