tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post6344797333486687369..comments2024-03-29T01:33:22.669-07:00Comments on Buddies in the Saddle: Ross Macdonald, Find a Victim (1954)Ron Scheerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15357501069513854664noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-22433861243151600712012-11-10T14:05:50.817-08:002012-11-10T14:05:50.817-08:00The comparison between the traditional western and...The comparison between the traditional western and the Chandler-style private-eye novel has been drawn many times before, of course, the latter sometimes being put forward as the natural successor to the former. In more recent decades several western writers have tried to work it the other way around, injecting something of the noir-ish, hardboiled element into the more historical setting of their stories ... plus, hopefully, a little of the plotting complexity. I've done it myself with the books about Joshua Dillard, an ex-Pinkerton operative working alone in stories like <i>Liberty and a Law Badge, Blast to Oblivion, The Sandhills Shootings</i>, and <i>Faith and a Fast Gun</i>. As a long-time fan of Ross Macdonald's work, <i>Find a Victim</i> is my favorite of the Lew Archer stories. My several-times-read UK paperback edition dates from the earliest years when the author was still being bylined "John Ross Macdonald." It also has cover artwork with the characters in appropriately nineteen-fifties dress! Chap O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04404176810063857291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-81163449989588378132012-11-09T13:37:27.170-08:002012-11-09T13:37:27.170-08:00Ross Macdonald is one of my top two favorite write...Ross Macdonald is one of my top two favorite writers. He can give more description in one sentence than most writers can in a paragraph. True, his stories are similar (a lot of Oedipal suggestions in all his work), but for him it seems to work.<br /><br />Like Charles, the first time I tried to read him was tough. But the more I read, especially those in the middle to end of his career, the better he got. I now read them over and over.<br /><br />His biography is excellent as well. To see such a great artist go down with Alzheimers was heartbreaking. Mike Wilkersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771502395254223219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-32817168447682274392012-11-09T08:56:33.860-08:002012-11-09T08:56:33.860-08:00Ron, its excellent reviews like these that goad me...Ron, its excellent reviews like these that goad me into reading an author I should have read a long time ago, especially since I have a few Ross Macdonald paperbacks in my cabinet though I’m not sure it includes FIND A VICTIM. It’s interesting that you found elements of western genre in this mystery. That opening paragraph must set the tone for the rest of the novel. Many thanks...Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-53116437498956668232012-11-09T08:31:33.758-08:002012-11-09T08:31:33.758-08:00I've read them all and this one sits right acr...I've read them all and this one sits right across the room. Tempting to read it again with California in mind. I will be there in two months!!pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-64858469396936356212012-11-09T08:17:41.230-08:002012-11-09T08:17:41.230-08:00Ross Macdonald for the most part is excellent. I r...Ross Macdonald for the most part is excellent. I recently reread all 18 of the Lew Archer novels and enjoyed them all. One of my favorite crime writers.Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3434602314756730550.post-2422959844828145612012-11-09T06:33:41.268-08:002012-11-09T06:33:41.268-08:00I've only read one Ross MacDonald book. I have...I've only read one Ross MacDonald book. I have several more around. I didn't care that much for the first one I read but I should give another book a chance. It's been many years since that first one.Charles Gramlichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02052592247572253641noreply@blogger.com