Dortmunder and Parker

Currently I am listening to Donald Westlake's Dortmunder novels. I have read many of the Richard Stark pen named Parker novels and wanted to discover the differences between these two series. The Dortmunder novels are getting more and more funny as they go along—I am on the fifth one now: (Why Me?). I am glad that Westlake did not try to make Parker into this comic character but invented a whole new series for to vent his farsical criminal activities.

I have not published any reviews of the Parker books because I am trying to just let them develop before I form final thoughts. I can say that they are an excellent vehicle for Westlake to display his substantial minimalistic writing skills. Both Dortmunder and Parker are both very funny; Dortmunder because he is so inept, and Parker because he is so devoid of human feelings. In a Dortmnuder book you get the character getting a stolen ring stuck of his finger while he is arrested and questioned by the Police—while in a Parker book you get lines like, "He waved the Tommy gun at him conversationally." One is slapstick and the other is situational. Both funny in their own way. At the moment I think the Parker series is masterful and the Dortmunder series merely entertaining.

The Dortmunder books can stand alone but the Parker books are each like chapters in a very long novel. Westlake writes Dortmunder filled with scenes that are outlandishly comedic. He writes Parker with prose to sparse that it has you going back to see how you know what you know about a situation. Dortmunder is doomed to fail. Parker is always a surprise. I never know where the stor is going. If I had to lick just on, it would be Parker; hands down.

THE DISPATCHER by John Scalzi

Narrated by Zachary Quinto

Unexpected Impact of One Change to Reality

John Scalzi will forever be for me a purveyor of comedic Science Fiction but here he submits a thought-provoking short story. This is an idea story, a piece exploring the societal impact of a new development—murdered people come back to life. If I had not seen Scalzi's name on the credits I would have guessed that Robert J. Sawyer had written this tale. It took me back to the stories that got me hooked on Science Fiction in the first place; stories that played with ideas. Scalzi comes up with an unusual new reality and then invents some unexpected applications of this new situation that give rise to a very interesting way of life for the title character. This is an excellent entertainment.

Zachary Quinto delivers a subtle, but nuanced performance. His character voices are not markedly distinct like some of my favorites but he is so consistent that the characters are always easily distinguishable. I grew to really like his narrative choice to avoid injecting too much emotion into his voice. He allows the story to deliver the impact.

ALLIANCE OF SHADOWS by Larry Correia and Mike Kupari

Narrated by Bronson Pinchot

Title Fight Illuminati vs. the Shadow Government

Valentine, Lorenzo and all the usual suspects are back for more high caliber intrigue.  The whole story arc that began with the first book really kicks into high gear with this one.  All the major players clash in the most incendiary way. I can tell you that may things get resolved nicely but there are a few major loose ends remaining—just enough for another sequel. A very satisfying listen.

A chief reason this book is satisfying is the performance of Bronson Pinchot. At the risk of repeating myself, Pinchot is quite simply fantastic. His voice transports you into the story. I love his voices for Anderson and the Reaper. He is so over the top in some scenes that I had to break out laughing, cheering him on,  as if he were an actor on stage.