Mark Rubinstein Blog

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A Study in Scarlet

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Reading “A Study in Scarlet,” one of the early Sherlock Holmes mysteries. It’s quaint and time-bound by the conventions of that era and the writing style of the time.

It’s an interesting read, especially if you enjoy contemporary crime fiction. You see the evolution in detection methods, but also, and even more interesting, the changes in the structure and style of novels over the years.

Every now and then it’s good to take a look back at where things were so you can better understand where things are right now.

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“Breaking Bad” not a novel but a lesson in storytelling

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While “Breaking Bad” is not a novel, it’s disturbing to see how money and commercial interest can interfere with good writing (whether in a novel or another medium). I’ve watched the series since it began and have thought it’s one of the best and most creative series on television.

I recently learned something about television and it’s reflected in “Breaking Bad.” I learned that in order for a series to go into syndication, it must have 100 or more episodes. So, AMC has decided to extend the series by 8 episodes this year, and by another 8 episodes in 2013.

In my opinion, this commerical scenario (the wish to go into syndication) has caused the first two episodes of this year to drag considerably. The writers are not advancing the story in any meaningful way but rather, seem to be prolonging the storyline for the sake of fulfilling the criteria for syndication. The first two episodes were bogged down in meaningless (and sometimes, distracting) detail. And the series is losing much of its punch and now seems to be plodding along.

It demonstrates the malignant role that commercial interests can have in storytelling, whether in a novel or some other medium. It’s sad how money seems so often to affect all art forms.

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The Khmer Kill: A Dox Short Story

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This is the first short story by Barry Eisler I’ve read. Dox, who has appeared in other novels, is the protagonist. At the outset, you know something may be wrong with the assignment Dox is given: to assassinate a man involved in human trafficking in Cambodia.

Once again, Eisler captures the atmospheric reality of the locale. And he keeps the tension going as Dox suspects the assignment is not typical. Dox gets involved with a young, lovely Cambodian student, and has qualms about the relationship keep deepening since he will be leaving in a few days.

And when it comes to the kill, Dox turns out to be a man of deep moral conviction, despite the nature of his profession. Five stars out of five!

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Savages, the Film & Book

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I’ve just seen Oliver Stone’s rendering of Don Winslow’s “Savages.” The film is a wonderful translation of the novel, done with typical Oliver Stone flair: quick cuts, an almost cartoonish touch at appropriate times, and a fast-driven, hard-hitting narrative drive that seems almost electric.

People who see a film often wonder if it’s worthwhile reading the book on which the film is based. In this case, the answer is YES!

The film has its own artistry and is rich in the many ways a film can be. I still contend the book is as rich as contemporary writing can get, but in a hip, stylized and exciting way that’s difficult to describe, especialy if you love language. There are scenes beautifully depicted in the book that can only be visually hinted at in the movie,and Don Winslow’s use of language and style make the book a worthwile read, even if you’ve seen the movie. Don’t miss this book.

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The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes

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Well, of course I’m aware that this one won the Mann Booker prize for fiction, so it was a no-brainer to read. It’s a beautifully written literary novel about an older man’s realizations and regrets as he looks back on his life. His ruminations are set into motion by an incident and the story comes together beautifully. It’s melancholic but not depressing and in some ways, raises more questions about the trajectery of the protagonist’s life than it answers. But the journey is what it’s all about. A must-read for anyone who loves well-written fiction.

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Barry Eisler’s John Rain Thrillers – The Detachment

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I’ve read all the John Rain thrillers over the last few years. They are extremely engrossing. The details of Tokyo and Japanese culture are incredible. Eisler paints pictures of the city and other locales (Europe and the United States) in such a colorful way, it makes you feel you’re actually there.His descriptions of John Rain’s precautionary methods, his shadowy lifestyle, and how Rain carries out his killing assignments are chilling, ingenious, and believable. His relationships with CIA rogues, renegades, and other assassins are drawn with skill and complexity.

Even more complicated are John Rain’s relationships with his lover Midori and with his Mossad agent-lover, Delilah.

In these novels, Eisler got me to experience something I wasn’t certain could happen: I cared deeply about a paid assassin who is a loner and a man without a country and seemingly without a conscience.

The Detachment (John Rain, #7)I recently read The Detachment, the latest John Rain novel, and Eisler managed to keep up the same level of tension and suspense as in the previous stories.

— Mark Rubinstein, author, Mad Dog House (October 2012)
The Detachment

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Savages by Don Winslow – Chillingly Real

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Some of you may have seen previews for the new Oliver Stone film, Savages , based on the 2010 book by Don Winslow. Here’s my review of the book:

Savages Savages is a uniquely creative novel. It’s quirky, filled with ticklish wit and unforgettable descriptions, and beautifully written by the same author who gave us The Winter of Frankie Machine and The Death and Life of Bobby Z, Don Winslow.

It’s the story of two men from Laguna Beach, California–Ben, a genius botanist who grows the finest weed in the world, and his longtime best friend, Chon, who provides the muscle for their boutique enterprise–and they woman they share, Ophelia, otherwise known as “O.” The trio makes for a compelling mix of wit, sex, and brilliant dialogue. There’s a shopping spree (and a sex scene) that cannot be topped by anything in contemporary writing.

When the Mexican Baja cartel decides it wants Ben and Chon to work through them and not independently, the men won’t cooperate. Cartel thugs kidnap O as a bargaining chip, and all hell breaks loose.

In this novel, Don Winslow uses language in a hip and magical way, at times even writing scenes in screenplay format. He conjures images, thoughts, and feelings with a touch that’s so chillingly real, it makes your spine tingle with a mixture of awe, fear, and admiration.

Yes, the bullets fly and blood and guts splatter with abandon, but the heart and soul of the story is the unyielding bond among these three characters and their refusal to yield to the greedy forces that threaten to overwhelm them.

I’m holding my breath waiting to see how Oliver Stone has translated this incredible novel into a film. Savages is a must-read for anyone who loves contemporary writing.

— Mark Rubinstein, author, Mad Dog House (October 2012)

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The Sisters Brothers

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I’ve always loved westerns, from “Shane” to “True Grit.” You know, the whole elemental thing about the Old West, about character, guts, exploration and true-to-life cynicism about people and their greed, motives and predilictions.

In “The Sisters Brothers” Patrick deWitt takes us in a whole new direction. He merges literary style with good old fashioned western elements of violence and frontier sensibility.

Charlie and Eli Sisters are gunslinger brothers hired by The Commodore to find and kill a thief. Narrated by Eli, the story takes unexpected twists and avoids most of the western cliches. Told beautifully, the novel finds its own niche as a gritty yet literary story that should sit right up there in the pantheon of great westerns. It’s funny, sad, realistic and a joy to read. Atmospheric of the 1850s, The Sisters Brothers is as relevent to our times today as any contemporary novel.

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