Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)

Subject: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Becca72
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

Just read on Yahoo news that Robert B. Parker passed away suddenly yesterday. I'm shocked. He is one of my favorite authors.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 06:19 PM

http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/148272/

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/01/mystery_novelis.html


I had "read" several of his books (by listening to books on disc)
and found them fascinating -- his last book is going to be available soon--A new Jesse Stone novel, "Split Image," is scheduled to come out next month.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 06:20 PM

Damn good story teller. He enlarged the genre.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Midchuck
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 07:07 PM

Just about the only writer outside of the science-fiction/fantasy genre whose entire output I read as a matter of course.

Luckily, although he wrote a lot of books, they were fast reads.

I especially liked the westerns he was turning out toward the end.

Peter

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 07:20 PM

Too bad, I always liked finding his newest book on the shelf at the library.


Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:34 PM

westerns? now i am curious...
In looking for more info about these titles i found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Parker

Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch westerns

   1. Appaloosa (2005) ISBN 0-425-20432-4
   2. Resolution (2008) ISBN 0-399-15504-X
   3. Brimstone (2009) ISBN 0399155716

Note that there is another Robert B. Parker (1905-55) who also
wrote mystery novels. this could be confusing....

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: GUEST,WYS-out
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:40 PM

Spenser series author?

~S~

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 09:58 PM

Yup. Sorry to hear about that. I'm not suprised to hear it was his heart. He was a bit on the stout side. I've read a lot of his books - perfect for plane trips.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:03 PM

I think his material will eventually make it into the realm of literary fiction. It was far better than the average mystery novel.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: GUEST,Becca72 sans cookie
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:07 PM

one of very few writers who could make me literally laugh out loud

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: EBarnacle
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:28 PM

It's starting already...too soon. Who will take over his wine rating service.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 10:30 PM

Wine rating? I remember him as drinking beer. He sold me on Rolling Rock.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: ranger1
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 11:22 PM

Sigh. One of my favorite authors of all time. I discovered the Spenser novels when I was in high school and was hooked for life.

Subject: RE: Obit: Robert B. Parker
From: GUEST,wys
Date: 19 Jan 10 - 11:44 PM

Well, he taught me how to cook. The Spenser stuff had gotten pretty formulaic, but still, I'd hoped for more, and BTW weight does NOT correlate to heart attacks as a cause, and he was a VERY cool guy in any case and in any shape.

Damn, RIP dude.

~S~

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 03:34 AM

why does the thread title now read "actor" he was an AUTHOR.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Micca
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 04:24 AM

I enjoyed his books very much and am saddened by his passing, I started reading him along long time ago when a friend read aloud a short bit from the book they were reading at the time that made them laugh,(It made me laugh too) I was thus inspired to borrow the book to read it on the long tube journey home that day .The Phrase that made me laugh?
Spenser was trying to interfere with Susans cooking efforts and she suggested that he "take a flying f*** at a rolling doughnut"

RIP Mr Parker you were a gem

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Becca72
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 09:24 AM

Yes, as open mike pointed out whichever mudelf changed the thread title Mr. Parker was an author not an actor.

Subject: RE: Obit:: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 02:17 PM

I see the heading says "Actor Robert B Parker". Did he ever do any acting? Or is this just a mistyping that needs correcting by a clone?

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 03:17 PM

yes, remove the ct and add uth...actor --->>> author

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Riginslinger
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 04:06 PM

I've analyzed his books many times to try to determine why they were so compelling--never did find an answer really. I supose that's part of the mystery. The Spenser books grabbed me more than the others.

Subject: RE: Obit: AUTHOR Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 04:10 PM

Some clones can't read beyond Dick and Jane.

NY Times Book Reviews:
"..... bestselling author Robert B. Parker takes aim at the Old West with this brilliantly crafted follow-up to Resolution and Appaloosa, again featuring guns for hire Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch."

Liked by both critics and readers. He kept several story lines going, take your pick or read them all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Actor Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 05:21 PM

He did have a cameo in a Spenser movie as I recall.I saw him in at least one that I know of.

Subject: RE: Obit: AUTHOR! Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 05:24 PM

REFRESH! Hello out there-

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,PKS
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 12:22 PM

No one wrote dialog as well as Mr. Parker, so many exchanges were lol, whether they were with himself (as Spenser) of Hawk or Susan.
It feels like the loss of a beloved uncle and friend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Becca72
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 01:32 PM

I couldn't agree more, PKS. I'm really bummed out by this one.
I am quite saddened by the fact that after the release of the new book in the spring there will be no more.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: mkebenn
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 04:10 PM

I've loved Spenser since my teens, but I like the stone series also. Haven't read the westerns, but I will. Must they be read in order? Mike

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 04:20 PM

Haven't read the westerns either, but good authors (like Parker) provide enough background so that each novel can stand by itself.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Jan 10 - 05:55 PM

I've analyzed his books many times to try to determine why they were so compelling--never did find an answer really.

Besides writing really excellent dialog and inventing compelling plots, I think that Parker created such compelling page-turners by keeping his chapters short, and ending every one of them with some kind of question or revelaation that made the reader want to read "just one more chapter."

And then one more, and then another, etc., until the sun comes up...

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Riginslinger
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 10:16 AM

I think he was the most entertaining writer I've ever read. He was able to make a lot of social commentary in his books as well, without letting it get in the way of the story.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,susan
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 09:44 PM

God, how I loved his books and especially the relationship between Spenser and Susan. He died doing what he loved, but we will always have his books. my sincere condolances to his wife of fifty plus years, she must be devastated. I'm sure all our thoughts and prayers are with her.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Jan 10 - 11:45 PM

Sad news. I've read all his books. I like the Spenser novels best.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: fat B****rd
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 04:08 PM

Just about my favourite writer. I have many of the Spenser books, right from The Godwulf Manuscript to The Professional. I believe, and hope, that there may be 2 unpublished Spenser books with Mr. Parker's publishers
RIP Robert B.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 05:03 PM

Sad news indeed. I have read all his books, I think....he was a great writer and storyteller with a great deal to say while entertaining the reader.

Rest in Peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Author Robert B. Parker (18 Jan 2010)
From: open mike
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 02:23 PM

i thought i saw a mention of "several more book in the works" in one article...