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In Memoriam
Lively Literary Light Goes Out
Spenser creator dies with his boots on.
There was some very good news for conservatives out of Massachusetts this week. And some very bad news for fans of crime fiction of all philosophies out of the same state.
When my New England sources told me of a formation of pigs spotted over Ipswich Monday, I knew Scott Brown’s chances were good. I greatly enjoyed the Pigs Fly party Tuesday night at a local watering hole put on by the Tampa Downtown Republican Club, a group of hearty patriots whose joy knew no bounds election night, though I fear several of them had trouble making a fist Wednesday morning. (There were so many things to toast that night that many of the members were themselves nearly toast before it was all put through.)
My own powers were somewhat under a cloud Wednesday a.m. when I read the sad news of the death in Cambridge of Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser series of P.I. novels as well as the Jesse Stone novels (yes, the ones from which some pretty good movies starring Tom Selleck as Stone were made). Parker was 77 and died suddenly of a heart attack while writing at his desk. His many fans, which include me, can take some solace in that there’s hardly a better way for a writer to go out. He died with his boots on. (OK, Parker’s taste probably ran to loafers, but you know what I mean.)
Parker resurrected and modernized the literary private-eye tradition made popular in the years just before and just after World War II by such as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Ross MacDonald when he muscled his way onto the stage with The Godwulf Manuscript in 1973. Readers – there’ve been plenty over the years as Parker’s books have sold tens of millions of copies – quickly learned that the tough but literate and funny Spenser (no first name is ever given) was a private-eye with a difference.
Hammett’s Sam Spade, Chandler’s Philip Marlowe, and MacDonald’s Lew Archer were said to be of the “hard-boiled” tradition, cynical and damaged loners who worked the mean streets of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Spenser is more over-easy.
Parker’s Boston detective is a worthy successor. He’s as complex and as tough as those earlier guys. In fact he’s an ex-boxer who once fought Jersey Joe Walcott. He’s street smart and has no illusions about the world he lives and works in. But unlike with Spade et al., there’s no world-weariness with Spenser, no angst. While Spenser’s work carries us into the world’s darkness, the darkness never overpowers us. The Spenser stories are not noir.
Spenser can beat up bad guys or even engage in gunplay when needed, though he leaves most of the shooting to his dodgy but lethal sidekick Hawk, one of the most charming thugs in all of literature. And he can wisecrack with the best of them (with Spenser, unlike with many other fictional private-eyes, the wisecracks are actually funny). But he also knows how to have a good time.
Spenser knows food and music and reads. He has a regular sweetie-pie (named Susan, who, it must be said in all fairness, can be irritating and way too precious sometimes) to whom he is faithful, and lots of friends. You could have a beer or watch a Red Sox game with Spenser (both Spenser and his creator are baseball savvy) without becoming depressed, as you almost certainly would if you tried the same thing with Philip Marlowe.
Parker’s work is genre fare. But crime fiction, usually the biggest section in your local bookstore, is today’s novel of manners. At its best it shows us how we live, and can even hint at how we should live. In crisp, lean, insistent, first-person prose that never lets a story lag, Parker deals intelligently with such matters as integrity, personal responsibility, courage, autonomy, fidelity, friendship, the place and meaning of work in our lives, and what it means to be a man or a woman in our post-everything world. There’s a good deal more in Spenser than just the plot.
Mostly apolitical, Spenser takes women, even aggressive feminists, seriously, but has contempt for excesses of any movement and for bad behavior. In a description of the toney restaurant where he meets his client in Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980), Spenser says, “Downstairs is a room which used to be the Men’s Bar until it was liberated one lunchtime by a group of humorless women who got into a shouting match with a priest.”
In a line from Promised Land Spenser shows his conservative bona fides, though he may not have fancied the label. He says, “I’m sick of movements. I’m sick of people who think a new movement will take care of everything. I’m sick of people who put the cause ahead of the person.”
In Promised Land (1976) Spenser nails people who’ve been consumed with ideology or with a cause. “Zealots were always hard. Zeal distorts them. Makes the normal impulses convolute. Makes people fearless and greedless and loveless and finally monstrous.”
Just so. Spenser gets it. He’s neither right-wing nor left-wing; he’s the entire bird.
Some of the funniest scenes of any Spenser novel are where Spenser first interviews his potential clients. In Rachel Wallace Spenser is hired by a publisher to protect a radical feminist writer who’s receiving death threats. In the interview the publisher says that while the writer wants protection she’s against muscle and machismo and any form of thuggish behavior. It draws this from Spenser: “What you want, Mr. Ticknor, is someone feisty enough to get in the line of someone else’s fire, and tough enough to get away with it. And you want him to look like Winnie the Pooh and act like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. I’m not sure Rebecca’s even got a gun permit.”
