I read all the Nancy Drew books as a child. Much preferred her to the Hardy Boys. Got reading Chandler as a teenager because I was falling in love with movies by then. Then I discovered Highsmith and my eyes flew open. She has been the biggest influence on my own writing. I've also read all the Lew Archer novels. Megan Abbott, Kate Atkinson, and Deborah Crombie are three current crime favorites. But it all goes back to Nancy Drew.
You covered a few of my big influences: Chandler, Hammett, Tolkien... I’d add Zelazny to my list. For me, the one from left field would be Joseph Heller, who didn’t write either crime or scifi. But I love his ironic style and try to emulate it to some extent in my own work.
I’m so embarrased right now. I didn’t know you were Belgian, or that English isn’t your first language. I’m so used to most of the writers I interact with online being American. I should pay more attention, shouldn’t I? Cheers, Martine!
LOVE Georges Simenon! A more recent French crime writer I really dig is David Diop, who's "Frère d'âme" (English title: "At Night All Blood Is Black") about African troops in WWI & the reaction of one to PTSD/shellshock is one of the more memorable novels I've read the last few years. The English translation is quite good, too.
I read all the Nancy Drew books as a child. Much preferred her to the Hardy Boys. Got reading Chandler as a teenager because I was falling in love with movies by then. Then I discovered Highsmith and my eyes flew open. She has been the biggest influence on my own writing. I've also read all the Lew Archer novels. Megan Abbott, Kate Atkinson, and Deborah Crombie are three current crime favorites. But it all goes back to Nancy Drew.
You covered a few of my big influences: Chandler, Hammett, Tolkien... I’d add Zelazny to my list. For me, the one from left field would be Joseph Heller, who didn’t write either crime or scifi. But I love his ironic style and try to emulate it to some extent in my own work.
Book recommendations, cool stories about the French Nancy Drew, AND a drink recipe!
Loving this.
Ed Church also gets the nod from me... and a reminder to read some more Hiassen.
Thanks pal!
I’m so embarrased right now. I didn’t know you were Belgian, or that English isn’t your first language. I’m so used to most of the writers I interact with online being American. I should pay more attention, shouldn’t I? Cheers, Martine!
Love this. I was just looking at my bookshelves yesterday thi king about when I’d read what.
LOVE Georges Simenon! A more recent French crime writer I really dig is David Diop, who's "Frère d'âme" (English title: "At Night All Blood Is Black") about African troops in WWI & the reaction of one to PTSD/shellshock is one of the more memorable novels I've read the last few years. The English translation is quite good, too.