tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post6151429176202135645..comments2024-03-28T10:31:55.774-07:00Comments on The Passing Tramp: John Updike on Mystery FictionThe Passing Tramphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-14749510447898515662012-03-10T14:01:29.308-08:002012-03-10T14:01:29.308-08:00John, I'll have to look up that anthology. I ...John, I'll have to look up that anthology. I would liek to see the original context of the Updike quotation from Howells.<br /><br />Patrick, I agree, hooray for Updike and Barzun. We should never let anyone to talk the genre down without challenge.<br /><br />Sarah, it's a huge collection of essays! I've read interesting pieces on Scott Fitzgerald. Mark Twain, Frank Baum....The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-83906040329833941912012-03-08T20:15:39.776-08:002012-03-08T20:15:39.776-08:00How odd that Howells who edited an anthology of gh...How odd that Howells who edited an anthology of ghost stories (SHAPES THAT HAUNT THE DUSK) disdained "complicated plots spiced with perils, surprises and suspenses." Seems a bit hypocritical.<br /><br />I enjoyed reading Updike's reminisces of his boyhood reading. His essays are so different from his fiction. Looks like a lot of us dissipated our youth in the pages of detective and crime fiction. I wouldn't trade it for all the peanut butter and raisin sandwiches in the world!J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-56441461300183810552012-03-08T06:58:26.032-08:002012-03-08T06:58:26.032-08:00Curt, a wonderful post. I've never read a John...Curt, a wonderful post. I've never read a John Updike novel, but I was delighted to read a "serious" author who discussed Agatha Christie with not just respect, but also a sort of admiration for her particular skill set and her craft. It almost restores my faith in humanity.<br /><br />As for Jacques Barzun... the man is a true warrior! I just love him! An of course, he gave us the classic retort "Do I look like a couch?"<br /><br />And darn it all, I really need to get that Dirda book. I figure the Kindle price is too high, though. For that kind of money I'd rather just upgrade and get the physical book.<br /><br />Incidentally, my wallet isn't at all happy about my readership of this blog.Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01844617192737950378noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-64485852415536527192012-03-07T22:34:24.183-08:002012-03-07T22:34:24.183-08:00Interesting post. I'm a big fan of John Updike...Interesting post. I'm a big fan of John Updike and read a all his 'Rabbit' books last year. He's right about PD James. I've noticed in her most recent books that she's been moving towards the slim mystery to discussion of her outlook on life with a slight moralising tone. I also like his point about the slim Agatha Christie books. It was the diet of my early crime thriller reading. <br />Are the essays worth a read in general?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com