tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post8772207221722616878..comments2023-10-06T20:40:16.011-07:00Comments on Scientist Gone Wordy: Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter MosleyRachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-80008671428903553942011-03-06T00:42:23.131-08:002011-03-06T00:42:23.131-08:00And my thanks to you, Michael! I'm looking for...And my thanks to you, Michael! I'm looking forward to the next one.<br /><br />You know I've never thought about the idea of "conventional wisdom" as it applies to notable events but that's a very good way of putting it. Just as "conventional wisdom" often is misleading or downright wrong, so our interpretation of current and past events can be greatly colored by the lens through which it is presented. Very interesting observation!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-14227807816453241552011-03-02T17:44:47.864-08:002011-03-02T17:44:47.864-08:00Regarding the sex scene convention, for this genre...Regarding the sex scene convention, for this genre it can appear to be on an author's checklist to include in their work. And that can be oft-putting -- e.g., Elvis Cole bedding both the client and the client's friend in his THE MONKEY'S RAINCOAT debut. That always seems to garner some comment from friends who I recommend the series to. But, Crais threw out the checklist soon enough (STALKING THE ANGEL) and brought it to a level that made it quite satisfying.<br /><br />The historical perspective of Mosley is a strength of the Easy Rawlins series, I think. The events from one community's viewpoint versus another's really adds an additional layer of context. It readily causes one to question the conventional wisdom of notable events (especially in my neck of the woods). As always, it's great to get into another joint post, Rachel. Thanks very much.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-26763388217435054302011-03-02T12:17:03.933-08:002011-03-02T12:17:03.933-08:00Nah, feel free to pester me any time, Rachel. I...Nah, feel free to pester me any time, Rachel. I've learned that sometimes I'm just not in the mood for a particular type of book and it's best to put it aside and come back later, especially if it's a book by an author I've enjoyed in the past. I know this about me. So I'll come at the latest Pike-Fest at a later time, but yeah, I'd best stay clear of discussions and forums.Charles R. Rutledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265387377510655973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-12724197402756767442011-03-01T21:25:18.350-08:002011-03-01T21:25:18.350-08:00lp13 - I agree completely about the community. I l...lp13 - I agree completely about the community. I like when an author takes the time to illuminate the community from which a character springs. When done subtlely it's very obvious how it informs the actions of the character, but in a good way, not in a lazy, over-writing kind of way.<br /><br />I felt Daphne was definitely a different character in the movie than the book. I remember the first time I saw the movie I wondered where the title came from because it didn't match. <br /><br />You and Charles both have me thinking I need to pay more attention to Mouse in the series. I'm willing to concede that maybe I'm short-changing him.<br /><br />Re: the genre sex scene convention... I should clarify that I have no problem with sex scenes it's just that they don't always arise naturally by way of the story events but literally because they are supposed to be there. I refuse to be so condescending as to take the perspective of 'these are guys and they are always hot for it so any hole will do' but it seems quite a few someones want me to buy into the stereotype. Pass! I would imagine anyone would be up for a nice, intimate and satisfying tryst but when it comes out of left field I just sit there going, 'why is this happening?'<br /><br />Charles - Looks like I'm not the only one noticing the sex scene convention (added some more thoughts on it just above)<br /><br />The only other Easy book I've read so far is Little Scarlet which is past Little Yellow Dog. I quite liked it (actual LA events depicted and I always dig history in my books), and I've read Fearless Jones and really liked that one, too. Maybe you saw what I was saying to Michael but it looks like I need to give Mouse another chance. I'll withold judgement until I've read a few more books. <br /><br />And you read my mind! I have been wondering about your Sentry review but I wasn't sure if you'd be too keen on my pesting you about it. :) I actually sailed right through it because the pacing worked so well for me. Also, the very un-Pike things had me wondering if there was going to be some sort of reveal that would explain it all. I don't want to make too many comments and spoil anything but I do agree about the odd Pike behaviors. When/if you do get back to it I'll be very interested in your final verdict and will include some comments on what was happening that bothered me. If interested, on a recent reading roundup of mine <a href="http://sgwordy.blogspot.com/2011/02/reading-roundup.html#comments" rel="nofollow">some comments</a> were made addressing this about The Sentry. They are slightly spoilerish, ye be warned.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12471937819219493034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-13795261671534414962011-03-01T04:33:12.573-08:002011-03-01T04:33:12.573-08:00Mosley has always been something of a mixed bag fo...Mosley has always been something of a mixed bag for me. I enjoyed the first few Easy Rawlins books but Easy ran out of steam for me about the time of A Little Yellow Dog, which I think was the fourth book. Later I was very taken with another of Mosley's protagonists, Fearless Jones. I've yet to try his newest series.<br /> I did like the character of Mouse quite a bit, mostly because he was just so unpredictable. I always thought of Mouse as Hawk to Easy's Spenser, but a Hawk you had to be really careful of. <br /> As to the sex scenes, that did seem to be something of a convention in hard boiled mystery fiction of the time.<br /><br /> On an unrelated subject, Rachel, if you're wondering what became of my review of Crais' The Sentry, I started the book, and rather to my surprise found that I wasn't enjoying it. I put it aside to try again later, just in case I was simply in an unreceptive mood. That does happen. I don't know though. Pike seemed to be acting very 'un-Pike' like in the first few chapters, so we'll see what I think when I come back to it.Charles R. Rutledgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265387377510655973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2856065630155928814.post-91106131166592453442011-02-28T10:39:41.018-08:002011-02-28T10:39:41.018-08:00Excellent review (as expected), Rachel! Walter Mos...Excellent review (as expected), Rachel! Walter Mosley remains one of those writers that makes you sit up and concentrate on what he puts down on the page. It's unexpected but nonetheless interesting, even if the characters are challenging the reader's expectations. But then again, it purposeful. Easy Rawlins is one unique character -- like Ken Bruen's Jack Taylor, he can be exasperating at times. But as you say, he "gets under your skin", and they are both marvelous, vexing creations. The reader (at least this one) can't help but want to revisit them. So, too, is the community the author weaves together (and apart).<br /><br />Still, you bring a good point about Daphne here. I think the title more aptly captures her in the book than in the film adaptation. She is more devil-like and less sympathetic on the page compared to her film counterpart (something the film director changed, but to be discussed over here). The character of Mouse is something, isn't it? But, ultimately I think he makes Easy a more interesting, conflicted character as you move through the series.<br /><br />And I think you're on to something regarding the point where the protag (and especially the P.I.) is required to jump in bed with an attractive woman. Thanks so much for giving this book a try, Rachel.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com