Mike Young—
Last weekend I read Norwood by Charles Portis on a Peter Pan Bus from NYC to Northampton, Massachusetts. Tremendously funny and sharp, a pre-cursor to the Coen Brothers. And not just hee-haw, but vivid to the point of effortless grace: one man is described as “holding out his tongue like he was waiting for a coin.” Everyone in Norwood is breezy and distinct, even the people “driving the conflict,” which makes it kind of avant-garde, right? For one or two sentence characterization and all-around deft awesomeness, I’ve not read much better recently than Charles Portis. Why is this post a snippet? Because Ed Park already wrote an awesome essay about Portis. Now let’s all read everything Portis has written and gab about it.
Charles Portis is great. His novels fit together somewhat with the last four Charles Willefords, the Hoke Moseleys set in Miami. I don’t like the earlier Willefords as much and there’s one Portis (“Masters of Atlantis”) which although it has some moments I generally forget. But there’s nothing like the Willeford/Portis deadpan voice.
I really like Masters of Atlantis. And I love True Grit.
I never miss a chance to recommend Charles Portis. “Masters of Atlantis” and “Dog of the South” especially.
Charles Willeford is also essential. Those who have doubts about his pre-Hoke Moseley books may want to try “The Shark Infested Custard.”
Yes! Portis is amazing. And the Coen Bros. reference is right on, considering they’re now shooting a TRUE GRIT remake. I’m partial to THE DOG OF THE SOUTH and MASTERS OF ATLANTIS too, but every book is mesmerizing. They’re all different but each contains something that’s only and specifically portisesque (“portisy”?). What is is the correct adjective? Portish? Portly?
The four Hoke Moseley novels are singular works in the mystery field (well, mystery by marketing default — I think many mystery readers would despise them). It was tragic that Willeford died just as career showed signs of finally taking off.
The Dog of the South made me want a bad car.
i am excited to read this other charles now!
andrew, portly is my favorite of the choices; stoked about the coen grit
I went on a Portis kick a few months ago and re-read Grit, then read anew Dog and Atlantis, loving them all. I need to re-read Norwood as it’s been years since I have and I need to finish Gringos — got distracted by other books and, frankly, needed a Portis-break. Am also looking very forward to the Coens’ take on Grit. Portis was also recently awarded and deservedly so: http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/2010/04/report_from_the_oxford_america.aspx
Bill
Here’s another Portis article by Ron Rosenbaum who also wrote a good piece on him for Esquire: http://www.observer.com/node/41533
I’ll have to read this too. I used to like Rosenbaum when I saw him regularly in the NY Observer.
Charles Portis is great. His novels fit together somewhat with the last four Charles Willefords, the Hoke Moseleys set in Miami. I don’t like the earlier Willefords as much and there’s one Portis (“Masters of Atlantis”) which although it has some moments I generally forget. But there’s nothing like the Willeford/Portis deadpan voice.
I really like Masters of Atlantis. And I love True Grit.
I never miss a chance to recommend Charles Portis. “Masters of Atlantis” and “Dog of the South” especially.
Charles Willeford is also essential. Those who have doubts about his pre-Hoke Moseley books may want to try “The Shark Infested Custard.”
Yes! Portis is amazing. And the Coen Bros. reference is right on, considering they’re now shooting a TRUE GRIT remake. I’m partial to THE DOG OF THE SOUTH and MASTERS OF ATLANTIS too, but every book is mesmerizing. They’re all different but each contains something that’s only and specifically portisesque (“portisy”?). What is is the correct adjective? Portish? Portly?
The four Hoke Moseley novels are singular works in the mystery field (well, mystery by marketing default — I think many mystery readers would despise them). It was tragic that Willeford died just as career showed signs of finally taking off.
The Dog of the South made me want a bad car.
i am excited to read this other charles now!
andrew, portly is my favorite of the choices; stoked about the coen grit
I went on a Portis kick a few months ago and re-read Grit, then read anew Dog and Atlantis, loving them all. I need to re-read Norwood as it’s been years since I have and I need to finish Gringos — got distracted by other books and, frankly, needed a Portis-break. Am also looking very forward to the Coens’ take on Grit. Portis was also recently awarded and deservedly so: http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/rockcandy/2010/04/report_from_the_oxford_america.aspx
Bill
Here’s another Portis article by Ron Rosenbaum who also wrote a good piece on him for Esquire: http://www.observer.com/node/41533
I’ll have to read this too. I used to like Rosenbaum when I saw him regularly in the NY Observer.