Posted by Larry on August 30, 2007 at 10:18:02:
In Reply to: Re: Bridgett Logan (Patriot Acts)!!!!! Spoilers posted by Leda on August 30, 2007 at 08:15:59:
Have you read any Brad Meltzer? I actually first was introduced to Meltzer before I even knew he was a comics fan/was planning to write any DC comics. But Rucka's first work for me was the final storylines running through the Batman books during "No Man's Land," and then "Detective Comics." I followed a lot of his comics writing without any idea he was a novelist until...I want to say, 2005.
My best friend, it later turned out, was a big fan of Rucka's novels, and told me I had to read the first Atticus book. I did, and I liked it a lot -- enough that when I saw what "Shooting" was about, I wanted to jump into that book instead of the other two Kodiak novels. "Shooting" is the one that truly blew me away, and I feel confident in saying this is where Rucka truly upped his game, and went from being a great writer to one of the best mystery/thriller novelists of our generation.
And every novel he's put out since has been on this level -- I love the two Q&C novels, Critical Space, and of course Patriot Acts continues this trend. I also picked up "A Fistful of Rain," and once again was floored by the writing. In a lot of ways, Mim reminded me of Bridie.
If my friend likes "Shooting," I believe that I'll give her "Rain" next. But anyway -- if you've never read Brad Meltzer before, I have to strongly recommend "The First Counsel." Truly great work.
--Larry
: Hi Larry,
: Thanks for posting you definitely brought a great perspective and I very much agree. I've always thought of the story as both Atticus and Bridgett's as well and that's probably why I had a hard time though still loved it.
: I too as a woman again started with Shooting to go back to the others. I then passed Shooting on to my sister so that she could get a taste of Greg's work. She and I both loved it so much. Your friend will have to run out and by more of Greg's works after she reads it.
: My favorite male authors are usually people such as Nelson Demille but no one writes like Greg Rucka in my eyes. He takes top billing for me.
: : Yeah; as I said in my thread, I don't mind when certain characters are excluded or killed off when the new faces are just as interesting. It definitely softens the blow -- and while shows like "24" have had ups and downs in this department, Greg's novels have never failed to live up to expectations. That he's taken Atticus in a very different direction right now may be part of a plan to later reconcile his past and his future in a way we don't expect, or it could well be that Atticus will stay on this larger-scale direction and Bridie may get a solo novel grounded in the gritty, street-level world of "Shooting."
: : Either way, I've always felt that these novels belong to both Atticus and Bridie, that it's their love story being told, and I believe that eventually they'll find their way back to each other...and that like every other novel Greg writes, the reconciliation will be difficult and painful, but ultimately rewarding.
: : Speaking of "Shooting at Midnight," I'm actually passing it on to a female friend of mine who's never read an Atticus book, but thinks this one sounds great. What's amazing to me is that every novel feels/reads like a "first" novel in the series -- she'll be able to read this novel with no prior knowledge of the series and never once be lost; and to me that's truly a testament to Rucka's skills as a writer. Here's hoping she'll want to read more of the Atticus series.
: : --Larry
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: : : Folks,
: : : there's a huge benefit to a Novelist also writing comics, and that's the importance of a mutli-dimensional supporting cast. As is evident with Atticus' stable. It also allows for plots / sub plots - of which (a good) comic writer has the best expertise in. Besides the ones we know and love (Erika, Bridie, Natalie (rip), Dale, etc - we haven't met his parents or siblings yet. "That" would be interesting, as he seeks redemption but keeps falling into the abyss of the other direction.
: : : Regarding 'solo' projects - again it's mining a rich comic writers vein. Although I've read 100s of books, Shooting stands unique as it's two books in one - and loved it.
: : : John
:
: : :
: : : : Exactly Danny well said. I just had this really different picture in my head and it messed me up a bit there. lol
: : : : I'm crossing fingers we'll see them in Walking Dead too.
: : : : : I agree with you! Getting used to Atticus' new status quo was hard at first. As it turned out Patriot Acts was nothing like I expected it to be, but now looking back I think it was my expectations that were screwed up. What did I think was going to happen after Critical Space?
: : : : : I really felt the absence of the rest of the supporting cast a lot. But there wasn't really any other way it could have happened. Hopefully we'll see them in Walking Dead