tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post3707867909066184733..comments2024-03-11T01:39:11.362-04:00Comments on At the Scene of the Crime: Year in Review... Worst Reading Moments of 2011Patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01844617192737950378noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-42594927671429199532012-01-01T23:11:19.988-05:002012-01-01T23:11:19.988-05:00@John
I avoid reading them because I want to read ...@John<br />I avoid reading them because I want to read Vargas in French but I don't want to have the experience ruined as with SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR. However, I guarantee we haven't seen the last of Vargas. She's too intriguing to pass up!<br /><br />@TomCat<br />PuzzleDoctor got this one right, as I explained above. My problem doesn't lie with the book, as I tried explaining in my reasons, and I made sure to emphasize this was not a "worst books" list but worst experiences list.<br /><br />@The Passing Tramp<br />I might agree with you, since I highly enjoyed FAREWELL, MY LOVELY. There's only one reason that book did not make it to my top list in 2011-- the plotting was, I found, very predictable. But still, it made for a great read.<br /><br />@PuzzleDoctor<br />You've hit the nail on the head here in regards to my purpose.<br /><br />@Bill<br />Point taken! :)Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01844617192737950378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-78464151830975977592012-01-01T19:50:29.830-05:002012-01-01T19:50:29.830-05:00I just want to point out that these are NOT the wo...I just want to point out that these are NOT the worst books I've read in 2011, but the worst reading experiences I had. This is why Four Square Press' edition of SWAN SONG is on the list and why Fred Vargas' book is on there as well. It's simply an unacceptable standard and I named the specific edition responsible. I tried to point this out but there's very little wrong with the books-- SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR is a masterfully stlyised book and wonderfully written, and SWAN SONG is a fine mystery. My fury lies solely with the editions I read.<br /><br />Oh, and by the way, I'm back... and the posts I'd timed to appear in my absence apparently did not all make it. I will remedy this. :)Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01844617192737950378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-24956482719910414012011-12-30T17:51:44.492-05:002011-12-30T17:51:44.492-05:00>>>Death is never something to make a jok...>>>Death is never something to make a joke about<<<<br /><br />...unless you're Craig Rice, Stuart Palmer, Lawrence Block, Donald Westlake and so on. But I get your point. <br /><br />Great article and a nice antidote to all those nitwits (including me) holding forth on their best of 2011.Billhttp://traditionalmysteries.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-5526226823786417062011-12-29T09:54:23.314-05:002011-12-29T09:54:23.314-05:00To defend Patrick on Vargas and Swan Song, he does...To defend Patrick on Vargas and Swan Song, he does say these are his worst reading moments of the year, not the worst books. I think I'd do the same - if the editing of a book completely spoiled my enjoyment of it, then I'd consider avoiding anything else from the same editor. I've had similar feelings over some of the translated fiction that I've read - if the translation is annoying, then I'll consider not going back to a series.Puzzle Doctorhttp://classicmystery.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-52907874804291986582011-12-28T17:08:18.520-05:002011-12-28T17:08:18.520-05:00Wow, Patrick doesn't just slay them, he flays ...Wow, Patrick doesn't just slay them, he flays them! ;) I tend yo afree with you on Spillane, Before the Fact and The Long Goodbye. In regard to the latter, I think Chandler is better when he is leaner. Loved Farewell, My Lovely and especially The High Window and The Lady in the Lake. Chandler did have trouble plotting, but he managed rather well in these, I think (The Big Sleep has points, but it feels like two books roughly welded together--the nature of its composition from stories shows too much).The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-51746342097234052192011-12-28T15:40:16.137-05:002011-12-28T15:40:16.137-05:00I have to agree with John's point on the harsh...I have to agree with John's point on the harshness of designating books to this list, simply because a publishers delivered a shoddy reprint of a particular book. I haven't read Fred Vargas, but find it baffling that you dismissed Crispin's <i>Swan Song</i> for the same reasons. Does that book really deserve to be on a worst-off list, rubbing spines with the likes of Adair and Baxt, because a butcher of a publisher did a horrendous job on reprinting edition? <br /><br />However, I agree with every single word you wrote on that abomination hatched by Adair! That book is about as funny as being diagnosed with a malignant tumor on your birthday.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-499247432649483938.post-65276529780432007992011-12-28T11:27:14.650-05:002011-12-28T11:27:14.650-05:00RE: Fred Vargas. I think that wiping off a writer ...RE: Fred Vargas. I think that wiping off a writer from your list simply because of a bad publisher/printer/proofreader who screwed up the content of the book is rather drastic reaction. The fault does not lie with the author at all. I understand how reading a poorly proofed or designed book can ruin the book, though. It's why I don't buy any of the Ramble House books anymore. But never to return because the first book you read was shoddily produced? Harsh. Try finding her books in hardcover from your ever resourceful Ontario libraries. I say you must try THE CHALK CIRCLE MAN (don't know the French title). It's the first Adamsberg book.<br /><br />I have always avoided books on tape (or CD) because they seem like radio plays and many of them are lacking in true radio drama direction. Who was the woman who narrated James' book? You avoid her name. Afraid of a libel suit? ;^) I think in order for those works to be successful they need real actors to do the job. It requires not only oral interpretation but acting. Usually the people who get those jobs are voice over performers (which is not acting at all) whose credits tend to be industrial video narration, radio ads, infomercial presentations, etc.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.com