Parker was an academic, sort of. At least he finished a Ph.D. in literature when he was almost 40 for the express purpose of getting a job as a college professor and therefore having plenty of time to write. Parker is scathing in his treatment of academe in his novels, several of which have university connections. His professors are conspicuous in their pomposity, shallowness, and affectation, curiously unhappy in their soft touch of a job.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (58) | Leave a comment
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IMKessel| 1.22.10 @ 7:59AM
Parker was truly an American voice. His protagonists were neither cynics nor idealists: they were true realists. They lived in imperfect worlds with imperfect people, but they created their meaning and happiness.
Spenser was – no is -- the echo remains after the speaker fades to black – one the most nuanced characters ever put on the page (and screen). He was never fearless (only fools are), but he courageously, with eyes wide open, faced his challenges and demons. Sunny Randal and Jesse Stone were more damaged than Spenser, but they too bravely pursue their best selves. The myriad of other character that populated Parker’s world are studies in the human condition. (Parker was becoming rather Heileinesque in latest (now, sadly, last) novels: his Jesse Stone and Sunny Randal were geographically close to Spenser’s Boston and Parker had characters from all three series interacting. The logical nexus was the three protagonists to come together, and that would have been a party to remember.) Both Spenser and his creator will be sorely missed.
“Parting is such sweet sorrow…” Robert Parker has left readers a wonderful oeuvre that will captivate and inspire, and now he has moved on to his big sleep.
alice Moore| 1.22.10 @ 8:14AM
I always think 3 great characters by the same beloved author sounds like a wonderful party..on paper. I've seen a recent attempt with Michael Connelly's main characters of Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller. It seemed like too many cooks or Indian chiefs. Now, a cameo in a novel works. Sunny Randall and Jesse Stone had many cameos of Dr. Susan Silverman(not my favorite character). It's sort of like an Easter egg.
Robert Parker will be missed by many. He left us a gift of many quality works.
alice Moore| 1.22.10 @ 8:05AM
Robert Parker will be missed by many. I have had many hours of reading enjoyment.
Torq| 1.22.10 @ 8:12AM
Having religiously read every Parker novel I could lay my hands on - I have to admit that I longer for the day that Spenser hauled back and slugged Susan in the mouth - and took up with a couple of the babes that threw themselves at him in every novel. Hawk was a MUCH better character. He NEVER took ANY BS from anyone, I kept wondering when I was going to tell Spence to 'man-up' and ditch the Cambridge effeteness.
S.L. Toddard| 1.22.10 @ 8:56AM
RIP Robert Parker. Despite being a lifelong Bay Stater, I'd never read any of his Spencer novels, but his westerns (Appaloosa et al) are absolutely excellent - pure, brilliant Americana.
astorian| 1.22.10 @ 11:17AM
I always enjoyed the witty dialogue in the Spenser novels, but Parker's plots were implausible and his politics were always explicitly left-wing.
Don't believe me? Who are the terrorists in "The Judas Goat"? Arabs? Communists? No, they're white colonialists from Africa who are trying to kill black atheletes at the 1976 Montreal Olympics!
Who are the villains of "A Catskill Eagle"? Why, a billionaire arms dealer, of course!
In "Looking for Rachel Wallace," Spenser has to rescue a lesbian radical from some evil, intolerant religious conservatives!
Again, the books were often good fun. hardly enybody could write snappy dialogue better than Parker. But his politics were all too clear, and he'd have been heartbroken that Massachusetts rejected Coakley.
Larry Thornberry | 1.22.10 @ 12:35PM
I didn't keep ideoloigcal score throughout the books. And RBP may have voted for La Coakley had he been available Tuesday. But to be fair, the bad guys in "Now and Then" (2007) are left-wingers, as were most of the ridiculous student mopes in "Godwulf "(1973). And Spenser has from time to time had fun over 37 novels at the expense of extreme enviros, vegetarians, extreme feminists, academics, man-haters, activists for this or that, anti-smoking nuts, and other wholly-owned subsidiaries of the cultural left. Add to this his championing of the manly virtues, his desense of the individual over the sytem, and it's hard for me to conlcude that Spenser or Parker are "explicity left-wing." There's no room in any workers' paradise for a free-wheeling, testosterone-besotted, free-spirited knight errant like Spenser.
You're certainly right about the plotting. Plotting wasn't Parker's strong suit, as he was the first to admit. But Parker's novels aren't tradtiional mysteries. They aren't read to see who done it. Readers go back to Parker book afer book to watch his engaging characters engaging the world, including the witty dialogue.
astorian| 1.22.10 @ 3:30PM
In any event, I can forgive the clunkiness of "Catskill Eagle" just for the way Spenser chooses to get himself arrested: by urinating publicly while yelling out the names of the 1967 Red Sox.
bob alou| 1.22.10 @ 3:30PM
I agree with your comments. I read the Spenser novels because of the snappy dialogue. The only one who does it as well, or better, is John Sanford.
