tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post5107593895037323198..comments2024-03-24T11:34:36.903-07:00Comments on Bitter Tea and Mystery: "Fourth of July Picnic" by Rex StoutTracyKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-64979227847306871312015-07-05T14:44:09.727-07:002015-07-05T14:44:09.727-07:00It was a fun story for the Fourth of July, Moira. ...It was a fun story for the Fourth of July, Moira. And I probably loved it the first few times I read it.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-15597044120819384932015-07-05T14:41:12.375-07:002015-07-05T14:41:12.375-07:00Well, a nice choice for the holiday even if it wa...Well, a nice choice for the holiday even if it wasn't his finest work.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-53899321004331226092015-07-05T09:26:05.837-07:002015-07-05T09:26:05.837-07:00Col, I think a Nero Wolfe novel is a better choice...Col, I think a Nero Wolfe novel is a better choice for you, although some Rex Stout fans think the novellas are just as well plotted.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-12647611325155730682015-07-05T09:24:45.858-07:002015-07-05T09:24:45.858-07:00Very well said, Kathy. Although I like the Nero Wo...Very well said, Kathy. Although I like the Nero Wolfe stories no matter where they find Wolfe, I will agree that the ones set in the brownstone are the most fun because of the all the routines (as Bill mentioned) and seeing his home life, which is always entertaining.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-60121375933714211362015-07-05T09:22:42.797-07:002015-07-05T09:22:42.797-07:00Margot, when it comes to Rex Stout I am biased, bu...Margot, when it comes to Rex Stout I am biased, but I agree with what you say wholeheartedly.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-55737827048742730272015-07-05T09:21:42.378-07:002015-07-05T09:21:42.378-07:00Prashant, you enjoy and see the good in so many ty...Prashant, you enjoy and see the good in so many types of writing, I know you will appreciate Rex Stout when your read one of his books or stories. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-78740194167670560732015-07-05T00:03:49.635-07:002015-07-05T00:03:49.635-07:00Happy holiday (belated!) - I haven't been temp...Happy holiday (belated!) - I haven't been tempted to try this collection, but I will read a Stout one day!col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-61262609423585965562015-07-04T22:58:57.755-07:002015-07-04T22:58:57.755-07:00Yes, Stout at his weakest is better than many writ...Yes, Stout at his weakest is better than many writers' works.<br /><br />I think that Nero Wolfe does best when he's at home in his study or in his orchid room upstairs or harassing Fritz in the kitchen about how many juniper berries to use. That is his element and he is at his most incisive and wittiest.<br /><br />Wolfe is an agoraphobic and if he has to leave his house, he has panic attacks. So, he isn't at his best.<br /><br />When he is in his brownstone's study with the suspects lined up, Wolfe is at his finest.<br />He takes no prisoners. He puts everyone on the spot until he announces the perpetrator(s).<br /><br />The orchids, the gourmet meals, the beer, the study, all of Wolfe's habits make for fun for the readers/fans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-11591454547695786212015-07-04T07:13:18.763-07:002015-07-04T07:13:18.763-07:00Nice choice for today, Tracy. I agree with you tha...Nice choice for today, Tracy. I agree with you that not all of Stout's work is his very best. But even so, I think Stout at his weakest is better than a lot of people's at their best...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-83690760295711931912015-07-03T23:14:39.182-07:002015-07-03T23:14:39.182-07:00Tracy, I think Rex Stout is going to haunt me unti...Tracy, I think Rex Stout is going to haunt me until I read at least one of his books. Thanks for the reminder again.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-71080626367455703962015-07-03T22:21:36.573-07:002015-07-03T22:21:36.573-07:00Bill, the regularity of Wolfe's life is appeal...Bill, the regularity of Wolfe's life is appealing. I like routine, but work and other demands often get in the way. Even Wolfe has to break his routine when he has to work on a case to support his lifestyle. Doesn't apply in this case though.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4167054806459662988.post-48329640537120399612015-07-03T21:08:45.714-07:002015-07-03T21:08:45.714-07:00TracyK: Nero and Archie have penetrated my mind. T...TracyK: Nero and Archie have penetrated my mind. They are among the few sleuths I can see in my head and know how they would speak in different situations. I sometimes dream of the regularity of Wolfe's life with beer and books and fine dining and orchids. My life is so messy. I am constantly in a rush and there is no routine. Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.com