Discussion:
[MB] Something new ...
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John Blair
2008-09-30 19:03:40 UTC
Permalink
A thought on something new to talk about.
For someone who started life as a cartoon writer (so I understand), Peter
O’D in my view is a miraculous novel thriller writer.
The plots, the gadgets, the characters are terrific, but the most remarkable
thing to me is the quality of the writing – the action lines and passages
that are extraordinarily well paced and scripted, or humorous lines that are
just wonderful.
Lines that stand out in my memory even though I haven't read the book from
which they're taken for years.
So, here's what I propose:
Write to the group with one or more of your favorite lines from the novels,
from memory. Lines that when you think of them immediately put you back in
the scene.  We’re not trying for obscure esoterica – but in some sense the
opposite, the lines that really really stand out for you.
Don't cite the source book – leave that to the readers.
And readers, when you read them, *don't* write the answer back to the group
– leave the fun for the other readers. And because it’s from memory, forgive
us if we don't get the quote exactly right.
It would be great if the original author of each post could follow up and
post the sources after a few days, so we can mentally check our answers.
It would be really interesting (for me at least :) ) to know if the lines
that are so memorable to me are also memorable to others.
If we get any response, I undertake to assemble everything into a list for
forwarding to Peter O’Donnell, or to put on Helen’s site if she's agreeable!
Cheers
John


Here are my three:

“Break right, princess.”

Despair came very close.

“It’s cheaper”, Willie said sagely.
Helen Evans
2008-09-30 20:13:27 UTC
Permalink
Post by John Blair
If we get any response, I undertake to assemble everything into a list for
forwarding to Peter O’Donnell, or to put on Helen’s site if she's
agreeable!
GREAT idea - and 'yes' for my part in that!
Post by John Blair
forgive us if we don't get the quote exactly right.
Oh gosh, I don't think I can do it at ALL from memory. I know one of my
favourite moments is Willie quoting the Psalms with the h's taken off to
show his accent -- but I can't even think which book that was, let alone
the actual quote! Wish I had your memory, John...

Helen
Paul Kerry
2008-09-30 23:33:00 UTC
Permalink
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Blair" <***@jblair.net>
To: <***@ifi.uio.no>
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:03 PM
Subject: [MB] Something new ...



A thought on something new to talk about.
For someone who started life as a cartoon writer (so I understand), Peter
O'D in my view is a miraculous novel thriller writer.
Cheers
John


Here are my three:

"Break right, princess."

I know that one!

How about:

"For a moment I thought you might actually split that infinitive."

"You'll just have to win this one, Willie."

"Garvin, I think you've earned a draw."

P O'D is an amazing writer. I've reread my favourites many times and I never
cease to be amazed by his writing style, not just as a thriller writer but
by any standard.

Paul
Terry Pearson
2008-10-01 02:18:20 UTC
Permalink
It's impossible, of course, to pick just one. Here are a couple that
occur to me immediately. There will be more, I am sure:

"Silly me. I could've taken 'em both at twenty feet with me knives, no
problem. In the back, even."

and

Golitsyn's confidence had returned now. He could not recall having lost
it, even briefly, for fifteen years.
Post by Paul Kerry
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:03 PM
Subject: [MB] Something new ...
A thought on something new to talk about.
For someone who started life as a cartoon writer (so I understand), Peter
O'D in my view is a miraculous novel thriller writer.
Cheers
John
"Break right, princess."
I know that one!
"For a moment I thought you might actually split that infinitive."
"You'll just have to win this one, Willie."
"Garvin, I think you've earned a draw."
P O'D is an amazing writer. I've reread my favourites many times and I
never cease to be amazed by his writing style, not just as a thriller
writer but by any standard.
Paul
Norwood, Frederick Hudson
2008-10-01 12:25:44 UTC
Permalink
This is a test, to see if I can post to the list. (I've not been able to
do so for a long time.)

Best,
Rick Norwood

-----Original Message-----
From: mb-***@ifi.uio.no [mailto:mb-***@ifi.uio.no] On Behalf Of
Terry Pearson
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 10:12 PM
To: ***@ifi.uio.no
Subject: Re: [MB] Something new ...

It's impossible, of course, to pick just one. Here are a couple that
occur to me immediately. There will be more, I am sure:

"Silly me. I could've taken 'em both at twenty feet with me knives, no
problem. In the back, even."

and

Golitsyn's confidence had returned now. He could not recall having lost
it, even briefly, for fifteen years.
Post by Paul Kerry
Sent: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 8:03 PM
Subject: [MB] Something new ...
A thought on something new to talk about.
For someone who started life as a cartoon writer (so I understand), Peter
O'D in my view is a miraculous novel thriller writer.
Cheers
John
"Break right, princess."
I know that one!
"For a moment I thought you might actually split that infinitive."
"You'll just have to win this one, Willie."
"Garvin, I think you've earned a draw."
P O'D is an amazing writer. I've reread my favourites many times and I
never cease to be amazed by his writing style, not just as a thriller
writer but by any standard.
Paul
Helen Evans
2008-10-01 21:46:31 UTC
Permalink
Hm, well this is NOT actually my favourite, but for some reason the only
one I can remember well enough to quote!

"This lady, my west... very nice chess."

Helen
Karl-Heinz Herrmann
2008-10-02 20:08:42 UTC
Permalink
"Couldn't spare old clothes, will this do?" -- for more than one reason.


"If it came to the worst I could always eat you -- tastier than a land rover, eh?"
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