|
Early AutumnRobert B. ParkerPublished 1981 |
|
Reviewed and Researched by Lisa Shea
Spenser gets involved with a child custody case between Patty and Mel Giacomin. Paul is the 15-year-old kid, and his parents are using him in an adolescent tug-of-war game. Neither really cares much about Paul, and he's retreated into apathetic shrugs. When Spenser brings Paul back from Mel's, Patty doesn't really care and makes Spenser babysit Paul for the night because she's "busy". Off goes Spenser to read "A Distant Mirror" by Barbara Tuchman.
Spenser feels sorry for Paul and ends up a live-in bodyguard and fends off Buddy and another guy - at which point Paul starts to show some interest in life. Spenser tries to guide him into a better life. Becoming in essence a permanent babysitter while Patty "hides", Spenser teaches Paul how to build a cabin in Maine. He and Susan comment that "It's early autumn for Paul" - that he has to grow up quickly to escape from his difficult parents. Spenser pretty much explains his entire philosophy of life and means of living to both Paul and to the reading audience. He has numerous literary quotes.
Hawk refuses a hit commission on Spenser for only 5K. The two adults take Paul on trips to New York and Boston, and in the end Spenser blackmails Paul's parents so Paul can fulfill his secret dream to go off to Ballet school.
Buy Early Autumn from Amazon.com
Spenser for Hire Master Listing
|
Lisa's Notes A very intersting story; sad to listen to, maybe because I feel so badly for Paul. In fact on this current re-reading of the story my own son is now 14 and I can really feel for the kid. Of course, I have to say that Spenser's story-tale means of fixing it would pretty much NEVER work on a real kid!! Kid's don't just "fix" in 2 months if given "all the love they never got from their parents". Interestingly, while Susan and Spenser were hugely in love 3 books ago, and then Susan wasn't mentioned much for the last 2 books in a row, she is VERY hostile in this one. She's grumpy about her wasted time at a Celtics game with him. She's permed her hair into small curls to go with her big, dark eyes. Maybe the perm made her grumpy. Also, she still knows how to cook - this time cheeseburgers with toasted buns, to go with new Beaujolais. It's too funny - she says "Open it and let it breathe a little". If you did that to a New Beaujolais, you'd get vinegar!! On the other hand, Spenser pokes fun at wine as he tries his beer, thinking, "Perky with a nice finish, no trace of tannins." Hawk is heavy-handed, and figures really in two scenes. One is when Spenser needs backup rescuing Patty. Hawk comes without question for a small fee, not unexpected given Hawk flew to England to protect Spenser's life but a story ago. This leads to another great quote, since the rescue is on the Mass Ave bridge which is measured in "Smoots" - a MIT student's body that was repeatedly laid down across the bridge. During the gunfight, Spenser says, "There was another gunshot from five smoots away" :) :) In another relationship-leap, somehow Susan, who has been "absent" for 2 stories, is a blood-brother of Hawk. While sneering at Spenser for bringing home the in-danger Patty and Paul (something a real Susan would NEVER do), we get the comment that "Susan is the only person Hawk shows feelings about" and the two kiss. Just when did THIS happen?? Sure, Hawk became Spenser's blood-brother in Judas Goat (which in itself was a big leap). But he was absent in Early Autumn. Susan herself was pretty absent in Judas Goat and Early Autumn. So for those two characters to have grown so close is strange. In a later discussion Spenser tells Susan "We're not ordinary people". Given the little time they've been together the last 3 books, I suppose that's true ... At the end Spenser, who previously set 2 guys up to be killed deliberately, won't kill Harry even though he will be a serious threat. Hawk has to kill Harry for Spenser. The book ends with the comment, "Winter's coming." Spenser seems to quote constantly, including: Ozymandias of Egypt by Shelley "Making Ships in a Bottle" - unknown "Ever will thou love and she be fair" - Keats (the actual quote is ""Forever wilt thou love, and she be fair!") "Readiness is All" (a popular Spenser saying, from Hamlet) "Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang" - Shakespeare "Put them together and what have you got?" (Paul says Bibbity Bobbity Boo) What's funny about the last one is that Spenser is shocked Paul would know Cinderella, how could he know it? That's because this took place before VHS and DVD - only people who were KIDS during a real film release would have seen the Disney film. "I could not love thee dear so much loved I not honor more" - Lovelace Paul reads "Catcher in the Rye" based on Spenser's prodding. Spenser's now driving Susan's maroon MGB. Susan bought herself a new big red Ford Bronco.Hawk's driving a Jaguar XJ12. Spenser's got a short S&W .38. |
|
Traveling in Spenser's Footprints * New office on Boylston and Berkeley, over a bank (old one was Mass Ave & Boylston) * Girlfriend Elaine Brooks, Apt #315, Hammond Pond Pkwy in Chestnut Hill * Patty G - Emerson Road, Lexington * Mel G - Chestnut St, Andover, off 114, mile on R, 2 family white hse * Martignetti's on Route 1 for liquor * Horsefeathers restaurant in North Conway, NH * Cottage-building in Fryeburg Maine on Kimball Lake (Susan's from her divorce) * Louis' in Boston for clothes for Paul * Casa Romero for dinner * Harbour Health Club, on waterfront * Faneuil Hall Marketplace * Bar off City Square by Navy Yard with fieldstone * Car lot on Commonwealth by old Brave field - broken down gas station (Harry Cotton) * Sandwich shop on Boylston * Burnt out apt on S end of Chandler Street * New York Hilton * Four Seasons for dinner * Mel's office - private home on side street off Reading Square * Stephen's house - Charles River Park, Boston on Blossom Street |
|
Spenser's Menu and Drinks * Schlitz Beer * Chinese food with Beck's Beer * Peanuts and beer at Garden for Celtics game * New Beaujolais with cheeseburgers SHE makes * Budweiser * Portuguese rose with dinner with Mrs G * Schlits and Becks * Pork medallions in rice while with Paul * Dinners with Mrs G - Blue Nun, Riuniti (white, red, rose), Cold Duck, Lambrusco * 3 bottles of Taittinger Blanc de Blanc (Hawk) and Beck's Beer (Spenser) * Heinekens (claims only because he couldn't get Amstel or Becks) * Carta Blanca beers with Mexican * Moet and Chandon when house is finished - "No need" to shoot the cork |
Buy Early Autumn from Amazon.com
Spenser for Hire Master Listing