Reacher is back!

[andy-hughes]

Joy unconfined!

The new 'Reacher' novel is out - 'Nothing To Lose' and I have it in my hot little hands for immediate consumption.

I shall enjoy this novel like a gourmet manl, but while I do - who do you see in ytour mind's eye when you think about Jack?

For me it's Kevin Spacey - he just seems to fit.

Any advance?

[andy-hughes]

Make that 'meal' - my typing has gone to pot because I am so excited!

[Quizmonster]

The vary same question appeared here a few months ago, Andy, but the search facility seems to have 'died' so I can't provide a link to it.
Back then, I pointed out that, in one of the books, a lady-friend of Jack's described him as - was it a stocking? If not some item of clothing - like a six foot one of whatever it was "stuffed with walnuts". As far as I could see, only Arnold Schwarzeneger seemed to fit the bill!
Enjoy the book...I'll be looking out for it. Cheers

[HJT40]

Love these books myself.

To me he is stockier than Kevin Spacey. more the build of a marine. I don't know if I can honestly think of anyone who would be right to play him in a film. Tall , well built and blond for some reason, but quite weathered.

[andy-hughes]

Memory drifts back now QM - I might have said Kevin Spacey then come to think of it.

HJT40 - I don't think KS would work in a movie - he is not tall or well-built enough, but he comes to my mind when I read.

Hopefully there will be a movie sooner or later - hope they don;t ruin everything!

[Quizmonster]

I suddenly realised I might be able to Google it, Andy</b<, and it turns out she described him as "a six and a half foot condom stuffed with walnuts"...one could, I suppose, describe a condom as 'some item of clothing' or at least something one wears! Cheers

[Quizmonster]

Oh, dear! Sorry about that...only the name was meant to be emboldened.

[andy-hughes]

Hi QM

Is your quote from one of the novels? It's just that the quote is ascribed to Clive James, describing Arnie, as you pointed out, so if it is being quoted, Mr Child has pinched it!

[shaneystar2]

I am going to be a party pooper,sorry ....I have just finished it after waiting ages for it from the library .....I was so looking forward to it and was thoroughly disappointed .
All the others have been really good but this was nowhere near as good as his others . In fact I found myself skipping bits ..have just looked at the reviews on Amazon and it seems I am not the only one who was bored to tears by it .
However I hope you enjoy it as I know you are an avid fan ..would love to hear what you think of it when you've read it .

[Quizmonster]

Andy, re the 'condom' quote, I had never seen/heard any connection of it to Schwarzeneger until I myself made one right here on AB all these months ago!

I'm not much of a cinema-goer, so I've no idea who today's tall, muscled film-actors are, but the Schwarzeneger connection seemed the perfectly obvious one to make as far as I was concerned when someone here asked who should play Reacher.

As to which of Child/James first created the simile, that's presumably a simple matter of dating...ie establishing which of the Child novel/James broadcast was made public first. (There's a little project for someone...might even have a look at it myself later, time permitting.)

Either of these two men could, of course, have heard it at third or fiftieth hand, but - on the face of it - it seems to me more likely that James would have read a Reacher novel than that Child would have seen a James broadcast, if we're thinking of first-hand connections.

I've no idea which novel it appeared in, by the way, but appear it certainly did.

Cheers

[Quizmonster]

A swift Google reveals that it appeared in Tripwire, published in 1999. Now for the James broadcast!

[Quizmonster]

It wasn't a broadcast but a book called Flying Visits and that was published in 1984. So, clearly, James had a 15-year headstart on Child with the 'condom/Schwarzeneger' simile.
Personally, I'd never heard of the book until about five minutes ago, but problem now solved.

[andy-hughes]

As always QM, your knowledge is matched only by your tenacity, and exceeded only by your courtesy and willingness to see the task through to the end.

Thanks for your info.

Are you a Child and / or James fan? I have always said that, as a writer, I would be delerious with joy if I could ever write half as well as Clive James. His 'Observer' TV columns were a model of wit and brevity that have made me cry with laughter - and the knowledge that I will never be that good.

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for your kind comment, Andy...but my wittering on about all of this has possibly dissuaded others from actually answering your question! For that I apologise, though we now know Mr Child is not above borrowing an effective figure of speech!

Yes, I'm a Lee Child fan though I have to confess I've never read a word Clive James ever wrote. I quite enjoyed his early TV work, however.

[andy-hughes]

I can strongly reccomend his collected 'Observer' columns, which came out in two volumes - maybe three - but I think there is an omnibus version now.

Then the first volume of his autobiography will lead you on to the others. His description od sliding across a polished table to light the cigaratte of a lady of his unrequited affection had me crying with laughter.

Enjoy all.

[tickledtrout]

Never read any of these, is it best to read them in order?
Is Reacher a cop?

[andy-hughes]

It is best to read them in order.

Although each story stands alone, background information is chronological, and will make more sense if tthe order is followed.

Reacher was in the army for twelve years, he was a military policeman. Since leaving, he has lived of his pension and savings, with occasional labouring job. he carries virtually nothing with him, and has no home - an attitude that some people feel threatened by, and try to argue with him, Mistake!

Enjoy the books.

[kempie]

I think this may be the link QM was hoping to resurrect...

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Arts-and-Litera ture/Books-and-Authors/Question494242.html

Other 'Jack Reacher' links here...

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Search/Default. asp?CategoryID=18&SearchText=jack+reacher

[Quizmonster]

That's the one, K! Thanks for that. Is the search facility up and running again or am I the only one who hasn't been able to access it for days?
(You did contribute to that thread, Andy, I see!)

[kempie]

Hi QM.

The search facility has been functional (for me at least) since Monday i.e. the inception of this thread.