Comments on: GUEST REVIEW: What’s So Funny by Donald E Westlake

By: Edie Ramer

Edie Ramer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:54:20 +0000

For years I read all of Donald Westlake’s books, and then stopped. I can’t remember why. You reminded me how much I loved his books and what a good writer he is. I’m definitely picking up this one.

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:18:53 +0000

Thanks, Jennifer. I tend to be anal about reading series in order but maybe I will make an exception in this case.

Susan, that’s too funny!

By: Susan/DC

Susan/DC — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 23:00:09 +0000

I read Westlake’s The Ax right after new management had taken over my employer and fired about one-quarter of the company, including me. The book is about a man who loses his job and then murders everyone with his specialized skill set to ensure that he gets the next available opening. Blacker than black humor, but at the time it definitely spoke to me. I considered sending the book anonymously to my former employer’s new CEO but then realized 1) it wasn’t worth the possible jail time and 2) he wouldn’t get it anyway.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:10:30 +0000

Janine — I always like to read a series in order, but some of the older titles like “The Hot Rock” and “Bank Shot” (the first two books) may be hard to find now.

You could definitely start with “What’s So Funny?”. All the major characters are in that one, and you should be able to slip into the series pretty easily. The books stand-alone fairly well, although there are some in-jokes you might not get. I’d also recommend “What’s the Worst That Could Happen?” It’s a classic heist book, and I think it’s the best one in the whole series (so far). ;-)

By: Janine

Janine — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:50:50 +0000

This sounds really good. Jennifer, do you recommend starting the Dortmunder series with What’s So Funny, then?

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:37:23 +0000

Darlynne and Sarah — Yeah! Other Westlake fans. ;-)

Actually, that detective fiction class I took in college was one of my favorites. It introduced me to several writers, including Westlake, and we got to read all the old classics like “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Big Sleep.”

I haven’t read “God Bless the Mark,” but “The Spy in the Ointment” (another non-Dortmunder book) was pretty funny.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:39:31 +0000

I’m so glad to see someone getting the word out about Westlake. He’s one of my favourite authors, and his sense of comedic timing is amazing. I just finished “God Bless the Mark,” which, while dated, is utterly hysterical.

(Darlynne, I work for a mystery bookstore too… it’s a special kind of crazy, isn’t it?)

By: Darlynne

Darlynne — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:19:33 +0000

Jennifer, I’ve read Westlake for years, one of the benefits of working in a mystery bookstore. Many people assume, as they do with Hammett and Chandler, that, yeah, everyone says they’re good, but why bother to read them? Thanks for showing why they should.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:57:17 +0000

Charlene — I’ve only read a couple of Block’s books, mostly the Keller series about the hit man. If you like Block, I’d definitely check out Westlake. He’s too funny to miss! :-)

By: Charlene Teglia

Charlene Teglia — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:23:14 +0000

For some reason, I’ve never read Westlake, although I love comic crime capers (Wodehouse, Lawrence Block). I will go searching for some Westlake!