Herbert, Rosemary
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Plotting the contemporary mystery is a tough discipline--a discipline most authors of mainstream fiction would rather spare themselves--to judge from the few consensual opinions expressed in the 13 long interviews that Herbert (editor-in-chief of the forthcoming Oxford Companion to Crime and Mystery Writing) conducts with writers from P.D. James to Tony Hillerman. The group agrees on little else: Jonathan Gash describes his work as ``self-delighting,'' and Jane Langton and John Mortimer revel in their status as entertainers, but Julian Symons repeats his frequent assertion that mystery fiction is necessarily second-rate, and Patricia Cornwell bristles at being labeled a ``mystery writer'': ``I entertain by not entertaining!'' Herbert's leading questions--about the authors' backgrounds and writing habits; about the importance of place and the sense of mortality; about whether mystery fiction can attain the status of literature--though not especially penetrating (something you'd never know from her typically wide-eyed reaction to James: ``What a profound statement!''), can pay off in unexpected ways, as when Sue Grafton's description of her work habits opens up the general question of the mystery's focus, or when Robert Barnard blithely deflects one Big Question after Another. Most of the other subjects--Reginald Hill, Jeremiah Healy, Catherine Aird, and Barbara Neely--hit Herbert's softballs over the fence too. (Foreword by Antonia Fraser) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Using a common set of questions and methodology, journalist and book reviewer Herbert has interviewed 13 mystery writers. A brief introductory essay and photograph precede each interview, whose subjects include Julian Symons, P.D. James, Robert Barnard, Sue Grafton, Barbara Neely, Tony Hillerman, John Mortimer, Patricia D. Cornwell, Jonathan Gash, Reginald Hill, Jane Langton, Jeremiah Healy, and Catherine Aird. Though the interviews are somewhat cloying in tone, they generally give a good sense of where the writer is coming from and what kind of person he or she is. Mystery fans and prospective mystery writers will find the descriptions of the writers' work habits and settings interesting. Recommended for libraries where mysteries are devoured and where creative writing is supported.
- Denise Johnson, Bradley Univ. Lib., Peoria, Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 7.98
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 3.00
Within U.S.A.
Seller: Solr Books, Skokie, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: VeryGood. Minor wear/discoloration on cover but pages are in great condition!. Seller Inventory # 5D40000090ZS_ns
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 24-0783815158-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: very good. Very Good Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think_very_0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Campbell Bookstore, Austin, TX, U.S.A.
Condition: NEW. Seller Inventory # NewCamp0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Front Cover Books, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Condition: NEW. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldBooks, Denver, CO, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: NEW. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wizard Books, Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: NEW. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Big Bill's Books, Wimberley, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: NEW. Brand New Copy. Seller Inventory # BBB_new0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenDragon, Houston, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: NEW. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0783815158
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GoldenWavesOfBooks, Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: NEW. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0783815158
Quantity: 1 available