Comments on: Getting Better http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/ Behind the Book Reviews--The Official Blog of Booklist Online Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:02:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Likely Stories » Blog Archive » Ellis on Starr http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-37174 Likely Stories » Blog Archive » Ellis on Starr Wed, 28 Mar 2007 21:24:12 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-37174 [...] For a past post on Lights Out, click here. [...] […] For a past post on Lights Out, click here. […]

]]> By: Frank Sennett http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-145 Frank Sennett Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-145 Interesting post. I reviewed that Starr novel quite a while back, and just recently reviewed an anthology, Hard Boiled Brooklyn, in which he has a story. Either he's putting more effort into his novels than his stories these days, or I'm just not ready for him yet, as you put it. My latest review line about Starr, which was cut before getting into print, was: "Although editor Coleman might have helped his book by salting a few classic tales among the sometimes-slapdash new works (Jason Starr, in particular, needs to learn a new punch line)..." My feeling about the guy is that he's got talent, but I catch the whiff of smug and maybe a bit lazy in there sometimes. But I'm glad to hear you liked the latest novel better than the previous one you reviewed, because he writes the kind of thing I usually tend to like... Interesting post. I reviewed that Starr novel quite a while back, and just recently reviewed an anthology, Hard Boiled Brooklyn, in which he has a story. Either he’s putting more effort into his novels than his stories these days, or I’m just not ready for him yet, as you put it. My latest review line about Starr, which was cut before getting into print, was: “Although editor Coleman might have helped his book by salting a few classic tales among the sometimes-slapdash new works (Jason Starr, in particular, needs to learn a new punch line)…” My feeling about the guy is that he’s got talent, but I catch the whiff of smug and maybe a bit lazy in there sometimes. But I’m glad to hear you liked the latest novel better than the previous one you reviewed, because he writes the kind of thing I usually tend to like…

]]> By: Keir http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-146 Keir Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.booklistonline.com/2006/05/30/getting-better/#comment-146 I do think <em>Lights Out</em> is an improvement, but I know what you're saying. And it's funny because you've hit on my feelings about Ken Bruen, who co-wrote <em>Bust</em> with Starr (and I think they might pal around a bit, too). Bruen has a great, entertaining voice and is starting to get some buzz, but I feel like he doesn't push himself. He doesn't take his plots or characters in new directions, or build the scope of what he's doing. Each book is pretty much the same, and a kind of self-satisfaction seeps through the writing. The books are decent, but you feel like they could much more than that.<br /><br />The jacket of <em>Lights Out</em> dubs it "The Next Step in Jason Starr's Climb to Bestsellerdom..." I know that's just PR hype, and you never really know, but I just don't see it. I don't think either of them is a) broad enough, or b) invested enough in their material. But I'd love to have them prove me wrong. I do think Lights Out is an improvement, but I know what you’re saying. And it’s funny because you’ve hit on my feelings about Ken Bruen, who co-wrote Bust with Starr (and I think they might pal around a bit, too). Bruen has a great, entertaining voice and is starting to get some buzz, but I feel like he doesn’t push himself. He doesn’t take his plots or characters in new directions, or build the scope of what he’s doing. Each book is pretty much the same, and a kind of self-satisfaction seeps through the writing. The books are decent, but you feel like they could much more than that.

The jacket of Lights Out dubs it “The Next Step in Jason Starr’s Climb to Bestsellerdom…” I know that’s just PR hype, and you never really know, but I just don’t see it. I don’t think either of them is a) broad enough, or b) invested enough in their material. But I’d love to have them prove me wrong.

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