Customer Reviews

The black mountain: A Nero Wolfe novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm the narrator of all the Nero Wolfe books from Audio Partners which you're listing on your website. I've just noticed that you list my recordings of THE BLACK MOUNTAIN, FER-DE-LANCE, THE GOLDEN SPIDERS, and WHERE THERE'S A WILL as abridged. Please note that these recordings are all actually UNabridged. It may make a difference with potential purchasers. Thanks.

Someone has murdered Nero Wolfe's best friend Marko, owner of Rusterman's, the only restaurant Wolfe will frequent. More than food is at stake -- Marko and Wolfe share a mysterious history in their birthplace, the mountains outside Sarajevo. Marko is one of the very few who Archie has heard call Wolfe by his first name. Wolfe sets out to find the murderer and the adventure leads back to the Black Mountain, the place of his origin. Wolfe puts out more physical exertion in this one book than in all the others put together, which is one of its charms. But what really works for me is that he casts Archie in the role of his son for the sake of their cover story -- bringing to the front some of the subtle aspects of their "normal" relationship in the old brownstone. It's a stretch for everyone -- readers included -- but the emotional borders are widened as in no other Nero Wolfe novel, and the result is extremely satisfying. Stout's brilliance has, in my opinion, al! ways resided in great measure in his ability to suggest the emotions of his characters through a small action or phrase that lets the reader in without spelling it all out. In "The Black Mountain" Stout has brought to the surface the truth of the Archie/Wolfe relationship in full color with absolutely no pandering, and no cheapness.

There are more flaws in the plot than in my golf swing, but because of the theme, the setting, the emotion, and the close constant interaction between Wolfe and Archie I loved it.

While I greatly enjoyed reading the Black Mountain, it was, in part, the fact that it was so different from the other novels that I found it fascinating. Throughout the series there are somewhat vague references to Wolfe's life before coming to the U.S. This novel fills in much of that back-story, and gives the avid fan a better idea of what makes Wolfe tick. However, I would have to agree with reviewers who don't recommend this book to someone new to the series. It is not consistent with the rest of the novels in the series in setting or tone, and is best enjoyed by those who appreciate the difference, as well as the additional insights into Wolfe's character and background.

If you're new to Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe, you couldn't pick a worse place to start. However, if you already have an appreciation for the Nero/Archie banter and the nuances of the relationships with the minor characters, then you'll enjoy seeing them painted on a very different canvas, as far from the brownstone as they ever got.

This book is neither as bad as the 1- and 2-star reviews suggest, nor as good as the 5-star reviews (including that of the audiobook's narrator, oddly) claim. I enjoyed it, but only because I've made my way through 80% of Stout's Nero Wolfe novels and novellas. As others have noted, Mr. Pritchard's voice and flat accent doesn't match up to those in the late, lamented A&E series.

this is a must have for anyone who is a fan of the nero wolfe stories. it give a look at nero's past before he became a detective. it also places archie in unfamiliar situation of being dependent on nero for information--archie doesn't speak the language, so nero has to translate! it is a fun look at the relationship between the two.

As a Nero & Archie fan for many years, I was delighted to see the Nero Wolfe novels become available on the Kindle -- and I would buy every one of these mysteries if it weren't for other readers' reports about typos and inept proofreading. Rex Stout deserves better treatment from his publishers.

I have read all but one Rex Stout Nero Wolfe book. I admit to being a Wolfe addict but this one I almost did not read given its premise-in this case I was not prepared to believe six impossible things before breakfast. No reviewer mentioned that Wolfe's adopted daughter was actually murdered near the "Black Mountain" in the title. This finally gets Wolfe moving but perhaps if he had been more reasonable when his daughter met with him she might still be alive. Unless you decide to read every Wolfe novel by Stout, I suggest you give this one a pass and read some of his best many of them among his earlier books.

It takes the murder of his closest friend to get Wolfe up; not only out of his chair but out of the country. Returning to Montenegro, Wolfe pursues the killer, amidst political intrigues and endless travels across unfriendly territory. The problem is what should prove to be a thrilling tale of vegeance becomes a travelogue from hell. Archie is along for...I'm not quite sure why he's there. He does a lot of standing around in the middle of a lot of dialogue he needs to have translated. The reversal of Archie's role is incredibly ineffective and this one once again proves that Wolfe is best behind his desk.

Unobtrusive but strong narration. One of the best Nero Wolfe stories - strong on character and plot.