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Why I Love Rex Stout
Jan. 18th, 2010 04:00 pmI am a huge fan of Rex Stout, especially his mystery novels featuring Nero Wolfe. I like the books because they are more than the standard private eye fare: there is a fundamental soundness and goodness to them. Nero Wolfe is cranky, obstinate, obdurate, set in his ways, and arrogant...and also brilliant. Archie Goodwin is urbane, takes orders, but never fawns over his employer.
The characters are complex, the plots workable and plain (once you reach the end)...but what really gets to me is the insight into humanity and the wealth of superb use of the English language.
The line that got to me today: Nero Wolfe is not in his office in the brownstone where he lives; he is meeting with top Army officials on a matter of national importance, it being in the middle of World War II.
He has heard of the death in battle of a Colonel's son. Upon introduction, he offers his condolences, and then adds, "I would hold up your heart if I could."
I would hold up your heart if I could.
The characters are complex, the plots workable and plain (once you reach the end)...but what really gets to me is the insight into humanity and the wealth of superb use of the English language.
The line that got to me today: Nero Wolfe is not in his office in the brownstone where he lives; he is meeting with top Army officials on a matter of national importance, it being in the middle of World War II.
He has heard of the death in battle of a Colonel's son. Upon introduction, he offers his condolences, and then adds, "I would hold up your heart if I could."
I would hold up your heart if I could.
