As I live on in the 21st-century, I'm finding less pleasure in everyday life, except for the novels by Jean-Patrick Manchette (1942-1995). "No Room atAs I live on in the 21st-century, I'm finding less pleasure in everyday life, except for the novels by Jean-Patrick Manchette (1942-1995). "No Room at the Morgue" is unusual (so far) compared to his other narratives because the main character is a private detective. Like a classic crime-noir novel, there are colorful characters in an iconic city, that's Paris. The placement of a crime novel is always using the location as if it's another character. I often wish that their fiction section is organized in a bookstore in what city the story takes place. If I want to read a Parisian story, I go to the Paris section of the store.
Manchette is one of the great crime writers, and what gives him that edge is that his world is very much part of the May '68 world or rebellion and the failure of that movement. Usually, in classic detective novels, there is the background of war or an economic downturn that fuels the narrative in some form or method. Manchette is no different in using contemporary (at then) life, and making it very much part of the world of the characters, and how they operate in such a manner.
Harold A. Rodman's afterword is a dessert after a delicious main meal, the novel itself. Once again, the New York Review of Books has put together a masterful package.
Merged review:
As I live on in the 21st-century, I'm finding less pleasure in everyday life, except for the novels by Jean-Patrick Manchette (1942-1995). "No Room at the Morgue" is unusual (so far) compared to his other narratives because the main character is a private detective. Like a classic crime-noir novel, there are colorful characters in an iconic city, that's Paris. The placement of a crime novel is always using the location as if it's another character. I often wish that their fiction section is organized in a bookstore in what city the story takes place. If I want to read a Parisian story, I go to the Paris section of the store.
Manchette is one of the great crime writers, and what gives him that edge is that his world is very much part of the May '68 world or rebellion and the failure of that movement. Usually, in classic detective novels, there is the background of war or an economic downturn that fuels the narrative in some form or method. Manchette is no different in using contemporary (at then) life, and making it very much part of the world of the characters, and how they operate in such a manner.
Harold A. Rodman's afterword is a dessert after a delicious main meal, the novel itself. Once again, the New York Review of Books has put together a masterful package....more
For some odd reason, this book was very difficult for me to read. It is both a philosophical and humoristic work, but where does the humor start or enFor some odd reason, this book was very difficult for me to read. It is both a philosophical and humoristic work, but where does the humor start or end, and the philosophy? The one thing I learned while reading this book, which was a coincidence, is that the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan is named after Thomas. Now, that I find fascinating! In a few years, I will re-read this book.
The four stars are for the first story in this volume, "Festival." I think a lot of people can relate to the narrative. The second story, "Game of theThe four stars are for the first story in this volume, "Festival." I think a lot of people can relate to the narrative. The second story, "Game of the Worlds," is not that interesting to me. The writing of course, is on a superb level. ...more
This is my first Le Carré, which works perfectly because "Call for the Dead" was his first novel. It is also the first George Smiley. I don't think onThis is my first Le Carré, which works perfectly because "Call for the Dead" was his first novel. It is also the first George Smiley. I don't think one has to read the other Smiley books in order, but I plan to follow the system and read them in order. There may be an "Ah-ha" moment or two, and catching it as one reads on would be fun. As most people know, this is not James Bond type of spy, but more of the kind where you go to the local pub to pick up information about so-so, why they did so-so, and so on. This book is of interest because it deals with how people change over time, and for the Spy world, that can be a significant issue. ...more
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