Robert B. Parker died yesterday. He wrote the Spenser books and I feel like I've lost a member of the family. Mom loved the Spenser books, Kathy likes them and I'm not sure about anyone else but it was one of those things that we all had in common as kind of a secret treat. A new Spenser book!
There was a Spenser TV show for a while and it wasn't too bad--Robert Urich was the lead (dead also--sensing a pattern here). Parker had another character Jesse Stone and that also made for some decent TV watching with Tom Selleck in the lead (easy on the eyes).
The Spenser stories take place in Boston and nearby so I always felt like I knew the area well. His prose was succinct with just a hint of humor at life's inconsistencies. I never gave his books away--and I"m really glad for that now because maybe I will re-read them.
I thought I had an autographed copy from once when I heard him speak so I went down to see if I could find it. As I went through them, I realized that over the years, the books have gone from pleasingly thin to satisyfyingly fat. Must be his prose isn't as succinct as I remember it. Or Spenser's life stories got more complicated.
Alot like life in general. Once again, going from thin to not-so-much; from short and simple to complicated. But I miss him already especially because it was something I shared with Mom.
Good luck to Timmy--we are thinking about him. Happy 30th Kevin! Cheers to Spenser, Susan and Hawk.
1 comment:
I very much understand your loss, and I'm sorry. It is true that the links we have to those who have passed are important to us. I went shopping last night and saw some fun St. Patrick's day decorations and immediately thought of Mary Jane. She loved St. Patrick's Day , and Halloween as I recall.
Lucky for me those are things that will never go away. I remember Mom loving Robert B. Parker. That may be the only author I remember her enjoying. I know she really loved reading, but I didn't read much back then so I didn't pay as much attention. I know you two shared your love of books, therefore shared favorite authors.
I like to read now. Much more than when I was younger. Now I can pick up my first Robert B. Parker book and enjoy it for even more reasons.
Sorry for your loss, greatful for my new chance.
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