Back in January I came upon this article from The Rap Sheet on Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe Mysteries. Wow, that was a blast from the past for me.
Way back in library school, when I took the RA class (we are talking last century here), I was introduced to the Nero Wolfe mysteries by chance. I literally pulled a paperback at random out of the box of provided mysteries for that week's assignment.
For me, someone who hadn't read a traditional mystery since I had read Agatha Christie as a teenager, this book opened my eyes to the world of classic mysteries. I can remember my experience of reading and writing about that book as the turning point to when I knew I could do RA as a career. I could see how and why someone would love to read books like this all of the time, even if I myself would not.
Although I have only gone back and read 1 other Nero Wolfe book in the years since, I still have a soft spot in my heart for that misogynistic, overweight, orchid loving PI. But, sadly, even though as this article explains, Robert Goldsborough continued the series into the 1990s, he dropped it until recently returning to it. So although Wolfe is a great option for many readers, many of us have forgotten about him. That makes me sad.
Well, I am going to do something about it and so are you.
For Today's Monday Discussion, dig back in your brain and give some love for an author you love who you feel may be forgotten. Think back like I did to someone you had a soft spot for years ago, who is still worth reading today. Together, we will make a list of forgotten authors and we can all start suggesting them to patrons. We will all look like super-librarians to our patrons.
Everyone wins here.
For past Monday Discussions, click here.
I was introduced to the Nero Wolf mysteries via the theatre. I was cast as a villain in an adaptation for radio of one of the mysteries and learned later that they were a series of books. What great tales!
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone still read R. F. Delderfield? The Swann trilogy has recently been reprinted in trade paper and the books are available in an e-format; I also loved To Serve Them All My Days. I loved these books with their great length and historical, stereotypic British settings. If you notice a reader who is looking for books that double as doorstops in weight, these titles are great choices!
ReplyDeleteI agree about Delderfield. Great stories, characters and setting.
ReplyDeleteBut I have to bring up Edna Ferber. Her books are iconic Americana -- So Big, Giant, Cimarron, Showboat. And many others. I think So Big is my favorite.