Lars Walker | 1.22.10 @ 11:20AM
After being a Parker fan for many years, I reluctantly dropped him a few years back. I felt that he'd allowed Susan Silverman to emasculate Parker (in terms of their relationship only; she exploited his chivalry and male guilt), and when he quoted Steinem's fish and bicycle line in one novel without irony, I'd had enough.
But I was very sorry about it. Parker was a tremendous writer.
Oldefarte| 1.22.10 @ 11:32AM
Larry, great article, and thanks. I've read many [not all] of Parker's [Spencer series] with delight. I'll never forget the scene in one where Hawk is relating to Susan about Spencer confronting and throwing a thug out of a window on the second floor of a rooming house; and Susan asks AN OPEN WINDOW, and Hawk replies NO!!!!
Alan Brooks| 1.22.10 @ 1:03PM
epitaph:
"He Died With His Loafers On"
I like true crime books; nonfiction is so much more unbelievable than fiction.
Paul Revere| 1.23.10 @ 4:50PM
You're an idiot. Stay off of this website, you adolescent, jaded-for-the-sake-of-being-jaded magpie.
Alan Brooks| 1.23.10 @ 10:17PM
"...you adolescent..."
With a silly (and not implausibly conceited) handle such as Paul Revere you DARE to say this? You can't do better than that?
Alan Brooks| 1.23.10 @ 10:20PM
... or wait, perhaps Paul Revere is your real name? Then your parents or guardians were conceited.
Bilwick| 1.22.10 @ 3:56PM
No doubt Parker was what he call a "liberal" these days, but he wasn't obnoxious about it. I don't mind rich guys being the bad guys mainly because rich guys make better villains, usually. For one thing, they can afford henchmen, and the good guy needs henchmen to beat up and shoot. Re the "manly virtues," see Parker's westerns: his Wyatt Earp novel GUNMAN"S RHAPSODYm and his Cole & Hitch trilogy, which starts with APPALOOSA.
Charles Collins | 1.22.10 @ 4:21PM
I always saw Parker as the ultimate "working writer". I remember when Spenser for Hire was on the air. It was always somewhat mediocre, and did not do justice to the books. But Parker supported, and even wrote for it. When asked why, he simply said "I get paid every time it goes on air. I want it to stay on air, no matter how bad it is." He understood the bottom line.
gearjammer| 1.22.10 @ 4:46PM
Spenser was self employed and like dogs. I bet he cheated a bit on his taxes, found a way to write off all those expensive meals, and if some enviro nut told him he needed to put down his dog for the sake of the planet old Spenser would have seen red not green. He was always helping out hookers and the ladies were often described as quite gorgeous. They often threw them selves at he but he always went home to momma. Same with rich high society dames who always craved he'd use them for target practice with his revolver. But, he always went home to Susan. She was not my idea of a dream girl, but love is blind. All of his characters, the ones he liked loved, Susan, Hawk were all just so superior to everyone else-this was a bit off putting. Sometimes I flipped his books aside muttering same old same old, but his stuff was not a waste of money. I'd bet he was a decent guy and charitable. He made it clear Hawk was in another zone, a stone cold killer, somebody who would perform an assassination, but only if it was justified in some weird moral code he and Spenser shared. I don't think old Spenser would pee his pants over having to water board some scumbag if it meant rescuing his main squeeze or some worthy client. Ya kinda wish he'd have addressed that issue before he tapped his last key. All said and done he was quite a guy.
Alan Brooks| 1.22.10 @ 5:24PM
"She was not my idea of a dream girl."
Susan couldn't very well remain a High School doll all her life, could she?
Pingback| 1.22.10 @ 6:40PM
The American Spectator : Lively Literary Light Goes Out | Drakz Free Online Service links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
George True| 1.22.10 @ 8:31PM
RIP, Robert B. Parker. You have given me many hours of pure reading enjoyment. His Spenser novels were among the very best private detective novels of all time. (I am also a huge fan of the Matthew Scudder series by Lawrence Block.)
The wit and repartee between Spenser and Hawk was just so well done. I am reminded of one novel (the title escapes me) where Hawk actually comes up with the new client and then enlists Spenser's help. The case is pro bono, the client is a neighborhood association, and the task is to expell a violent gang from the neighborhood. When Spenser asks Hawk how much they are getting paid, Hawk patiently explains that he has shrewdly negotiated the extravagent sum of nothing, and has generously decided to split it with Spencer. After digesting this bit of information for a moment, Spenser quietly asks Hawk if they have any backup in going up against the gang. To which Hawk replies, Sure. I got you and you got me".
