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| "The Carolina Parrot," by John James Audubon |
(I've been reading the Preston/Child books for so long--sheesh, something like fifteen years now--that opening their newest Pendergast novel is a little like a reunion with old friends, my two personal favorites of which are, of course, Special Agent A.X.L. Pendergast, FBI, and Lieutenant Vinnie D'Agosta, NYPD. As far as the books themselves are concerned, and with the slight exception of a very few missteps on the authors' parts, the stories are fast, fun, gripping, and surprisingly literary.)
The plot of this particular contribution to the series is bent around the late, great John James Audubon and his treatment of the Carolina Parrot, as well as a lost painting of his called "The Black Frame," so-called because no one knows it's actual subject and, which, if you're interested, is an invention of the authors. As you read this very post (anyone, anyone?) I'm nearing the end of the book (trying to slow down and savor it, for it will be another year or more before their next effort is released in paperback), which happens to be their best in quite a few years. And as before (I'm thinking particularly of one piano composer and savant, Charles-Valentin Alkan), the authors have sparked in me interest in an area, albeit highly specialized, where I'd previously only spent little time.
Regardless of plot and the "literariness" of this particularly esoteric popcorn, the birds and wildlife of Mr. Audubon are fascinating, and, nostalgically speaking, have always held company in my memory and imagination with Norman Rockwell, as both painters were on regular display via gigantic coffee table books at my grandparents' homes.
Nice to see another Prendergast fan. Thanks for the fun read.
ReplyDelete*Pendergast* autocorrect.
ReplyDeleteReading (actually listening to) Fever Dream as I write. I was only peripherally aware of the P&C literary accomplishments until one day opening Relic, the first in their Pendergast series. It was definitely popcorny, but I was hooked and will be sad when I come to the end of the series. So the Black Frame painting is a P&C fiction? Too bad, as I found the idea most intriguing. Thanks for the insight.
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