Laura Lippman
As I said in my first post (the one with the big type) I wasn't sure what to post here and didn't know if I should do book reviews. Well, I'm not going to do a book review but I do want to say something about Lippman's new book, WHAT THE DEAD KNOW.
I have not always been a fan of Lippman's writing. I read her first book and I think the second and dismissed her. She will tell you herself that her first five books aren't her best.
I kept reading the raves about her. The winning of all the prizes. I'd see special sections devoted to her in bookstores. I couldn't understand it and I began to hate her. I didn't know her, we'd never met. I hated her because I was jealous.
Then last summer we were on a panel together. I found her charming and bright and funny. I immediately got a copy of NO GOOD DEEDS, which I liked a great deal. It's a good book.
I was looking forward to WHAT THE DEAD KNOW and now I've read it. The novel is wonderful. Thinking back to that first book I'm astonished at how much this writer has grown. We all want to get better as we go on, but not everyone does. Some get worse.
WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is a great accomplishment. I almost felt that I was reading a different writer, but that's because she's written a novel that's taken her eleven books to get to this place. Practice, practice, practice. And I'd guess she's learned a lot from reading.
So, run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and get a copy of WHAT THE DEAD KNOW.
If Laura Lippman doesn't get a bunch of prizes for this I'll be astonished. And mad. I'm not jealous anymore. I'm delighted for her.
I have not always been a fan of Lippman's writing. I read her first book and I think the second and dismissed her. She will tell you herself that her first five books aren't her best.
I kept reading the raves about her. The winning of all the prizes. I'd see special sections devoted to her in bookstores. I couldn't understand it and I began to hate her. I didn't know her, we'd never met. I hated her because I was jealous.
Then last summer we were on a panel together. I found her charming and bright and funny. I immediately got a copy of NO GOOD DEEDS, which I liked a great deal. It's a good book.
I was looking forward to WHAT THE DEAD KNOW and now I've read it. The novel is wonderful. Thinking back to that first book I'm astonished at how much this writer has grown. We all want to get better as we go on, but not everyone does. Some get worse.
WHAT THE DEAD KNOW is a great accomplishment. I almost felt that I was reading a different writer, but that's because she's written a novel that's taken her eleven books to get to this place. Practice, practice, practice. And I'd guess she's learned a lot from reading.
So, run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and get a copy of WHAT THE DEAD KNOW.
If Laura Lippman doesn't get a bunch of prizes for this I'll be astonished. And mad. I'm not jealous anymore. I'm delighted for her.
Views: 21
Comment
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Comment by Patrick Balester on March 4, 2008 at 1:29pm
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A class response, from a class act! Maybe I'll read this Laura Lippman after all.
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Comment by Sandra Scoppettone on March 29, 2007 at 7:12am
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Why thank you, Laura. I am relaxed. After a night like last night I had to be.
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Comment by Laura Benedict on March 29, 2007 at 7:00am
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Folks probably think I'm being paid by her publicity people, because I haven't shut up about how good this book is. Beautifully structured, compelling story. I hope she does get a bucketful of prizes!
BTW--You're looking so relaxed today. And your hair is fabulous!
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