Man, I LOVE Westlake's stuff. I keep a copy of Firebreak on my desk because every page of his pulpy/noir stuff is like a writing seminar. Every sentence is a how to in laconic excellence.
And what a mind. His plots were believable and straightforward, moved forward as if drawn steadily by a winch. You get dragged along by them as a normie in an uncomfortable world. This is in great contrast to a lot of contemporary writers whose work is pretty hollow because they've sat in front of a computer their whole life. Westlake was the realest, which I would say was his secret sauce.
What I love about the Stark novels is that at their core, they are about a consummate professional going to work...only his work happens to be revenge and death. 'Slayground' being the perfect example.
I'm a huge Donald Westlake fan. I love the Dortmunder and Kelp heist series. The Hot Rock is so funny and ridiculous. Haha. And yes, the Parker novels are completely different. They're much darker and seedier. I think both are fun and I've been trying to read most of his work, although there is a ton of it out there. His later book The Ax, is what turned me onto his writing in the beginning. That one is crazy, and Burk Devore almost convinced me he was right. Awesome post, Philly.
Man, I LOVE Westlake's stuff. I keep a copy of Firebreak on my desk because every page of his pulpy/noir stuff is like a writing seminar. Every sentence is a how to in laconic excellence.
And what a mind. His plots were believable and straightforward, moved forward as if drawn steadily by a winch. You get dragged along by them as a normie in an uncomfortable world. This is in great contrast to a lot of contemporary writers whose work is pretty hollow because they've sat in front of a computer their whole life. Westlake was the realest, which I would say was his secret sauce.
Well said. I'm impressed how he could balance the lighter and darker tones. He was talented but also a skilled craftsman.
Love all the Westlake/Stark books.
You have a favorite?
Hold a gun to my head and I would say "The Hunter," but I really love all 24 of them.
I love the Parker books.
What I love about the Stark novels is that at their core, they are about a consummate professional going to work...only his work happens to be revenge and death. 'Slayground' being the perfect example.
You're a well read dude. Stark is like someone who slipped into his criminal career as if it's a second skin. Good point.
A nice account if one of my favourites! The early Stark novels are great but whatever happened later on?
I'm a huge Donald Westlake fan. I love the Dortmunder and Kelp heist series. The Hot Rock is so funny and ridiculous. Haha. And yes, the Parker novels are completely different. They're much darker and seedier. I think both are fun and I've been trying to read most of his work, although there is a ton of it out there. His later book The Ax, is what turned me onto his writing in the beginning. That one is crazy, and Burk Devore almost convinced me he was right. Awesome post, Philly.