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Read The Widening Gyre (1992)

The Widening Gyre (1992)

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Genre
Series
Rating
3.93 of 5 Votes: 1
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ISBN
0440195357 (ISBN13: 9780440195351)
Language
English
Publisher
dell

The Widening Gyre (1992) - Plot & Excerpts

Sometimes, things that look too good to be true are too good to be true. In this case, the wife of a Senate candidate is just that. Indeed, my immediate impression as I started reading this book on my regular commute was that this plot was going to give Parker a chance to blast the right-wing candidate espousing traditional Judaeo-Christian morality. Indeed, I was certain of this because I was well aware of Spenser's opinions of theism in general and traditional sexual ethics in specific.Sometimes, even an experienced reader is wrong. I was right in my initial evaluation of Ronni Alexander, but I was very wrong in my premature judgment of Spenser. His response to Ronni's provocation is temperate, just, and ultimately satisfying.I was also certain that I knew who was behind the plot to sabotage Meade Alexander's senatorial campaign (which is, after all, the "mystery" in this book that cannot be summarized as a "murder mystery" in any way). I felt certain that Spenser would find some creative leverage, but I was neither prepared for the aftermath of that confrontation nor the underlying story as it came out. Somehow, the relationship between the one I was certain was behind the plot and the one who was actually behind the plot was able to resonate with me and satisfy my suspension of disbelief in the neat package that Parker was able to tie together at the end. I felt like all of the characters were true to the original perceptions the author penned for our benefit.Also, since I was preparing a lecture on the basis for ethics in games and cinema during the couple of days I read this novel on the train, I was delighted to read the most succinct view of Thomas Hobbes' ethics I've ever read. One of the characters says, "But consciously and rationally, I try to do what serves me most at least cost to others." (p. 123) That seems to suggest a self-interested social contract, the kind of ethic that most philosophers seem to think will work in a pluralistic society. I'm not so sure. It seems like that "least cost to others" part requires a bit of judgment (discernment? wisdom?) that most humans aren't truly capable of making on their own. It seems like that ethic can only work when most humans feel some kind of Kantian (or Biblical, if you will) moral obligation and society forms some kind of restraint or force to keep those who don't from taking advantage of those who do. So, even though I was stimulated by the succinctness of the suggestion, I wasn't completely convinced.This was stimulating fiction that helped me understand how the Spenser series became such a big hit...while I was "sleeping."

Spenser is hired as a security man for Meade Alexander’s election campaign, but fairly quickly he’s embroiled in a blackmail plot concerning Mrs Alexander’s raunchy, extra-curricular activities and finds himself pitted against a Senator and a Boston crime boss. Another cracking novel from Parker (and sharing some of the sleazy, unpleasant aspects of the previous book in the series ‘Ceremony’), this zips along at a real pace, with some beautifully curt descriptions and a fine line in humour. It takes place over Thanksgiving (making it a year on from ‘Ceremony’) and Susan has gone, though there’s no real explanation of it until Paul Giacomin comes to stay. This leads to a stand-out scene, a superbly written Thanksgiving meal, where Spenser gets slowly drunk on whiskey and Paul reveals that he and Susan are the only ones who can penetrate Spenser’s heart (she does appear, later on). Getting older and being loved is a key theme - when Spenser sees a bit of the tawdry gangbang, Parker comments that the small signs of ageing make people more real and the following sequence, when Spenser speaks to Cynthia Knox, one of the gangbanged ladies, it’s touchingly written and his last line is quite beautiful. Weirdest of all, though I shouldn’t have been surprised, is that although the book is thirty years old, a lot of the political stuff could easily have been written about the US elections this year. A great story, excellent writing, with some real emotional problems for Spenser to deal with, this is a superb read and very highly recommended.

What do You think about The Widening Gyre (1992)?

When a state representative is getting blackmailed with a film of his wife having sex with another man, he hires Spenser to get to the bottom of things for him. But when Spenser learns the man's identity, he's bitten off more than he can chew, especially with him preoccupied with Susan Silverman being out of town.I was needing a quick read before taking on another fantasy read and The Widening Gyre fit the bill. It got the job done.The book started slow, with Spenser moping because Susan Silverman was out of town. Even when Susan's not around, she manages to suck the life out of things. Anyway, Spenser gets on a security detail for a state representative with an alcoholic wife and things spin out from there. Spenser did some great detective work when he wasn't pining for Susan in this one, gradually piecing together the identity of the blackmailer and then stirring up a hornet's nest when he finds out who the man's father is. There isn't a whole lot of action in this one but when it comes, Parker makes it count. So yeah, I only gave this a three despite enjoying the shit out of parts of it. Firstly, there was very little Hawk. Secondly, there was way too much of Spenser and Susan discussing their relationship when they finally crossed paths again halfway through the book. Are there people out there who actually enjoy Susan Silverman having such a large role in the books?Despite the abundance of Susan and lack of Hawk, I still enjoyed this book for the most part. 3.5 out of 5.
—Dan Schwent

Weak 3 stars. Not as good as others in the series. My mind wandered at times.Here’s a term I hadn’t heard - granny sex. Sleazebag invites 40-something women to his home for sex orgies with college boys. A two-way mirror allows others to watch, take pictures and laugh. The older women have sags and wrinkles that 20-somethings don’t. That was unsettling. Two of these sex scenes are briefly described - no details.As to plot, characters, and actions - nothing really grabbed me, nothing memorable, not as much wit or humor as in prior books.The narrator Michael Prichard was very good.DATA:This is book #10 in the Spenser series.Narrative mode: 1st person Spenser. Unabridged audiobook length: 4 hrs and 3 mins (192-196 pages). Swearing language: strong but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: two described, but without detail. Setting: current day Boston, Mass and Washington, D.C. Book copyright: 1983. Genre: PI mystery.
—Jane Stewart

Pretty good book with the subject as timely today as ever: corruption and hypocrisy in politics.Spenser's doing some introspection here, in fact, a lot more than usual. He doing some self examination since Susan is moving forward with getting her Ph.D. in psychology and Spenser resents her being away. He loves her but tries to understand himself and his feelings without her closer to him. Young Paul, from an earlier book, makes a brief appearance and opens a door to Spenser psyche which Spenser explores.Not much in the way of 'kick ass' and Hawk makes only a brief appearance but still a good read especially if a reader is following Spenser like I've (and Jeff) have been doing.When I find a writer I like more than others, I always read a biographical sketch and will find (if there is one) a Parker bio and read it. What little I know though is that Parker and Joan, his wife, separated for a couple of years and when they got back together they had one floor which was Parker's, another which was Joan's and still another which was 'theirs' and was probably a kitchen and living room area. Just guessing on that one. It's obvious an author's experience is reflected in his/her writing, I wonder how much in Parker's case? After I read a bio of Parker (providing, of course, that there is one) in my spare time I might compare the dates of his published books with his personal life. After publishing some books, he did go back to school and received his Ph.D. in English literature and his written words, his phasing, shows his notable education. No question about that. This book though tells a lot about Spenser's psyche and how he attempts to resolve his personal issues with Susan's desire to further her education. I hope they never marry though, because I want him for myself...I'm selfish that way. Other than his minor indiscretion, which unfortunately I've never forgiven him for, he's my kind of guy. Witty and literary and knows the proper wine to order with dinner. What more could a woman ask for? Oh, yeh, forgot about that minor indiscretion...I'll have to do more thinking about it before I commit. Spenser married with kids? Oh my, how could he solve all the problems which land on his desk with a wife and kids at home? Nope, would rather he continue as he is, overthinking about love.
—Cathy DuPont

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