Customer Reviews

Pastime

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here we are up to the 18th novel in Robert B. Parker's Spenser series and we finally get to find out a whole lot of interesting things about our hero's past. Ten years earlier in "Early Autumn," Spenser saved Paul Giacomin from a destructive family situation and basically adopted the boy. Now Paul shows up to report that his mother is missing and he wants the help of his surrogate Father in finding her. As Paul tries to deal with what his mother means to him, Spenser reveals key details from his own life, raised out west by a father and two uncles, to both Paul and Susan. Like us, they are both fascinated to find out more about the history of the most important man in their lives.

Ultimately the mystery of what happened to Paul's mother means Spenser again crosses paths with mobster Joe Broz, his inept son Gerry and his right-hand man Vinnie Morris in what proves to be a final reckoning for them all. It is by combining this plot line with the search for Paul's mother as the context in which we discover the secrets of Spenser's past that "Pastime" is elevated to the top rank of Parker's novels. In many ways I consider this novel to be the height of the Spenser series rather than "A Catskill Eagle," because while it is not as epic in scale, "Pastime" is more true to the essence of the character of Spenser and has much more depth. Although the book starts off as a son's search for his mother, ultimately "Pastime" is about fathers and sons. But if you read just one Spenser novel this is not the one to read, because you simply cannot appreciate it unless you have along for the ride from the very start.

This was another strong effort from Robert Parker. As entertaining as always, there is an added layer of depth to this one as Parker explores the relationships between father and son. There is an interesting parallel between the Spenser/Paul relationship and the Joe Broz/Gerry Broz relationship.

If you are looking for Spenser the "private investigator" you only get about half of the equation. There is plenty of "private" stuff, but not much of an "investigation" as Spenser and Paul go about the relatively easy task of finding Paul's mom who has been missing for a couple of weeks. But you DO get plenty of what we love the most: Spenser wit, Spenser justice, and Hawk, too.

This sequel to Early Autumn (1980) truly shows how Spenser (and Parker) have improved over the years.

This is a sharp turn from the last Spenser novel. Instead of annoying women, there's real warmth and personality. Susan starts by getting "Pearl" from her ex-husband. Spenser names her Pearl after a dog of his youth. Paul comes along, wanting to find his mother. We run into Vinnie, who's looking for the mother's boyfriend, Rich, for Joe Broz. Vinnie actually warns Spenser to be careful - Rich is a friend of Joe's kid, Jerry, who they both feel is a "bad apple".

The story is not only about this search, but also about Paul thinking about his past and Susan probing into Spenser's past. We hear about how Spenser's mom died giving him birth, and he grew up with his dad and two uncles in Laramy, WY. They moved out when he was a teenager to Boston. They hunted in Maine, when he had his first drink. They all boxed and taught him how to box. His "only other love" was a high school sweetheart that he was too shy to move on. It's sort of the book to "fill Spenser out" as a person.

Very interesting on many levels. It's good after so long to hear what made Spenser the way he is. You have to ignore minor inconsistancies with what has previously been said about Spenser's past and take this as the truth. But what about "Brenda Loring"? Did he not love her despite dating her for over five years? Ah well.

If you're a Spenser fan, this is not a book to miss!

Paul Giacomin, Spenser's surrogate son, comes to Spenser with yet another problem concerning his mother, Patty. She has vanished without a trace, although it appears that she left voluntarily, as there is no sign of foul play. Spenser and Susan Silverman have also become the custodians of Pearl the wonder dog, who formerly belonged to Susan's ex-husband. Spenser agrees to take the case and the trail quickly puts him on a collision course with gangster Joe Broz and his crazy son Gerry. Patty has run off with Rich Beaumont, a thief who has absconded with over a million dollars of Joe's money. After Spenser has a shoot out with Gerry Broz and some of his goons, Hawk becomes involved and protects Patty and Rich. At the end, Joe orders Gerry to kill Spenser, but Spenser has no difficulty in shooting Gerry in the leg first, sparing his life.

What makes this Spenser story an essential one is that we learn a lot about Spenser's past. His father and uncles raised him, and they split the household and parenting tasks equally. Spenser talks about how strong and tough they were and how they loved him so totally. Spenser and Hawk also talk a bit about their past, how they fought in the ring once, and how Spenser first went to Hawk's aid. Susan also talks openly about the love they have for each other, yet never express. We also learn a great deal about the unusual code of honor between people like Spenser and the criminal elements. Vinnie Morris is a hit man for Joe Broz and he may be sent to kill Spenser. And yet, Vinnie and Spenser can talk to each other as equals, openly discussing the "problem" and ways in which they can perhaps resolve it. This is a fundamental element of the plots of future Spenser novels, so it is essential that it be understood.

This story shows Spenser at his finest, hard enough to kill a man with no remorse or sympathy. Yet, he is very tender to Pearl and shows mercy to Gerry Broz, a man who would have shot him in the back if he had ever been given the chance. It is one of the best Spenser novels.

