MYSTERY*FILE ON-LINE
The Life and Art of vern
The Violent World of Parker
Thomas Pluck | Goombah Gumbo: Belly Laughs and Gut Punches
ZETTGEIST
Description: The Parker novels by Richard Stark (AKA Donald Westlake)
parker (659) donald westlake (2) richard stark (2)
The Parker Novels by Richard Stark (AKA Donald E. Westlake), other works by DEW, and crime fiction and film in general
You’ve heard of the hero and the anti-hero…how about the non-hero? That’s how Parker, the main character in a series of novels by Richard Stark (AKA Donald E. Westlake) has been described. Parker is a thief, but he’s no charming cat burglar who playfully eludes the silly authorities. He’s a ruthless thug who does whatever it takes to get what he wants (usually money), and he doesn’t care about a living soul other than himself. Some of the things he does will be repellent (I hope) to readers.
So why read the stuff? Because Stark is an excellent writer and the Parker books are exciting and thought-provoking. Like all great crime fiction, the Parker novels give readers not just the story of a crime, but also a detailed look at the inner workings of a fascinating and original character.
MYSTERY*FILE ON-LINE
The Life and Art of vern
The Violent World of Parker
Thomas Pluck | Goombah Gumbo: Belly Laughs and Gut Punches
ZETTGEIST