Although I enjoy television and film mysteries, I’m not a big fan of the written genre. I prefer fiction that focuses on the human condition, especially that in which the average person tries to live a decent life in a world rife with temptation. When recently I needed a book to read, I chose Louise Penny’s A Fatal Grace because a woman whose literary taste is so different from mine said it was boring. It’s length also fit the bill -- 311 pages. It was so interesting it read like considerably less than that. It is far superior to all the mysteries I’ve sampled except for Tami Hoag’s A Thin Dark Line. The depth of characterizations rival those of any genre. It is set in a small, scenic town an hour-and-a-half outside Montreal. The main character, Inspector Gamache, is cut in the mold of the great detectives of literature. He has the unique gift of solving murders, of getting into the mind of killers, which he describes thusly: “…I spend my days looking into the last room of the house, the one we keep barred and hidden even from ourselves. The one with all our monsters, fetid and rotted and waiting. My job is to find people who take lives. And to do that I have to find out why. And to do that I have to get into the heads and open the last door. But when I come out again… the world is suddenly more beautiful, more alive, more lovely than ever. When you see the worst, you appreciate the best.” I’ve explored those rooms in my own work. I wish my reaction was as positive as Gamache’s. It has often been frightening. I’ve felt like a monster in waiting. A Fatal Grace is the second of eleven Gamache novels. Thus far, only one has been adapted to film, Still Life (2013), which I've added to my list at Netflix. I was surprised at the popularity of Penny’s work, although it is deserved, at least in this instance. I hadn’t heard of her. Although A Fatal Grace was published seven years ago, it is still selling. At last check at Amazon, where more than eleven million books are listed, it was ranked 6376 in paperback, 1721 in Kindle. More than 500 readers have rated it, forging to a consensus of more than four of five. I agree. My only quibble is the politically correct cast of characters. Then again, this is an error on the side of tolerance and inclusiveness. Penny also seems to use fewer commas than most writers. Outstanding, madam. Thank you.
For the first two-and-a-half hours today on Bay Parkway, author Bill Brown was the floating book shop's only customer, buying two books geared toward the Russian women he has been tutoring in English. When Bad News Billy pulled up on his bike, I knew his car had gone under. He's buying a 1992 Dodge Spirit that has only 37,000 miles on it. He had one in the past and claims they are indestructible. Good luck, my friend. Ralph pulled up in his huge SUV a moment later. While the two were in the bank, a young woman and a middle age one bought two thrillers apiece. Billy bought up all the DVD, VHS, and CDs I had left, and Ralph purchased six works of non-fiction. Thanks, folks, and also to All Things That Matter Press, which sent along a royalty check for one copy sold of A Hitch in Twilight, a boost to morale.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
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