This week, the world marked the passing of mystery master, Robert B. Parker. Readers and writers everywhere mourn his loss. Including me.A writer to the end, the 77 year-old Parker reportedly wrote five pages a day, six days a week. And reports say he died at his desk working on those pages. Which seems right for a writer, in a world where so much is wrong.
You might know Parker's work through the Jesse Stone, made-for-TV movies starring Tom Selleck. Or you might recall Spenser for Hire, which aired on ABC decades ago. Maybe you're a fan of its spin-off, A Man Called Hawk. But if you're like me, you're a fan of the novels that gave rise to these shows. And of the man who wrote them.
Parker is said to have viewed the hard-boiled detective as the modern knight of chivalric tradition. Nowhere does he prove this point better than in his Spenser novels. Behind the classic structure, the spare sentences, the sharp characterizations, and the all-out action scenes, Parker's heroes - and heroines - hold true to honor, love, and justice.
Consequently, many consider Parker the heir apparent to Raymond Chandler. The Chandler estate even selected him to complete Chandler's unfinished work. It's called Poodle Springs. A first edition holds pride of place on my bookshelf. Parker went on to write a sequel to my favorite Chandler novel, The Big Sleep. He called it Perchance to Dream.
In my opinion, Parker's Spenser novel Potshot is a thoughtful tribute to that other noir icon, Dashiell Hammett and his Red Harvest. Like Hammett's hero, Spenser's mission is to clean up a corrupt town. But Parker redeems his hero in a way Hammett couldn't. The darkness always drags Hammett's heroes down. Spenser, however, always rises above. With a little help from his friends, of course. Which begs the question: which novel is a reflection of the world we live in? For my part, I hope we're living in Spenser's world.
From Spenser and Hawk to Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone, Parker reinvented the detective hero time and again. I'll miss those heroes. And I'll miss the man who created them. We'll have one more chance to savor his work, though. Parker's final Jesse Stone novel is slated for release later this year.
Until then, and long after, I'll wonder about those pages, spread across the desk as Robert Parker slipped away from us. Who will be tapped, as he was for Chandler, to polish off that work-in-progress? Mostly, though, I wonder who can?
You might know Parker's work through the Jesse Stone, made-for-TV movies starring Tom Selleck. Or you might recall Spenser for Hire, which aired on ABC decades ago. Maybe you're a fan of its spin-off, A Man Called Hawk. But if you're like me, you're a fan of the novels that gave rise to these shows. And of the man who wrote them.
Parker is said to have viewed the hard-boiled detective as the modern knight of chivalric tradition. Nowhere does he prove this point better than in his Spenser novels. Behind the classic structure, the spare sentences, the sharp characterizations, and the all-out action scenes, Parker's heroes - and heroines - hold true to honor, love, and justice.
Consequently, many consider Parker the heir apparent to Raymond Chandler. The Chandler estate even selected him to complete Chandler's unfinished work. It's called Poodle Springs. A first edition holds pride of place on my bookshelf. Parker went on to write a sequel to my favorite Chandler novel, The Big Sleep. He called it Perchance to Dream.
In my opinion, Parker's Spenser novel Potshot is a thoughtful tribute to that other noir icon, Dashiell Hammett and his Red Harvest. Like Hammett's hero, Spenser's mission is to clean up a corrupt town. But Parker redeems his hero in a way Hammett couldn't. The darkness always drags Hammett's heroes down. Spenser, however, always rises above. With a little help from his friends, of course. Which begs the question: which novel is a reflection of the world we live in? For my part, I hope we're living in Spenser's world.
From Spenser and Hawk to Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone, Parker reinvented the detective hero time and again. I'll miss those heroes. And I'll miss the man who created them. We'll have one more chance to savor his work, though. Parker's final Jesse Stone novel is slated for release later this year.
Until then, and long after, I'll wonder about those pages, spread across the desk as Robert Parker slipped away from us. Who will be tapped, as he was for Chandler, to polish off that work-in-progress? Mostly, though, I wonder who can?
What a terrific tribute. I'm not as familiar with Parker as I am with Hammett (I'm a total geek for early 29th century writers), but you are right that the hard boiled PI stories which were so often the basis of film noir have been slowly adapting with the times and with their audience. Readers want their heroes to have hope, to be redeemable.
ReplyDeleteI loved the image of Parker dying at his desk, doing what he loved best. May we all be so lucky. Thanks for sharing this!
Nichole -- I must admit to not having read Parker, but I do like the image of passing away at my desk, doing the work. Seems an honorable way for a writer to go.
ReplyDeleteOh, Nichole, great post. I loved every one of his books. He really was the master and will be sorely missed but what a legacy he left us. I learned and enjoyed. Thank you, Robert Parker.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you, ladies!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment, Amy. I'm with you... I love the noir heroes that are drawn to the light side!
Yvonne, I'm so glad you stopped by. I agree - Parker's passing was very honorable. Just like Spenser.
Bevp, thanks for visiting. I'm grateful Parker's legacy is in print. That way, we can visit his worlds again and again.
A great tribute to a great author. Thanks, Nichole.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautifully written tribute. I read a lot of Parker back when I was a mystery junkie, but it's been awhile. I've noticed his books flying off the shelves of the library, so I think it's time for a revisit.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anonymous. And thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteKarenlibrarian - so interesting Parker's books are leaping from the shelves. As a writer, I can't think of a greater tribute than having your work read again and again, even after you're gone. Thanks for sharing.
Loved Parker! I was introduced to him through his "Spenser" character. Such good books. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Mary.
ReplyDeleteSpenser was my introduction to Parker, too, thanks to my friend Keri. Between Spenser, Sunny Randall, and Jesse Stone, I can't pick a favorite!
Nicole ~ What a lovely tribute. I've read Parker's Jesse Stone novels and love his characters. The fast-paced, dialogue-driven Stone novels make for a quick read. And I adore the tormented hero/detective. :) I haven't read the Spencer novels, but will pick one up. Thanks for your insights.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Candy.
ReplyDeleteIf you love Jesse Stone, you might give Sunny Randall a try. In many ways, she's Stone's mirror image - which has gotten both of them into trouble more than once. ;)
I will try her on to see if she's as good a fit as Jesse Stone. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
ReplyDelete