Farewell, Robert B. Parker...

TC Beacham · 01-19-2010, 02:13 PM

We'll miss you!

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ory?id=9602683

"Robert B. Parker, the blunt and beloved crime novelist who helped revive the hard-boiled genre and branded a tough guy of his own through his "Spenser" series, has died. He was 77."

lilac_jive · 01-19-2010, 02:15 PM

Wow, that's sad to hear! I was just reading a mystery book where his books were mentioned often.

Moejoe · 01-19-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC Beacham

We'll miss you!

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ory?id=9602683

"Robert B. Parker, the blunt and beloved crime novelist who helped revive the hard-boiled genre and branded a tough guy of his own through his "Spenser" series, has died. He was 77."

God-damnit!! Now I'm really bummed out. He was the last of the great private-eye writers, now we have nobody to step into his shoes (and even though I like a lot of mystery writers, there's no character that even comes close to Spenser.)

R.I.P. Robert. You gave me lots of fun times with Spenser and Hawk, and lately Jesse Stone. You will be missed.

AnemicOak · 01-19-2010, 05:16 PM

Terrible news, he was truly one of the greats.

zelda_pinwheel · 01-19-2010, 08:15 PM

i only just heard about him in a recent discussion here, and i was looking forward to discovering his books. now i will read them in homage. i'm glad he had time to write lots of them, at least.

am i the only one who immediately thinks of Finch as a worthy successor to Spenser ? keep the spirit alive, moejoe !

Moejoe · 01-19-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelda_pinwheel

am i the only one who immediately thinks of Finch as a worthy successor to Spenser ? keep the spirit alive, moejoe !

Don't say that around Spenser fans, they'll keel-haul ya!

(And yes, you are the only one

)

kennyc · 01-19-2010, 08:52 PM

It's tough when the good one's go. But even though cliche it's great we have their work to live forever.

As I always say: We ARE what we leave behind.

CarolineNH · 01-19-2010, 09:06 PM

I've been a fan of his since the early 80s; I have a letter from him somewhere, in response to a fan letter I wrote to him in the same time frame (one of only a few fan letters I've written in my life). I am truly sorry to see him go.

pshrynk · 01-20-2010, 02:43 PM

Dangit! I just love Hawk! Bad for no reason, but able to lend a hand because he's also reasonably good. Truly the epitome of a character that has stepped out of two D land.

SilverBear · 01-21-2010, 04:04 PM

Robert B Parker was truly one of a kind.
I loved his ability to tell a story that was an updated version of "hard boiled", but with light touches of humor in the dialog. The artistry came in when some of the "humor" Spenser was dispensing was the character's way of keeping chaos at bay --underlining the depth of seriousness of his situation. A lesser writer couldn't begin to do it without coming off as a flip jackass.

Well, I can't really describe it. You Robt. B. Parker fans know what I mean! The uninitiated will not be able to appreciate this aspect of Parker's writing until they get at least 2-3 Spenser novels under their belts.

Advice: It's not essential, but try to check copyright dates and read them in order. There aren't that many Jesse Stone novels, for example, and the meta-plot does develop.

I just a couple weeks ago read [in hardcover, not an ebook] a new addition to the Spenser canon. My public library had it in the Youth section. Parker tells the story of a teenage Spenser getting involved in his first adventure. It's good for anyone of any age, IMO.
http://www.robertbparker.net/bookpag...SBN=0399247769

zelda_pinwheel · 01-21-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Don't say that around Spenser fans, they'll keel-haul ya!

(And yes, you are the only one

)

well, in my defense, so far all i know is his reputation.

also, in my defense, finch is a worth successor to anybody in the noir genre.

(my, it's been a while since anyone threatened a good keel-hauling around here ! we should add that to pshrynk's list.

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBear

Advice: It's not essential, but try to check copyright dates and read them in order. There aren't that many Jesse Stone novels, for example, and the meta-plot does develop.

I just a couple weeks ago read [in hardcover, not an ebook] a new addition to the Spenser canon. My public library had it in the Youth section. Parker tells the story of a teenage Spenser getting involved in his first adventure. It's good for anyone of any age, IMO.
http://www.robertbparker.net/bookpag...SBN=0399247769

thanks for the advice, i'll do that ! the more i hear about parker, the more i can't wait to read him.

pshrynk · 01-21-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverBear

Robert B Parker was truly one of a kind.
I loved his ability to tell a story that was an updated version of "hard boiled", but with light touches of humor in the dialog. The artistry came in when some of the "humor" Spenser was dispensing was the character's way of keeping chaos at bay --underlining the depth of seriousness of his situation. A lesser writer couldn't begin to do it without coming off as a flip jackass.

Well, I can't really describe it. You Robt. B. Parker fans know what I mean! The uninitiated will not be able to appreciate this aspect of Parker's writing until they get at least 2-3 Spenser novels under their belts.

Advice: It's not essential, but try to check copyright dates and read them in order. There aren't that many Jesse Stone novels, for example, and the meta-plot does develop.

