Needing to read and the most awesome Anithero

So I finished the Wolfe books.

All the ones I could lay hands on, with one exception. Out of 75 novels and short stories there are maybe five or so that I haven’t tracked down, and 1 that I own, but have sworn not to read until I’m in declining days. So about 70 in the course of a year. I actually have a few not by Rex Stout, but on the occasion that I cracked one, the first sentence annoyed me so much I haven’t looked back. All in all, I have to say that the two months spent without a constant supply of Archie and Wolfe were quite a bit like what I imagine drug withdrawal to be- I’ve been unmotivated, tired, and sick. Honestly! In fact, in this break of Wolfe-lessness I not only suffer minor depression and prolonged physical illness- I will in fact be needing surgery soon. Can it possibly be a coincidence? Surely not. (Surgery btw is absolutely terrifying since I’ve never so much as had a broken bone. It shouldn’t entail too much, and all my resentment falls to stupid defective genetics.)

I think it’s perfectly reasonable to say that my quality of life depends on regular exposure to Archie Goodwin’s wonderful narration. I wonder how long I’ll be able to last before I start rereading?

Most of November and December I read nothing- as I mentioned a helluva funk. Friday, being sick I figured a weekend on the couch reading would probably do me good and yes, I’ve had the Franzen forever (which I am reminded of because of tonights rerun of The Simpsons), and plenty of other stuff to read, but just no urge. Not like with the crack Rex Stout. So I hit the bookstore as there’s a few newer things that sort of appeal to me, but it’s going to take a helluva character.

I have one in mind.

Hannibal Rising opens February 9th- less than a month from now. Thomas Harris’ novel was published in December. Which is sort of an insane thing considering how well the Silence of the Lambs follow ups did without concurrent movie productions. I mean come on, it’s Hannibal Lecter- he’s the golden god of anti-heroes. Hannibal is the exaggeration of so much villainy, and the inhuman, that I actually worry about myself because I like him co much. Once you can empathize with a guy who eats people, is there any hope left?

I got a real kick out of Hannibal and Ridley Scott’s version wasn’t bad although I was particularly fond of the way the novel resolves. I was little sad they didn’t go for it in the movie (though the refrigerator scene made my stomach flipflop from teh awesome!). I guess some folks were still holding out for Clarice as the hero, but the discerning fans knew better. ‘Hannibal Rishing’ is pretty much Harris coming back and setting things straight, pulling all the holdouts in. Started and finished it on Saturday- it’s not long just shy of 400 pages- and it’s a lot fun. Completely fitting addition to the mythology of Hannibal Lecter and if you’re a fan it gets my recommend, especially if you like ‘Hannibal’.

What I can’t figure out is why the movie is buried in February, and why the PR has been so low key. The IMDB page has one review of a test screening that sounds promising, but nothing about it is making sense. Haven’t seen a poster, or a trailer in the theater, no TV or magazine spots. Like it doesn’t even exist. Although I could just be missing it, but it’s odd nonetheless considering how much press Scott’s Hannibal got. Once again though, it’s Hannibal Lecter- he’s hard to mess up, so I’ll be looking forward to it.

Now for Nyquil and some Stephenson since I can’t figure out which side of the Danielewski I’m supposed to start with.