The Godwulf Manuscript
by Robert B. Parker
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Book Summary Information
Author: Robert B. ParkerEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1992-12-05
ISBN: 0440129613
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Dell
Book Reviews of The Godwulf Manuscript
Book Review: 35 YEARS LATER- STILL THE LEGITIMATE HEIR TO CHANDLER AND HAMMETT
Summary: 5 Stars
After re-reading Parker's first Spenser book for probably the 30th time, I am somewhat surprised at some of the reviews published in this space. Most critics agree that the first 4 or 5 books in the Spenser series are genre classics, after which the quality suffered a bit while Parker transitioned Spenser's character into an older, perhaps more mature and stable one (somewhat like when Philip Marlowe finally settled down and actually married). As an aside, everyone, including the NYT Book Review, agrees that in Parker's "Poodle Springs" in which he took the last 4 chapters that Chandler ever wrote of Marlowe and finished the novel, it is a seamless thread where Parker picks up and Chandler leaves off.
Therefor, if one likes Chandler (to my mind as true an American author as Hemingway), he will like Parker, especially early Parker. There is no romantic/relationship innuendi with Susan Silverman, their isn't the racially de-compressive commaradery with Hawk; no, this is too early in the series. Plus, it is the early 1970's after all: Spenser does sleep with both the wife and daughter of a client and is a bit rough-around-the edges. He has to in dealing with the likes of Mafia boss Joe Broz (who stayed through the series). Do people forget that Sam Spade shed barely a tear when his partner was bumped-off (and was indeed probably sleeping with his wife) - but vowed to avenge his murder. The principles and code of ethics that make Marlowe and Spenser unique men are still evident in "The Godwulf Manuscript": he can't be bought; he is rough yet attractive to women, yet respects them in a way that society doesn't - in short, gallant in a time when gallantry towards women was most definitely UN-P.C.; he is a loner and an individualist; a reader, a player of chess and a gourmet cook. He also works out, drinks hard, fights well yet can quote Yeats but can't help cracking wise.
If I ever write a letter to Mr. Parker, it would be to write one final Spenser book from when Spenser was a little rougher around the edges: pre-Susan, pre-Pearl, pre-Hawk and pre-Paul Giacomin, the boy he so lovingly basically adopted in "Early Autumn" - another one of my favorites. I want to know more of what Spenser was doing in the early 1970s and why he got kicked off the Suffolk DA's office. I want to know him before he had his support network of loyal friends; he will always consider himself alone (except maybe for Susan), but this is when Spenser was TRULY alone....
A friend lent me this book and I was skeptical back in 1985 - I picked it up on the day I was supposed to return it to him and read it in one sitting. I have read and re-read Parker's evolution of Spenser ever since. It is a constant source of enjoyment, even if one doesn't like the genre (witness it's/his popularity with women). Don't listen to some of the half-baked reviews I was disappointed to see here - pick up Spenser and he will be a friend for life...
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