From the massively
magnificent archive…
The latest book from
author Lawrence Block titled Catch And Release: 17 Stories is an
enjoyable grab bag of tales. Short tales, long tales, and a play are present
here where those involved almost always offer a philosophy on life and their
role in the world. As such, this is a thinking reader’s book and not a light
weight read where the characters just run around shooting people and killing
folks for the heck of it. Everything that happens, or does not happen, is
because a character made a conscious decision based on his or her philosophy of
life and his or her role in it and the word as a whole.
The book opens with
“A Burglar’s-Eye View of Greed” where the narrator goes to see his favorite
bookseller, Bernie Rhodenbarr. Fortunately for Bernie he doesn’t have to sell
books to survive. He very well may be the last of the gentlemen burglars.
All you want when you
have had losing hands all night is “A Chance To Get Even.” Richard Krale is
having a bad night and wants his chance to finally settle up. Not just for the
bad night of poker, but for other matters as well.
“A Vision in white”
comes next and is a story that is nearly impossible to discuss at all without
ruining it for the reader. As you read it, the tale should make things
abundantly clear where the inspiration came from in the sports world.
The signature story
of the book “Catch and Release” (previously available as a solo short story
confusing some readers) follows where the water is on not at all involved
except a metaphorical level. He has his methods and his fantasies in a tale
that plays with the reader right to the end.
Katherine “Kit”
Tolliver had a mission when she arrived in Toledo, Ohio, in “Clean Slate.” Like
the main character of the proceeding story, Kit has a plan to balance things
out.
In what has to be the
most flat-out disturbing story in the book (though “Catch and Release” comes
close) hoarding is just part of the issue in “Dolly’s Trash and Treasure.” It
begins with a visit by child protective services and Mrs. Saugerties has some
very strange answers.
Next is a one act
play tilted “How Far.” Dorothy Morgan has a problem and Billy may or may not
help her. One doesn’t really know until the end.
The end of the TV
show the Sopranos annoyed many of us. It annoyed Mick Ballou as well. In “Mick
Ballou Looks at the Blank Screen” he ponders what was meant by that ending and
more. He’s doing all this thinking for a good reason.
As the years pass,
the familiar often has to make way for something new. That idea is a small part
of the tale “One Last Night at Grogan’s.” Mick Ballou, the major character of
the proceeding tale, is the primary focus here as well in another good read.
Walters stole some
very valuable information and Jondahl wants him stopped and the information
retrieved in “Part of the Job.” The history of the tale is almost as
interesting and explained in the attached piece titled “The Story About The
Story . . .”
Like several of the
previous characters, the main character in “Scenarios” has twisted fantasies. It
ends where and when it ends.
An elderly man helps
with an oral history project in “See the Woman.” Doing so stirs up for more
than just memories.
Numerous stories
within the main story is the author technique at work in the next two long
stories. The backdrop is a poker game where a variety of characters from
various walks of life discuss sins, philosophy, and much more in “Speaking of
Greed” and “Speaking of Lust.”
Routine is important
to Kramer in “Welcome to the Real World.” Kramer likes things the way they are
and isn’t ready to change. Yet a former coworker seems intent on helping Kramer
change-- one way or another.
Colliard didn’t
really want the coffee, but, he had to do something with his hands in “Who
Knows Where It Goes.” Life wasn’t supposed to work out this way, but it has,
and the options are few.
“Without a Body” is
the last story of the book and features a narrator where one isn’t sure if one
is dead or alive.
Explanations of the
various stories and their history are provided in “Story Notes.” A short author
bio and ads for other books bring the book to an end.
Catch And Release: 17
Stories
features characters that over their philosophy on crime, life, and more. What
happens, or does not happen, in these tales is because the main character has
made a conscious decision based on his or her philosophy of life and his or her
role in it and the word as a whole. The tales are complicated with twists that
make the reader pay attention and think. The book is also very good.
Material supplied by
the author in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2013,
2016, 2022
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