tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post6635514342409318109..comments2024-03-25T11:29:25.356-04:00Comments on Existential Ennui: Pity Him Afterwards By Donald E. Westlake (T. V. Boardman, 1965, Bloodhound Mystery #499): Westlake Score and ReviewNick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-52688240249109916732015-09-07T21:40:41.078-04:002015-09-07T21:40:41.078-04:00I actually generally don't look for specific e...I actually generally don't look for specific editions. There are exceptions. Once, I bought a novel only to decide the cover was so horrible I would still keep my eye out for edition with a better cover.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695983348254508387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-12032568878891381362015-09-05T05:46:10.348-04:002015-09-05T05:46:10.348-04:00Refreshing really, these prices, as all recent ent...Refreshing really, these prices, as all recent entrants into my top wanted list seem to be priced between one and three fifty. Thousand, that is. I have a feeling that book blogging (while extremely helpful in finding new exciting books and authors) has also helped to clean up significantly old stocks of second hand editions in the last 3-5 years.polecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293284921429573528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-30943619485539287072015-09-05T02:59:01.208-04:002015-09-05T02:59:01.208-04:00Far from my favorite Westlake, that's why I di...Far from my favorite Westlake, that's why I didn't want to spend even 17 pounds on the first edition. Ray Garratyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771800826581349483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-83134947027544813552015-09-05T00:21:51.814-04:002015-09-05T00:21:51.814-04:00That is far and away the best cover it ever got. ...That is far and away the best cover it ever got. As to the book itself, I gave it a mixed review, but I thought the madman was the best part. It was an interesting experiment, that didn't entirely pan out. But when you can write a book in 11 days, you're free to try all kinds of things. It is, I'm quite sure a reaction to Bloch's Psycho--Westlake's philosophical response to that story. He can't really summon any sympathy for a character who is determined to never know himself. That's what makes him a monster. But psychological thriller isn't really Westlake's area of strength. You could make a case for The Ax, but that's a very different kind of thriller linked to a very different kind of psyche.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00271250698430923736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-77331500254627785522015-09-04T11:42:09.120-04:002015-09-04T11:42:09.120-04:00Well, aside from the copy I highlighted in my comm...Well, aside from the copy I highlighted in my comment above, there's another one on AbeBooks from a New Zealand seller, much cheaper. It's ex-library, but condition doesn't sound too bad.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-26358244686347235982015-09-04T11:40:32.549-04:002015-09-04T11:40:32.549-04:00Wow, OK, any book written in eleven days I think w...Wow, OK, any book written in eleven days I think we can forgive any shortcomings!Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-24194247434220213052015-09-04T11:39:36.810-04:002015-09-04T11:39:36.810-04:00There's a copy of the Boardman edition on AbeB...There's a copy of the Boardman edition on AbeBooks from a US seller; been there a while, and it looks to be in nice condition, but it'd set you back 95 dollars. Still, worth noting if anyone's interested.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-83386729357214133252015-09-04T08:38:06.698-04:002015-09-04T08:38:06.698-04:00Fantastic cover art - if I were a Westlake fan, it...Fantastic cover art - if I were a Westlake fan, it would have given me a sharp pang of collector's envy! It almost does as it is... yep... definitely feel it coming on...polecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293284921429573528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-80528619245059244572015-09-03T22:40:22.974-04:002015-09-03T22:40:22.974-04:00In an interview I did with Westlake back in 1986, ...In an interview I did with Westlake back in 1986, he told me he wrote this book in 11 days. Ironic considering the title.Wallace Strobyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18106537140783513253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-26879595905419255242015-09-03T18:28:09.844-04:002015-09-03T18:28:09.844-04:00I picked up a copy of Pity Him just last Monday. N...I picked up a copy of Pity Him just last Monday. Not the same one. I imagine that edition is even harder to get on this side of the Atlantic.Matthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04695983348254508387noreply@blogger.com