Mr. Parker says that he was surprised at the consecutive years of success that Spenser and his posse have enjoyed. Well. Mr. Parker didn't use the phrase "posse" although he could. He'd probably have Hawk utter it while they were doing 225 pound bench presses . . . . to warm up and Spenser would (with a straight face) ask Hawk if that was one of the code words of a downtrodden minority that signaled silent resistance and alienation by the oppressed peoples. And Hawk would finish his 15th rep and say "yeah, boss."

Thing about Spenser and Hawk is that they fit. And together they are both navigators and soothsayers, bringing us like Mentor and Telemachus and Odysseus on an incredible, never ending voyage.

I get a kick out of some of the reviews that say "not his best" or "he's done better," as if we need to compare one Spenser work with a subsequent one. Or an earlier one.

It's the work, man. The whole ball of wax. Not making out with Susan in one and being angry with her in another. That's the story.

Robert B. Parker, I am convinced, has never just mailed it in, a crime of greed infecting far too many authors who see a cash cow and just, well, mail it in. You know who they are.

5 stars. Larry Scantlebury. But I still hate that damn dog.

This book provides closure to the door left open by Early Autumn. Paul returns to the forefront as he and Spenser seek his wayward mother. The theme of this novel is parenthood...Paul and Spenser...the Brozs...Spenser and his father (and the uncles)...even Spenser and Susan and their "baby" Pearl. The underlying quest/adventure is good but the real draw for Spenser fans is a look back into the detective's youth. The story of the young Spenser's encounter with the bear alone is worth the price of the book. My second favorite Spenser novel; I'll let the readers of this review guess what the first is.

Loved it! The plot is involving, the action is exciting, and best of all, the backstory is important, intriguing and holds it all together. Paul Giacommin is back, as is his mother, and their relationship leads Spenser to explain a bit of his own family dynamic to Susan (and us). I include his relationship with Hawk in that, as he has become family to Spenser. Speaking of families, the Broz crime family turns out to be a family in more ways than one. And, best of all, this is the book where we meet the beloved Pearl. As an animal lover, I did cringe every time Spenser brought Pearl along on his adventures. If there's any opportunity that fighting might break out, I think the precious "Baby" is better off left at home.

I have thirty-five novels of Parker's Spenser novels, most of which I have read. "Pastime" is, in my opinion, undoubtedly the best of all the novels I have read. It is a shame he died last year because he was still producing good novels among those of his later years, not "Pastime" which is an earlier effort. It is not worth comparing the Jesse Stone or Sonny Randall books, I have never been able to figure out why he wrote them; if he thought he had a story to tell inappropiate for Spenser then write it as an independent novel; he did this in a series of his westerns. Could he have written another story as well or as compelling or as insightful as "Pastime" in another venue? We will never know.
I think "Pastime" draws some of its interest from the small portions doled out in parts of the book about Spenser's origin. The Wyoming start is outlined broadly in just a few short sentences which, if collected in a single paragraph would have lacked the impact they gathered in the way they were presented, as explanations for some of his presnt behavior and personality. It also served as an explanation, as opposites, for Paul Giacomin's behavior and drives. Some of it was questionable, such as the four men coming East to help form more of Spenser's personality in a fitting manner, to a better purpose.
The general plot was a search for Paul's mother, with no income generated in the doing. Three people were contrasted, not in side-by-side comparison but in developing the story. There was Spenser as one, Paul as two, and the crime lord's son, Gerry, as the third and the contrast in all three and how they developed. The plot itself was rather thin, almost an afterthought, as the main pupose definitely seemd to be an analysis of personalities and there was no real ending to the search, Paul's mother was found fairly early but the story went on, with Spenser singled out as a target for the criminals involved. The ending here was foreseeable and trite, no suspense, no mystery and very little interest generated, not even in the master criminal's actions. So why did I give it a five star rating? Forget the plot and study the characters. Parker developed his characters in this novel much better than in any of his other works, so go with the flow. It is worth reading and helps in reading the other novels as well.

Robert B. Parker's Spenser series is one of my favorite series. Always good, great humor, very cool characters and tremendous dialogue. This is the 18th edison and a follow up to EARLY AUTUMN but stands alone too. Best to read any series in order, my opinion. This story deals with Paul Giacomin, who Spenser treats like a son. Paul's mother is missing and Spenser need to help him find her. Of course Hawk and Susan are back and so is Joe and Gary Broz. Really a good novel; one of the best and we get info on Spenser's background. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I've read most of Robert B. Parker's books, and this is definitely one of the better ones. This novel is technically a sequel to an earlier novel called EARLY AUTUMN, but you don't have to read that book to enjoy this one.

The plot of this novel is nothing special, but PASTIME is unique because it reveals a lot of details about Spenser's early life. This novel also marks the first appearance of Pearl the Wonder Dog, who has appeared in many subsequent Spenser books. Parker obviously loves dogs, and the passages of this novel describing Pearl's behavior are very funny.

I'm not a huge fan of most of the Spenser books after 1990, but this is definitely one of the stronger ones. If you like Parker's writing style, you should find this book a lot of fun, and it's short enough to read in one sitting.