Comments on Dark Forces Book Group: 200 Noirs

Hey, thanks for the kind words folks. Yes, Chandle...

2007-12-02T15:14:00.000-06:00

Hey, thanks for the kind words folks.

Yes, Chandler's omission might seem a bit of a puzzle. As I tried to explain (not very effectively, obviously), I have my own definition of noir which detective novels really struggle to fit into -- unless the detectives are crooks, victims or crazy. You'll note that THE MALTESE FALCON is also missing, and it happens to be one of my all-time favourite novels. If I was compiling an equivalent list of hardboiled novels, you'd see plenty of Chandler, plus FALCON.

As for Fredric Brown, he's one of my self-confessed reading gaps. I've only read one of his crime novels and it clearly wasn't one of his best. I'm attempting to remedy my neglect of Mr Brown's crime fiction, and I have a few more of his on hand. If I ever update the list, I'm sure there'll be a few Browns to add.

I have something of a Day Keene fetish, I admit. I just love the no-nonsense way he tells a story. But if you didn't like SAILOR, he might not be for you.

Hope you find a few new books to enjoy, though.

And thanks again for the kind words on KISS. Delighted you enjoyed it, Paul. And Derek, if you do get a copy, hope you enjoy it too.

Al Guthrie

Makes me a bit nostalgic. Thanks.

2007-11-29T15:28:00.000-06:00

Makes me a bit nostalgic. Thanks.

I really think you'll like it. By the way, remembe...

2007-11-25T05:07:00.000-06:00

I really think you'll like it.

By the way, remember when we were talking about RPGs a few meetings ago? Afterwards, I picked up an old copy of Top Secret on eBay. I've been enjoying reading through the players guide for the first time in 20 something years.

Damn. I was in Book People the other day and almo...

2007-11-23T19:11:00.000-06:00

Damn. I was in Book People the other day and almost picked it up. I'll have to get it based on your recommendation, Paul.

With 13 mentions, clearly I need to look into Day ...

2007-11-21T19:08:00.000-06:00

With 13 mentions, clearly I need to look into Day Keene. Hard Case Crime published Home is the Sailor, which I admit did not blow me away.

And note that if he'd gone past '97 Guthrie could have put himself on the list. Kiss Her Goodbye is one of the best of the modern HCC books.

I did only slightly better -- about 40 of the 200 ...

2007-11-20T15:56:00.000-06:00

I did only slightly better -- about 40 of the 200 -- and was also puzzled by Chandler's absence. However, I also noticed that Fredric Brown isn't there, either