I just a couple weeks ago read [in hardcover, not an ebook] a new addition to the Spenser canon. My public library had it in the Youth section. Parker tells the story of a teenage Spenser getting involved in his first adventure. It's good for anyone of any age, IMO.
http://www.robertbparker.net/bookpag...SBN=0399247769

Available for the Kindle here.

basschick · 01-22-2010, 08:33 AM

i read robert b. parker's updates on amazon periodically, along with the blog posts he did there. this morning, when i went to see what was new with him, instead of the usually born date and a -, there was a second date. i was shocked, and hurried to other sources, hoping it was a mistake. as you know, it wasn't.

i love mr. parker's writing style, and i am far from alone. i've read all the spensers, the jesse stones, the sonny randalls, 2 one-offs, appaloosa, chasing the bear and even poodle springs. the humor, the concepts of love and honor, the part of robert b. parker and his relationship with his sons and joan always came through and made him more of a person to me than a lot of writers. just last week i was listening to an interview with him, something i rarely do, as was seeing the pics on his site including the real rosie.

although his passing is very sad, he left a number of books with his publishers. in the interview, he said he always wrote 6 books ahead. there's one coming out next month, and hopefully will be at least 5 (although really i'm hoping for all 6) still to be released.

R.I.P. robert b. parker - you'll be missed.

TC Beacham · 01-22-2010, 10:25 PM

Wow, he wrote 6 books ahead?! Can't wait to read the new ones!

Thanks for the info basschick.

zelda_pinwheel · 01-25-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basschick

although his passing is very sad, he left a number of books with his publishers. in the interview, he said he always wrote 6 books ahead. there's one coming out next month, and hopefully will be at least 5 (although really i'm hoping for all 6) still to be released.

R.I.P. robert b. parker - you'll be missed.

well, that does soften the blow somewhat. thanks for the info, basschick.

01-19-2010, 02:13 PM	#1
TC Beacham Great Beach Reads! Posts: 202 Karma: 300000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	Farewell, Robert B. Parker... We'll miss you! http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...ory?id=9602683 "Robert B. Parker, the blunt and beloved crime novelist who helped revive the hard-boiled genre and branded a tough guy of his own through his "Spenser" series, has died. He was 77."

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01-19-2010, 02:15 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Wow, that's sad to hear! I was just reading a mystery book where his books were mentioned often.

01-19-2010, 05:16 PM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Terrible news, he was truly one of the greats.

01-19-2010, 08:15 PM	#5
zelda_pinwheel zeldinha zippy zeldissima Posts: 27,827 Karma: 921169 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Paris, France Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?	i only just heard about him in a recent discussion here, and i was looking forward to discovering his books. now i will read them in homage. i'm glad he had time to write lots of them, at least. am i the only one who immediately thinks of Finch as a worthy successor to Spenser ? keep the spirit alive, moejoe !

01-19-2010, 08:52 PM	#7
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,872 Karma: 118716293 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	It's tough when the good one's go. But even though cliche it's great we have their work to live forever. As I always say: We ARE what we leave behind.

01-19-2010, 09:06 PM	#8
CarolineNH Expert napper Posts: 112 Karma: 77362 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Hampshire Device: Kindle Paperwhite, iPad Pro, Kindle Fire 10	I've been a fan of his since the early 80s; I have a letter from him somewhere, in response to a fan letter I wrote to him in the same time frame (one of only a few fan letters I've written in my life). I am truly sorry to see him go.

01-20-2010, 02:43 PM	#9
pshrynk Beepbeep n beebeep, yeah! Posts: 11,726 Karma: 8255450 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: La Crosse, Wisconsin, aka America's IceBox Device: iThingie, KmkII, I miss Zelda!	Dangit! I just love Hawk! Bad for no reason, but able to lend a hand because he's also reasonably good. Truly the epitome of a character that has stepped out of two D land.

01-21-2010, 04:04 PM	#10
SilverBear ἄρκτος ὁ Μέγας Posts: 76 Karma: 155874 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Western New York State Device: Onyx Boox 60	Robert B Parker was truly one of a kind. I loved his ability to tell a story that was an updated version of "hard boiled", but with light touches of humor in the dialog. The artistry came in when some of the "humor" Spenser was dispensing was the character's way of keeping chaos at bay --underlining the depth of seriousness of his situation. A lesser writer couldn't begin to do it without coming off as a flip jackass. Well, I can't really describe it. You Robt. B. Parker fans know what I mean! The uninitiated will not be able to appreciate this aspect of Parker's writing until they get at least 2-3 Spenser novels under their belts. Advice: It's not essential, but try to check copyright dates and read them in order. There aren't that many Jesse Stone novels, for example, and the meta-plot does develop. I just a couple weeks ago read [in hardcover, not an ebook] a new addition to the Spenser canon. My public library had it in the Youth section. Parker tells the story of a teenage Spenser getting involved in his first adventure. It's good for anyone of any age, IMO. http://www.robertbparker.net/bookpag...SBN=0399247769

01-22-2010, 08:33 AM	#13
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	i read robert b. parker's updates on amazon periodically, along with the blog posts he did there. this morning, when i went to see what was new with him, instead of the usually born date and a -, there was a second date. i was shocked, and hurried to other sources, hoping it was a mistake. as you know, it wasn't. i love mr. parker's writing style, and i am far from alone. i've read all the spensers, the jesse stones, the sonny randalls, 2 one-offs, appaloosa, chasing the bear and even poodle springs. the humor, the concepts of love and honor, the part of robert b. parker and his relationship with his sons and joan always came through and made him more of a person to me than a lot of writers. just last week i was listening to an interview with him, something i rarely do, as was seeing the pics on his site including the real rosie. although his passing is very sad, he left a number of books with his publishers. in the interview, he said he always wrote 6 books ahead. there's one coming out next month, and hopefully will be at least 5 (although really i'm hoping for all 6) still to be released. R.I.P. robert b. parker - you'll be missed.

01-22-2010, 10:25 PM	#14
TC Beacham Great Beach Reads! Posts: 202 Karma: 300000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle 2	Wow, he wrote 6 books ahead?! Can't wait to read the new ones! Thanks for the info basschick.

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