Unlike some of the posters here, I liked Susan. What happened to Spenser over the years as his relationship with Susan deepened and matured is the same thing that eventually happens to every one of us who have made the commitment to one woman - he got civilized. It is the way of things in the real world, and that is what Parker brought to his novels. I will miss him.
Bruce | 1.22.10 @ 10:59PM
Mr. Parker was one of the very few writers - along with WEB Griffin and Brad Thor - whose latest books I awaited with great anticipation. True - Parker's writing was not Shakesperean - but it was highly enjoyable, at least to me. I have all of his books in my library and eagerly awaited the publishing of his next - due in April. I care not for his politics - I enjoyed his writing style and his characters. I will miss him.
RIP, Mr. Parker.
Pingback| 1.23.10 @ 3:53AM
Led Wedge Light Panel Book Paperback Night Reading Lamp | Largestore Blog links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.23.10 @ 4:32AM
The American Spectator : Lively Literary Light Goes Out | ReadersRegion.Com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Karl | 1.23.10 @ 2:45PM
Larry Thornberry,
Thank you for this Memoriam for one of my favorite fiction writer, Robert B. Parker (MHRIP). I was very saddened by learning of his death (while working, no less) and sad, too, for his loss to Parker's family.
One of my favorite RBP stories is 'Potshot', and the audio book is the best for listening to while on a road trip. Unlike many authors, Parker is great with the witty dialog and he is pretty good with getting the gun-related things mostly right--unusual for most writers. 'Potshot' brings together so many different characters from many of Parker's other Spenser novels and is just a delight to hear, when read by Joe Mantegna. Lots of laugh out loud at the sharp dialogs thoughout this story, like all the others.
I shall miss Robert B. Parker's stories; I have always been eager for each new one that he published, regardless of the type of story (western, Stone, Spenser, Randall and others).
Best wishes for his family.
www.NoPoliticalLemmings.com
GranTom| 1.24.10 @ 9:18AM
Parker's Spenser was great with dialog and character but not so much with the actual stories. Some of them made no sense whatever. Robt Urich was just perfect in the TV series. When Mantagna tried to reprise the role it was a joke. Can you image that little punk as a boxer?
I very much like Jesse Stone and Tom Selleck in that role even if it gets pretty pc at times.
We'll miss him.
Terry| 1.24.10 @ 9:50AM
Parker's brilliance was the concise chapter or line. Neither liberalism nor conservatism dominated his works. Every character was not written as a whole person, but the stories moved well and there was a laugh from time to time. Parker was always good for a quick read. I doubt he ever intended to be the twentieth century version of Charles Dickens or even Voltaire. Speaking for myself, I didn't want or need one. It was fun while it lasted.
Northern Rebel| 1.24.10 @ 2:42PM
I read everything the man wrote, and love
Jesse Stone, in particular.
Something Toddard and I can agree on:
his westerns were awesome, and highly underrated.
Louis L'Amour (SP?) is more well known for the genre, but Parker was better.
R.I.P. Mr Parker. Rest well, knowing you have now become immortal, something every human dreams of achieving.
work bag | 1.25.10 @ 12:43AM
I love this article, very cool.
W. L. Ripley| 1.25.10 @ 10:58AM
Robert B. Parker was a wonderful gentleman and a good friend to his fellow writers. He had a great sense of humor, even in his letters. I will miss him.
holmegm | 1.25.10 @ 2:08PM
I'm a conservative who used to share the disdain for psychotherapy ... the fact is, though, that psychotherapists can be positively bad-a@@ at letting you own your own problems and encouraging you to let others own their own problems.
Which is not incompatible with conservatism.
This aspect actually makes me want to check out the Parker novels even more :)
Jobe| 1.25.10 @ 2:52PM
I have read every Spenser novel at least twice, and many four or five times. I continue to find new truths in them. I have read several of the Stone and Randall novels and found them to be less captivating than the Spensers. I would say that the repartee, the character of Hawk, and several of the ancillary characters (especially the clients) are so well defined that I could swear that I have met them.
Parker left a body of work that rose above genre, actually approaching the level of what the East Coast eggheads might call "literature". I will miss him dearly.
Wallace Spenser| 4.6.10 @ 4:11AM
In Rachel Wallace Spenser is hired by a publisher to protect a radical feminist writer who's receiving death threats. DVD To Walkman
Best DVD Burner
Yamaha Fairings| 11.12.10 @ 3:40AM
Sometimes I flipped his books aside muttering same old same old, but his stuff was not a waste of money
Suzuki Fairings | 11.12.10 @ 3:41AM
But unlike with Spade et al., there's no world-weariness with Spenser, no angst.
Converse | 8.11.11 @ 10:42PM
is good