*My favorites
Things I've learned about the Nero Wolfe series by way of this sample:
- The relationship between Nero and Archie changed very little from the first.
- Even though Nero and Archie don't seem to age, the context of the stories keeps pace with the times (depression, war years, LSD and civil rights, Watergate);
- Archie isn't above torturing, assaulting and robbing people, and urging at least one to suicide, though he hates it when Wolfe does so;
- Nero isn't above manipulating fate;
- In only one book I've read did Stout use language about race to highlight differences in class and breeding -- to interesting effect;
- Archie is presented as the quintessential ladies man, but maybe he's not. Constanza in Two Many Cooks makes him so nervous that he pretends to be married; Lilly Rowan is so forward in Some Buried Caesar that he must put her down repeatedly.
- Earlier mysteries followed the mystery formula much less; it was perfectly possible for the killer and his/her motive to be introduced in the last several chapters of a book; by the 1960's, the book was salted throughout with clues pointing to the killer.
- Stout has no problem introducing a sympathetic character and killing her (usually) off.
- Archie and Lilly appear together off and on for 36 years, and in the final Nero Wolfe book, they conclude they don't really know what their relationship is either.
My DS (a librarian and professor) and I are also fans of Nero Wolf. Sounds like you have had a great time these past months. And yes, Ruth is the best! Do you also stitch like she does? Stitching and reading - a wonderful combination (although not possible at the same time unless you are on audio).
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed! I'm not a stitcher, but I love looking at her work on Musing Badger.
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