by John DunningThis is book #3 in The Bookman/Cliff Janeway crime series and it is my favorite, so far. Luckily there are 2 more in the series that I'm looking forward to reading.
Janeway combines his antiques collector knowledge with his muscular tough guy cop persona in hot pursuit of the ultimate dream of every book collector: the undiscovered handwritten copy of a prolific and famous author.
The Bookman's Promise is part book collector's paradise, filled with Dunning's unquestioned knowledge of musty book dens and collector's facts, and part mystery buff's delight as his sleuthing skills go on the hunt for clues that span a century.
I liked this passage about writing and think it could apply to life itself:
I think it was Doctorow who said that about the writing process - it's like driving a car across country at night and all you can ever see is what's immediately in your headlights, but you can make the whole journey that way.Another insight, this time dealing with books and the internet:
A book is a mirror: If an ass peers into it, you can't expect an apostle to look out. That was written two centuries ago by a German wit name Lichenberg, but I think the same applies today to a computer screen.A few other passages that struck me is some way:
"I know it's tough, I said, and felt stupid saying it. She confirmed my stupidity with a frigid look. "You don't know anything," she said, carving me into a Mount Rushmore of dunces.
Bad language is just bad manners, it's a symptom of a bankrupt mind.
Give an idiot a microphone and he's just a louder version of the same old idiot.
No one could have imagined that he'd do this to himself. It only proved that even a great poet like John Donne could be wrong. Every man is indeed an island, and deep personal torments can coexist with all the ingredients of a happy life.
11 comments:
Oh, I like this series two although I didn't think the second was as strong as the first. -Haven't read the third yet.
Glad you are enjoying the series. I hope to give Dunning a try in 2008.
This is a series that I've been wanting to read for a while now. It sounds great. I'll have to try to get a hold of these books for some holiday reading. Thanks for the reminder.
This is not really my genre, but I think I want to try it one of these days. I will have to see if the second hand store has it.
Oh, I've never heard of this series, but you certainly can't go wrong with a book about books! I just love the cover too. Thanks for the recommendation.
Stephanie
www.thewrittenword.wordpress.com
I actually just finished this book and also enjoyed it. I liked the history that it told of the book and the author's life. I will also be picking up additional volumes of this series. I really liked Janeways attitude and approach to life and the "case"
Have a great day!
I put this series on my list back when you posted about Booked to Die. Since you're still enjoying the series at #3, I might need to move that first one up to the 'read soon' category ;-)
As you know, I've enjoyed this series from the very beginning and eagerly await the next installment. The G.C. Lichtenberg quote is one of my favorites; I used to put it on the board in my English classes and leave it most of the year.
Love the mirror and Mt Rushmore quotes. I reallay enjoyed the mystery and the humor in these books.
I enjoyed this too.
I'm not much of a cozy mystery reader but I might have to give these a try.
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