Plot, Charater, Setting . . . Can Settings Be a Character? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T14:07:16Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:17899?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A18074&feed=yes&xn_auth=noElmore Leonard's Detroit nove…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:183532007-04-04T18:37:08.213ZJohn McFetridgehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
Elmore Leonard's Detroit novels (and his Florida novels, too, for that matter). And Louise Penney's Still Life set in the eastern townships of Quebec (haven't read the new one yet). <br />
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Also, Linwood Barclay wrote three novels (Bad Move, Bad Guys and Lone Wolf) set in an anonymous sub-division that took on a real personality and could have been a few miles outside of just about any city in North America.
Elmore Leonard's Detroit novels (and his Florida novels, too, for that matter). And Louise Penney's Still Life set in the eastern townships of Quebec (haven't read the new one yet). <br />
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Also, Linwood Barclay wrote three novels (Bad Move, Bad Guys and Lone Wolf) set in an anonymous sub-division that took on a real personality and could have been a few miles outside of just about any city in North America. And the JG Ballard stuff in t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:183512007-04-04T18:33:56.915ZJohn McFetridgehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
And the JG Ballard stuff in the high rise. That building was creepy.
And the JG Ballard stuff in the high rise. That building was creepy. The one's that come to mind i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:181402007-04-04T13:26:13.675ZHelenhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/helenell
The one's that come to mind immediately are Ian Rankin's Edinburgh, Stephen Booth's Peak District, Adrian Hyland's central Australia, Stuart MacBride's Aberdeen in Cold Granite (all that rain!) As well as much of the Scandinavian fiction as Karen has already mentioned.
The one's that come to mind immediately are Ian Rankin's Edinburgh, Stephen Booth's Peak District, Adrian Hyland's central Australia, Stuart MacBride's Aberdeen in Cold Granite (all that rain!) As well as much of the Scandinavian fiction as Karen has already mentioned. I agree about setting being a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:181182007-04-04T12:32:13.916ZKaren Syedhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/KarenSyed
I agree about setting being a character in itself. The better the writer, the better this is to understand. I am a HUGE fan of James Lee Burke and this is one of the reasons. For example. I am excited to know that they are turning "In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead" into a movie. This was the first Burke book I read and I was blown away. The scenes where he is sitting and talking to the soldiers are so vivid, I swear I could smell the musty stink of their decaying uniforms. I can…
I agree about setting being a character in itself. The better the writer, the better this is to understand. I am a HUGE fan of James Lee Burke and this is one of the reasons. For example. I am excited to know that they are turning "In the Electric Mist with the Confederate Dead" into a movie. This was the first Burke book I read and I was blown away. The scenes where he is sitting and talking to the soldiers are so vivid, I swear I could smell the musty stink of their decaying uniforms. I can hear the alligators taking off on the banks of the bayou...it's all very visual for me and that makes the books that much more enjoyable. <br />
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When an author can make me see and feel what the characters see and feel, it is like a great high for me...the cold on my cheeks, the rain on my head, the bugs crawling on my skin as I hover in a dark and damp basement...it's like a drug. <br />
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My how I do go on... I've read books where the set…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180742007-04-04T08:59:22.756ZAllan Guthriehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/sunshine65
I've read books where the setting was significant, but only one where the setting was a major character. At least it's the only book I can think of where the setting has goals (and obstacles to those goals) and motivations, which are surely essential components of major characters. It's GRIDIRON by Philip Kerr, which is set in a sentient building.
I've read books where the setting was significant, but only one where the setting was a major character. At least it's the only book I can think of where the setting has goals (and obstacles to those goals) and motivations, which are surely essential components of major characters. It's GRIDIRON by Philip Kerr, which is set in a sentient building. Daniel Woodrell's WINTER'S BO…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180702007-04-04T07:48:46.879ZDonna Moorehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaMoore
Daniel Woodrell's WINTER'S BONE, Arnaldur Indridason's JAR CITY, Paul Johnston's Quintillian Dalrypmple series set in an Edinburgh slightly in the future, Carl Hiaasen...quite a few others but those are the ones that immediately spring to mind.
Daniel Woodrell's WINTER'S BONE, Arnaldur Indridason's JAR CITY, Paul Johnston's Quintillian Dalrypmple series set in an Edinburgh slightly in the future, Carl Hiaasen...quite a few others but those are the ones that immediately spring to mind. Robert Crais' Voodoo River --…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180442007-04-04T05:23:23.780ZToni McGee Causeyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ecouteuse
Robert Crais' Voodoo River -- set in Plaquemine Parish and Crais really nailed it in ways most people can't. Lots of people write the deep south and/or New Orleans as if they're the same thing as (a) each other and worse (b) the rest of the south. They're not. And Plaquemine is so distinct in his story and it's the place and the people it generates which makes the story zing; it couldn't have been that story anywhere else.
Robert Crais' Voodoo River -- set in Plaquemine Parish and Crais really nailed it in ways most people can't. Lots of people write the deep south and/or New Orleans as if they're the same thing as (a) each other and worse (b) the rest of the south. They're not. And Plaquemine is so distinct in his story and it's the place and the people it generates which makes the story zing; it couldn't have been that story anywhere else. Thanks, Neil, and you're righ…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180232007-04-04T04:26:15.326ZPatricia Harringtonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/observer
Thanks, Neil, and you're right. I also think back to the old Travis Magee mysteries (John McDonald), and the author's beloved Florida Keys The inevitable changes to the Keys as a result of encroaching development and commercialism certainly drove Travis and colored his outlook. Would he have acted, reacted similarily in a different setting? He would have used the same skills and experience, but the heart and emotion within him would have been differently, I think. We are shaped by our…
Thanks, Neil, and you're right. I also think back to the old Travis Magee mysteries (John McDonald), and the author's beloved Florida Keys The inevitable changes to the Keys as a result of encroaching development and commercialism certainly drove Travis and colored his outlook. Would he have acted, reacted similarily in a different setting? He would have used the same skills and experience, but the heart and emotion within him would have been differently, I think. We are shaped by our landscape. At least that's my take. <br />
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Thanks for your all your suggestions. They are helpful. <br />
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Pat Harrington Hill House, Shirley Jackson's…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180092007-04-04T03:04:26.104ZDADavenporthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DADavenport
Hill House, Shirley Jackson's creation. The human characters were almost incidental to the pull and repulsion exerted by that house. It is the most unforgettable setting I can think of.
Hill House, Shirley Jackson's creation. The human characters were almost incidental to the pull and repulsion exerted by that house. It is the most unforgettable setting I can think of. I suspect that sense of place…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-04-04:537324:Comment:180042007-04-04T02:55:11.191ZKaren from AustCrimehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/austcrimefiction
I suspect that sense of place is part of the reason that I'm so drawn to Scandinavian fiction in particular - there is always a sense that the location / weather / surroundings have a strong impact on the overall mood.
I suspect that sense of place is part of the reason that I'm so drawn to Scandinavian fiction in particular - there is always a sense that the location / weather / surroundings have a strong impact on the overall mood.