Book of the Week: Richard Price's "Lush Life"

Richard Price is one of the rare authors who has achieved fame and accolades as a literary writer, while working solidly within the crime tradition. Like George Pelecanos (his fellow alumnus of The Wire), Price brings incandescent prose, razor-sharp dialogue and depth of characterization to bear in a crackling crime story -- and the results are pure genius. Set almost entirely within a few square blocks on Manhattan's Lower East Side, Lush Life is the story of a young man's murder and its aftermath. As the police investigate the case, Price probes deeper and deeper into his characters -- cops, cons and victims alike -- laying bare their souls on the page. Few writers have the imagination, understanding and skill to bring such diverse characters to life as Price does. The plot is a simple one, but the way Price utilizes his amazing cast gives such depth and nuance to the story that the reader can't help but be riveted. Easily one of the best literary achievements of the year.

Comments

[Guyot]

He is one of the best writers, crime or otherwise, out there.

[David J. Montgomery]

I absolutely agree about Price... And his career makes me wonder.

Authors are pushed to produce a book a year -- it's a mantra of the publishing industry that's almost impossible for writers to resist.

But Price has only published 3 novels over the last decade: Freedomland (1998) Samaritan (2003) and Lush Life (2008).

All 3 have been critically acclaimed bestsellers.

Would his books have been as good if he'd been forced to maintain a strict book-a-year schedule? Probably not.

So it makes me think... Would more of today's good writers become great if they worked longer on each book? Or would it make no difference?

(Obviously, there's no answer for this...But I wonder.)

[Guyot]

Well, I've proven on this site that I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I honestly believe that most writers would produce better books if they had more time.

So many second novels stink because the writer spent two, three, five years working on that first one that sold, then suddenly they were told to have another one ready in ten months.

Someone who's never worked with a deadline in their life. How can quality come from that?

And there are more writers than you think who do not do the book-a-year thing. Yes, it's the norm, and yes, most houses are going to demand it of a new author, but there are exceptions.

I'm sure someone smarter than me will come here and say that more time = more picking apart and second guessing of one's work, but that's really not a time issue, that's a discipline issue.

Price and Tan and another big name that is escaping me right now, have all said they can't produce the kind of book they demand of themselves in a year.

And I'm one reader who's glad they don't try.

[Elaine Flinn]

I am so mezmerized by Price (and always have been) - and Lush Life - that I've limited myself to one chapter each evening. There are few writers (living) that I read that way...

[I.J.Parker]

And here I have been depressed that most of the other authors seem to work to deadlines after signing a contract on a mere sketchy proposal.
Well, I know I couldn't work that way, but it is nice to wanted.