06-08-2011, 11:06 AM | #16 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
I've always avoided Lee Child on the principle that I don't approve of British authors trying to pretend to be Americans. But perhaps I should reconsider, based on the recommendations.
|
06-08-2011, 11:20 AM | #17 |
LB's lolz Mutt Minion
Posts: 2,902
Karma: 5700001
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever
Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III
|
^ I was totally unaware Child was British when I read the first Jack Reacher book. Pretty transparent from what I can tell, though that doesn't mean much coming from me [as I am not the most critical reader with these kinds of books] and I certainly wasn't looking for it.
I generally feel as you do - oftentimes I notice non-native authors making errors with American colloquialisms. <cringe!> Child gets a lot of credit from me on this. "Great" literature this stuff ain't, but IMO definitely guilty-pleasure reading that's a significant cut above the rest. YMMV, -les |
Advert | |
|
06-08-2011, 03:07 PM | #18 |
Reader
Posts: 266
Karma: 13465550
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: USA
Device: Kindle DXG, Kobo Forma
|
I always think of Plato's Republic when reading Reacher.
I'm no scholar and it's been a long time so feel free to correct me. As I recall, Plato describes an ideal society. It would be ruled by highly educated people well versed in philosophy. The general populace he labeled Artisans. A third class was the Guardians. These would be the soldiers, the warriors. Unlike the Artisans, the Guardians would have little interest in material possessions. They would value strength, skill, honor, justice and courage. He didn't want an army of blood thirsty savages that might turn on the citizens so he describes the perfect Guardian as one who is aggressive but also possesses the opposite quality of gentleness. In addition to physical training, they should learn the value of literature and music. Reacher is a Guardian. He was born to a Marine and lived on military bases all over the world as a child. He learned to harness his natural aggression as a way to cope with the problems of being the new kid at school. He joined the army and received extensive training as a warrior. All he'd ever known was the soldiers life. He was content to serve his country as an officer in the Army MPs. Post Vietnam, the military downsized. For the first time, nobody came around to ask Reacher to re-enlist. He wasn't accustomed to making choices about his future. The easiest choice was to do nothing. This resulted in the end of his military career. With little interest in possessions, he'd saved enough money that he figured he could just wander around the country awhile. Most of his life had been spent overseas and he wanted to see the country he had been protecting. So here you have this classic Guardian wandering the country side, walking, hitching or riding the bus, who owns the clothes on his back and a folding toothbrush. He no longer has a chain of command to point him at this battle or that war. He's uncomfortable choosing for himself so he lets chance guide him. He's not looking for a fight but he's not about to run from one either. He's intelligent with years of investigative experience. I enjoy watching him work. I think Plato would also. |
06-08-2011, 05:07 PM | #19 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,230
Karma: 7145404
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+
|
John, nice character association! My rare criticism is how he is almost too perfect... then makes a blunder. Still enjoyable. And, after comparing Barry Eisler's books, I notice Child's sense of location, describing any particular real world location, feels weak.
Whoever in the thread suggested women don't dig these books must not have heard of Reacher's Creatures, lol, a term seemingly stolen from Child's official site -- http://www.reachercreatures.com |
06-08-2011, 05:12 PM | #20 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,638
Karma: 194783560
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
I never thought I'd hear Plato and Jack Reacher mentioned in the same sentence. I like it... it's just that I can't afford to put quite that much thought into why I like it.
|
Advert | |
|
06-08-2011, 05:36 PM | #21 | |
Close to the Edit!
Posts: 9,797
Karma: 267994408
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis, Amazon Fire 8", Kindle 6"
|
Quote:
You should give him the benefit of the doubt, as they are well worth the read. At least he does live in the States, so has some credibilty there. Last edited by orlok; 06-08-2011 at 05:39 PM. |
|
06-08-2011, 07:59 PM | #22 | |
Reader
Posts: 266
Karma: 13465550
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: USA
Device: Kindle DXG, Kobo Forma
|
Quote:
I was checking out the link you mentioned and came across a thread "A Little Reacher Fix". Deanie there found an Amazon page for Joseph Finder's Buried Secrets. If you scroll down you'll find Reacher giving a character assessment of the books protagonist. http://www.amazon.com/Buried-Secrets...7574628&sr=1-1 BTW I've added Barry Eisler to my wish list, thanks! |
|
06-09-2011, 02:25 AM | #23 |
LB's lolz Mutt Minion
Posts: 2,902
Karma: 5700001
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever
Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III
|
Why do I have a sudden craving for coffee after reading this thread?
|
06-09-2011, 02:27 AM | #24 |
Wizard
Posts: 1,299
Karma: 2081110
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SW Australia
Device: Eco Eclipse, Sony PRS 350 (pink), Ipod Touch, Kindle Touch
|
|
06-09-2011, 02:44 AM | #25 |
LB's lolz Mutt Minion
Posts: 2,902
Karma: 5700001
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever
Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III
|
^ Bodice-rippers anyone?
EDIT: Jack Reacher will whup Fabio's blow-dried butt any day of the week. |
06-09-2011, 03:36 AM | #26 | |
Opsimath
Posts: 12,344
Karma: 187123287
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy
|
Quote:
You could be right on the mark here. Many of us would love to be 6'6", 225lb of solid muscle, having absolutely no responsibilities other than what one wishes to take on, having no possessions that require care, and the skills and abilities to meet every challenge with confidence, and meeting a different beautiful woman in every town we stop in who will simply fall into our beds without complications... Personally, I'd settle for 6'2", if I could get all the rest. Stitchawl |
|
06-09-2011, 03:43 AM | #27 |
LB's lolz Mutt Minion
Posts: 2,902
Karma: 5700001
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hong Kong now but NYC forever
Device: Kindle3, GalaxyTab, BB Bold9700, BB 8300, Sony Clie, Palm Vx, Palm III
|
^ I am easier - just give me ooodles and oodles of cash and I am perfectly content with being 5'10.5" tall. Then I could hire guys like Jack Reacher to make me look good.
And yes, the .5" counts |
06-09-2011, 04:29 AM | #28 |
Close to the Edit!
Posts: 9,797
Karma: 267994408
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis, Amazon Fire 8", Kindle 6"
|
That's .5 on me. Should I now feel inadequate, given that it counts .
|
06-09-2011, 06:11 AM | #29 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,951
Karma: 3000001
Join Date: Feb 2011
Device: Kindle 3 wifi, Kindle Fire
|
I think I'll give this series a try
Wait, is there a lot of romance in this series? I get annoyed easily by that xp |
06-09-2011, 06:20 AM | #30 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,117
Karma: 9269999
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5
|
Ms. A. Christie is much the same for me - minus the ass-kicking tooth syndrome (more Bentley 2-seater perambulation), ignore any that aren't Poirot, and surrender yourself to the inevitable Deus ex machina ................
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Romance Williamson, A. M. and C.N: Winnie Childs. V1. 23 Sep 2009 | crutledge | Kindle Books | 0 | 09-23-2009 06:43 AM |
Romance Williamson, A. M. and C.N: Winnie Childs. V1. 23 Sep 2009 | crutledge | BBeB/LRF Books | 0 | 09-23-2009 06:42 AM |
Romance Williamson, A. M. and C.N: Winnie Childs. V1. 23 Sep 2009 | crutledge | IMP Books | 0 | 09-23-2009 06:40 AM |
Romance Williamson, A. M. and C.N: Winnie Childs. V1. 23 Sep 2009 | crutledge | ePub Books | 0 | 09-23-2009 06:37 AM |
Hi from Lee | Leeinn | Introduce Yourself | 4 | 04-08-2009 03:28 PM |