I’m re-reading Hush Money book # 26 (of 40) in the Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker. Re-reading the collection in order gives me a fuller experience, a richer appreciation of his writing style, enjoyment of the evolution of Spenser’s relationships with the other continuing characters, and admiration for his rock-solid beliefs about honor, integrity, keeping your word, finishing the job no matter what the cost.
I feel so lucky to be able to dive into his world, letting my concerns fade, fully relaxing, enjoying escaping for awhile. :0)
Who are your favorite authors and why do you love them?
I have told you I’m enjoying re-reading my Robert B. Parker book collection. I’ve finished the Spenser series and the Jesse Stone series, and now I’m re-reading the Sunny Randall series.
I think one of the main characteristics of a great writer is that the reader doesn’t ‘notice’ the writing. You are grabbed from the first sentence and don’t come up for air until the last. If you are distracted by the writing – if you notice flowery phrases or vocabulary, it takes away from the story and the characters.
Robert B. Parker’s writing is so clean. His wit, sarcasm and crisp dialog make me smile, snort, and occasionally laugh aloud. When I finish the Sunny Randall series, there are some other books of his I’ll enjoy again, as well that aren’t part of his ‘main’ series, as such.
When I finish, I will feel a bit sad. I have lots of other books to read, but I’ll have to leave his world until the next time…
I have been an avid reader since I was about 5 years old. My mom started teaching me when I was very young. I had looked around my living room, seeing my dad engrossed in a large book about geology, my mom doing the NY Times Sunday Crossword puzzle, and my brother sitting on the couch devouring a comic book. I got more and more frustrated, finally announcing in a loud voice, “I wish to HELL I could read!” After the shocked and appalled silence, my mom joined me on the floor and began to teach me.
The gift she gave me has only grown. The only time I lost my love for reading was when I was in graduate school, working on my Master’s Degree as a reading specialist. I wanted to share my love for reading and learning, but it’s amazing that anyone could come through that program and still love to read. I studied so hard and long, taking one class each semester and three each summer while teaching full time. I found I had lost the ability to read for pleasure, tensely reading – taking mental notes – as though I would be tested on the material when I finished. After a year or so, I finally gave myself permission to just enjoy – and my love for reading returned.
I finished re-reading the “Spenser” series by Robert B. Parker a couple of days ago. I was a bit sad to finish the last one. The writers who have tried to emulate him and extend the series just don’t capture the flavor for me.
Now I’m re-reading his “Jesse Stone” series. I love the character created here, and it was only enhanced when Tom Selleck was chosen to be Jesse Stone in the movie versions.
I hope a LOT of people are enjoying the work of their favorite authors, plus finding new ones, to help them through these challenging times.
My husband recommended the Robert B Parker books to me years ago. I think I have all he wrote by himself. He wrote a couple with his wife, Joan, and others are trying to add to his legacy, but I have collected only his.
I’m enjoying re-reading my collection. I started with his “Spenser” series on which “Spenser for Hire,” the TV series, was based. I’m reading #24 “Small Vices.” My husband can always tell I’m reading a Parker book because I tend to snort or laugh out loud at his dry sense of humor. His love for sarcasm is right down my alley. He uses no filters – just comes out with the stuff you wish you had the courage to say, but don’t.
I find his Spenser character fascinating because he is so self-contained, doggedly hard-working, determined to get the answers he wants, and has the will to do what he thinks is right, regardless of the consequences. His deep love for Susan melts me into a puddle. It is all pervasive and has no limit. It’s forever – and joyfully. Who could resist that?
There are only 40 in the series by Parker. I’m reveling in the world he created.
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