Lawrence Block

[[deleted user]]

Stephen wrote: "Mike wrote: "Stephen wrote: "I'm aiming to read all of the Scudder series this year - currently on book 7 of 17 - anyone else read them all or working their way through them ? Interested to hear wh..."
I carried on from the 1st which was the group read at the beginning of the year, upto the 6th at the minute, reading one a month....so far so good

[Cathy]

Thought you folks would enjoy a look at Lawrence Block's pulp covers. There are some great ones, two of which I'm fortunate to have. What fun! Kwel, like in cool.

LB's Cover Gallery

[Melki, Femme fatale]

I caught a good NPR interview with Lawrence Block this morning. Read or listen here - http://www.npr.org/2014/08/07/3380143...

[Martyn]

His non-fiction books on writing are pretty good too.

[Melki, Femme fatale]

Alberto wrote: "Don't forget the movie adaptation of his A Walk Among The Tombstones, starring Laim Neeson as Matt Scudder will hit theaters in September. By the way I've seen Hard Case Crime will re-issue the nov..."

Thanks, Alberto, I did not know about the movie.


What does everyone think about Neeson playing Scudder?

I never bought him as an action hero, but as an alcoholic cop, he might be interesting...

[Darren]

Melki wrote: "What does everyone think about Neeson playing Scudder?

I never bought him as an action hero, but as an alcoholic cop, he might be interesting...
"

I very much bought him as an action hero. And while I'm not sure he exactly nailed Scudder, they obviously weren't trying to be true to the book: characters or plot. I enjoyed the film, and Neeson in it.

[Bobbi]

I liked the movie, wasn't sure Neeson could pull it of fans would have preferred someone more grizzled with a square jaw. ;) But he did a good job. The only thing I didn't like about the movie was the implication that he quit drinking after the accident with the little girl.

[David]

I've read most of the Scudder novels. Reading Lawrence Block is what got me into Noir of all kinds, novels, comics, movies, etc. I liked the Scudder novels because you not only get the mystery, but Scudder evolves from one book to the next. Since I have recovered alcoholics in my family, that part of the story interested me. I agree with Mike. The middle books are the best of the series, but his back story is so integral to the series, it makes sense to start from the beginning and get the progression. Those early books are pretty short.

Block was my first mystery reading and when I asked at the used book store who I should try next, I was told I'd be disappointed with most other mystery writers because Block is one of the best. They suggested Hammett and Chandler would be my best bet. They were right. I loved both of them and I have been disappointed by a lot of other writers.

I've also read most of his Hard Case Crime novels and Hit Man. I enjoyed all of them. You can't really go wrong with Hard Case Crime, in my opinion.