Posted by Leda on August 30, 2007 at 12:46:58:
In Reply to: Re: Bridgett Logan (Patriot Acts)!!!!! Spoilers posted by Larry on August 30, 2007 at 10:18:02:
I have yet to try a Brad Meltzer. Thanks so much for the information. As it happens I'll probably hit the books store again this weekend and will seek that one out at your suggestion.
That's amazing how many works Greg has done from comics to novels etc. I have only read his novels with Atticus and loved Fistful of Rain. The similarities were striking between Mim and Bridie is right. I've also purchased A Gentleman's Game which I still have to sit down and read. I think you and Danny have a lot more history with Greg's work so thanks again for offering your take on it all. It's been very enlightening to just read your comments.
: 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
: :
: : : : 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