“The office of the university president looked like the front parlor of a successful Victorian whorehouse.” That’s the first line of Robert B. Parker’s The Godwulf Manuscript, the first of many Parker novels I read. I believe The Godwulf Manuscript, God Save the Child, and Mortal Stakes rank with the best work Hammett and Chandler wrote. Like you, I was stunned by the news that Robert B. Parker died so suddenly. It’s a sad day.
Like Bill Crider, I got the book club edition of GODWULF when it first came out. Unlike him I no longer have my copy, and I quit reading Spenser after a dozen books. But those early ones were great.
I found a First Edition of THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT years ago. With Art Scott as my agent, the book went to Bruce Taylor (who still owned his bookstore) and Art and I split a nice profit. Of course, THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT is probably worth 10 times that amount now, Jeff.
This is the same one I started with, George, and it was a good one. It led me to more of the Spencer books and I continued to read them until, I think it was, PASTIME. By then they had – my opinion, of course – a sameness and thinness of plot and page count that led me to quit the series. At the time there was a good deal of talk that Parker was “mailing it in”, not trying very hard, just cranking out new books and acting like a big shot.
It turns out he was a big shot, but there are several weak books in the series, and I never warmed to his other series or stand alone novels. All that said, I’m sorry to hear of his passing.
BTW, this isn’t the cover I have on my paperback. Is it the hardcover?
Actually, this is the cover of the e-book version of THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT, Rick. I admire Parker’s work ethic. He pumped out a couple books every year. That’s impressive.
I did have a couple of the early firsts, if only I’d been smart enough to keep them.
I think I have a First Edition of MORTAL STAKES, maybe Parker’s best Spenser, Jeff.
Isn’t it sad that we all say “the early ones were great.” And it is true. Why? Did he start writing too many books? Did he only have a couple good plots in him? Did he stay at the fair too long with Spenser?
In the past year or so, we’ve lost Ed McBain, Donald Westlake, and now Parker, Patti. A whole generation of great crime writers are leaving the stage. Over a thirty-year career, it’s hard to keep the energy and quality high. I think Parker peaked early, then plateaued for the next 25 years. I respect Parker’s productivity and his dedication to genre fiction, both mysteries and westerns.
Patti, I think the reason his books lost quality was his change of perspective as a writer. He became successful, recognized, best selling. Success can be a cruel master sometimes.
You’re right, Rick. Most artists produce their best work BEFORE they become famous.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read this book. At least five, because I’ve started over at least that many times to read the “whole” series, which consisted of several more titles on each round. I’ve also listened to the audio book at least three times over the years. I’ll be reading it (and listening) again, but with slightly less joy.
Great comment, Evan! From the first line of THE GODWULF MANUSCRIPT you know you’re in for something special.