What about keeping characters alive after the author is dead?

[Gary]

Schultz provided that no one take over the strip after his death. That is the reason that reruns of old strips appear rather than new strips.

The Nero Wolfe novels by Robert. Goldsborough were authorized, no pun intended, by Rex Stout's estate.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Donald wrote: "You've sort of opened up a can of worms here, at least for me. I think it's nothing less than a smack in the face to the writer, the implication that their style of writing, characters, and what th..."

I agree with you. Books, when written and sold, become products. I got into a debate one time that they are not 'works of art' like some other art, but productions dished out in the thousands. The point is that going in to it there's a work of art process (writing), and I feel that the character belongs to the author that creates them. A little sentimental sounding, but true.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

R.G. wrote: "For Donald and the others who are outraged by this trend, I understand where you're coming from. I really do.

But it doesn't bother me that much. As long as I still enjoy the books, I kind of lik..."

Hm, good points too. I guess it can depend. I know that if an author doesn't mind, I'm more forgiving toward it. Some don't mind ghostwriters - others, on the hand, would probably be rolling around in their grave, which bugs me.

[J.L.]

I think this is a good question. I suppose, as with so many things, it depends.

It can be very difficult to keep a series going / characters alive following the author's death. It needs to be treated very carefully. And I can understand those who believe that the characters end with the author who created them.

In the case of Robert B. Parker's Spenser and Jesse Stone, his estate personally selected authors to continue with those characters. I think, for the most part, they have done an admirable job. Ace Atkins does an especially good job with Spenser.

I miss Robert B. Parker's unique voice, but I am enjoying the continuation of the Spenser and Jesse Stone series as they are beloved characters for me.

Perhaps it comes down to the author's wishes or those of his family (who, presumably, would know what the author would want to see happen with his/her characters).

Ultimately, readers decide whether those characters truly get to live on by reading, or not reading, those characters by other authors.

[Janet]

I guess it is okay if they clearly categorize the new writing as Fan Fiction. i.e. The new writer uses the same characters and the same setting, but write in his or her own style.

Death Comes to Pemberley, for example, was a big success. P. D. James used the same characters and the setting, but the writing was clearly her own and was presented as such. Not even the genre was the same. James brought the characters into the crime fiction genre.

I am waiting to see the critics' verdict on David Lagercrantz's outing of Lisbeth Salander.

[J.L.]

Janet wrote: "I guess it is okay if they clearly categorize the new writing as Fan Fiction. i.e. The new writer uses the same characters and the same setting, but write in his or her own style.

[book:Death Come..."

A very good example from P.D. James.

[J.L.]

Gary wrote: "Schultz provided that no one take over the strip after his death. That is the reason that reruns of old strips appear rather than new strips.

The Nero Wolfe novels by Robert. Goldsborough were aut..."

For me, I think that is the key. What were the author's wishes? If the author didn't want anyone to continue on with the characters, then it should end there. For those like Nero Wolfe by Goldsborough and Spenser (+ Jesse Stone) by Robert B. Parker, the estates selected authors to continue.

[Janet]

The Raymond Chandler estate selected Benjamin Black also, I have read.

I loved the original Jason Bourne thrillers by Robert Ludlum. Gave up on the series after reading a book by the new author who took over. I could sense that the characters and the plot were not as sharp.

[J.L.]

Janet wrote: "The Raymond Chandler estate selected Benjamin Black also, I have read."

I read that as well. I also recently read that Black is a pen name of author John Banville.

[Ron]

Since I usually don't know the original author's opinion on the matter, it usually comes down, to me, to whether or not I want to continue reading about the characters.

In the case of Robert Parker's Spenser, Jesse Stone and Cole & Hitch, I do want to continue reading about the characters. While, in the case of the Robert Ludlum Jason Bourne character, I really could care less. I'll probably read a couple, but, even when reading Ludlum's books, I couldn't really identify with Jason Bourne.

It comes down, to me, of whether or not I wish the characters to die along with the author. And, usually, the answer to that, is, it depends. Just my take on this. If I like a series well enough, I'll keep reading. If I don't, I won't.

[Gary]

I have generally been very happy with the Goldsborough Nero Wolfe novels. I have always wanted to read the full story of how Archie ended up as Nero's version of Watson. Goldsborough wrote that novel a couple of years ago. The book also introduced some of the other regular cast. I found it to be an enjoyable read.

I remember years ago an authorized new Perry Mason novel. I don't think it did very well.

(Off topic) I'd rather see Mysterious Press or some other publisher get the E-pub rights for the whole Mason series as well as the Donald Lam/Bertha Cool series. It troubles me that many classic mysteries are OOP.

[Janet]

Interesting idea about the Perry Mason series. I loved watching the TV series when I was young.

I think it is really sad that Steig Larsson's long time partner never got any part of his estate because Larsson died suddenly and they were not legally married. She lost all say in the matter of his books. Countries should really give some legal rights by default to cohabiting partners in this day and age.

[Janet]

J.L. wrote: "I read that as well. I also recently read that Black is a pen name of author John Banville."

Yes, I have read several of Black's/Banville's crime series. Gorgeous writing. I have bought The Black Eyed Blond in paperback and it is waiting on my shelves to be read along with another one of Black's books. The Chandler family estate got lucky with Black/Banville in my opinion.

[Maggie]

R.G. wrote: "For Donald and the others who are outraged by this trend, I understand where you're coming from. I really do.

But it doesn't bother me that much. As long as I still enjoy the books, I kind of lik..."

I'm ambivalent too. On the one hand, you want the experience to continue - its a tribute to the original author, and some writers can really carry it off, but on the other hand, its not and can never be that original author's world view. I think PD James had a great go at continuing an Austen storyline, but a great deal of work by lesser writers just read like bad fan fiction. Let it lie when an author passes, I think. Otherwise it becomes just another commercial franchise.

[Chris]

Kathy wrote: "I think Eric Lustbader has been doing a very good job writing Robert Ludlum's Bourne series, and I am incredibly grateful that Brandon Sanderson stepped in and finished Robert Jordan's Wheel of Tim..."

I agree, I have read all of Eric's Bourne books, pretty good I must say. BTW, Kyle Mills has done a good job with Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp in The Survivor.

I also rather have some characters still around. Nope, no grave robbing in my mind.

[Ron]

It seems to me to be pretty simple. If you don't like a character being written about after the original author has died, don't read them. If you still do want to read such books, then, do so. As I say. Pretty simple.

[Chris]

Ron wrote: "It seems to me to be pretty simple. If you don't like a character being written about after the original author has died, don't read them. If you still do want to read such books, then, do so. As I..."

OK, I'll buy that one. :-)

[Janet]

^ bump ^

[Marion]

I think that the original author of a character has much more to offer.

[Ron]

Marion wrote: "I think that the original author of a character has much more to offer."

Originally, that is probably so. But, under this premise, the original author is no longer writing them.