Tell Me What You're Reading No. 44: Erica Obey - The Brooklyn North Murder + Rabbit Holes Galore
Our discussion about Erica Obey’s mystery novel, the Brooklyn North Murder, turned into a discussion of The Typology of Detective Fiction, by Bulgarian-French historian, philosopher, and literary theorist Tzvetan Todorov, a discussion about AI bots, their invasion into the publishing industry, plagiarism charges, and what it means for a book to be ghost written. We discussed Mountweazels, the dark web, The Chronicles of Narnia, early 19th century English aristocrat, publisher and linguist, Lady Charlotte Guest, locked-room murder mysteries, plotters and pantsers, and Erica’s “chaotic” writing style. We also conducted a ChatGPT experiment. Rabbit holes abound.
What Erica is Reading
Classic mystery by …
John Dickson Carr was an American author of detective stories, who also published using the pseudonyms Carter Dickson, Carr Dickson, and Roger Fairbairn
Clayton Rawson was an American mystery writer, editor, and amateur magician.
Other References
ClarkesWorld - Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazine
Legendary Sci-Fi Magazine Halts Submissions Amid Deluge of AI-Written Stories
Dazzle Paint, by Erica Obey
A Not-Quite Utopia Where Artists Shared Their Talents NYT
The Typology of Detective Fiction, by Tzvetan Todorov
The Purloined Letter, by Edgar Allan Poe
Tom Clancy Author of the Jack Ryan Novels
Robert Ludlum Was an American author of 27 thriller novels, best known as the creator of Jason Bourne from the original The Bourne Trilogy series.
Lawrence Sanders Was an American novelist and short story writer.
Robert B. Parker The best-selling mystery writer who created Spenser, a tough, glib Boston private detective who was the hero of nearly 40 novels
Ace Atkins Journalist and author; writing the sequels of the Robert B. Parker Spencer for Hire series
What Howard is Reading
I’m reading Alessandro Manzoni’s The Betrothed (“I Promessi Sposi”), sometimes referred to as a cornerstone of Italian culture, language and literature, and an exemplary 19th century historical novel … and it’s really good, Reading this one in small bites over 49 days with an online group (including Tory) hosted by translator Michael Moore and A Public Space, which is an independent nonprofit publisher that, at the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic, created an online book club, APS Together.. Really terrific. Check it out.
The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
Reviews A Preview | The New Yorker | The Wall Street Journal | The New York Review of Books | The Paris Review | City Journal | Independent Institute | Public Discourse Literary Hub London Review of Books
I’m also reading People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I loved her historical novel …Horse, and People of the Book is another deeply researched historical tale. Mixing fact and fiction, it’s about the travels and travails of a Haggadah over five hundred years, from its creation in Spain at the time of the Inquisition to its restoration in Sarajevo at the end of its civil war. Particularly moving as Passover approaches.
People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks
Reviews The New York Times | The New Yorker | The Guardian |The Independent | Balkin Insight | Australian Book Review | NPR | The Seattle Times | Chicago Tribune
My brothers and I have also been reading James Joyce’s epic Ulysses. This one’s gonna take some time and it’s a good thing there are so many podcasts and other sources to explain it all. I understand that many people give up on Ulysses because of its complexity. We are going to try to see it through and to appreciate it as well.
Ulysses, by James Joyce
Review The New Yorker
