Comments on: Books

By: T Sandoval

T Sandoval — Mon, 24 May 2010 00:27:16 +0000

Despite what I mentioned earlier, “Monster” was the only of A Lee’s books where I felt the vulgar language was out of place. I have since read ” Gil’s..”, ” In the company of Ogres”, “Too Many Curses” and “A Nameless Witch”.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I thought the language was a bit jarring from the story itself, then I just realized, I wasn’t overly thrilled with the story itself. It’s ok, but not nearly as good as “In the Company of Ogres” or “A Nameless Witch” and ” Gil’s All Fright Diner” I swear is a couple of guys my dad hangs out with. The characters are depicted very well.

The language and sexual references (in those stories that applies too, in these books listed do not jar one out of the story and are very much in context with the characters.

Yes, he does close the stories well enough to not require a sequel, which he professes to disdain, but the characters are often so compelling that you are left wanting to know more about them anyway.

Yes, Mr. Lee (hearken back to an old Bobbettes song if you will) I have definitely become an admirer of your books and intend to track down those remaining that I haven’t read yet.

By: Fa'an

Fa'an — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:04:52 +0000

I don’t generally get paperbacks. I picked it up to read before I walked into the cafe, and went through damn near ten cups of coffee.
The clever banter mixed in with the vulgar language made my cup of tea, or rather coffee hehe
Its been five days since I bought that book and I’ve already caved in, I’m going to buy the rest tomorrow night. I wonder if there all good though, it would be unfortunate to get a bad book….I’ve already put you up on such a high pedestal lol

By: xanadu2300

xanadu2300 — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:22:11 +0000

I am always looking for new authors. I came across Gil’s All Fright Diner via a recommendation and devoured in in a day. I immediately started reading A Nameless Witch. I love it when I find a new author that I can really sink my teeth into. You’re funny as hell and spin a good tale. I want to have your babies. Unfortunately, we are both male and I despise children so I guess that’s not in the cards. Keep writing and I’ll keep reading. Can’t wait to read the next one. I just can’t decide which one that will be…

By: J.D. Hailey

J.D. Hailey — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:01:49 +0000

You are an amazing author, my man. Love your stuff and hope you keep it coming. When I find a writer I enjoy, I consume his or her work voraciously, often re-reading several times to capture every nuance (so make sure to have plenty of nuance(s)). Monster needs a sequal, by the way. He is too cool a guy to be a one-hit-wonder.

By: Ross

Ross — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 07:50:24 +0000

I see that Gil’s is lined up to be made by the people of Dreamworks. Any chance that Monster makes it to the big screen? I have read all your books and I think that it would make the best film. Keep the great literature coming.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:00:15 +0000

Thanks for replying to my question. Its very nice to actually have you here commenting and answering questions. I can see what you mean about it being a different world and Monster himself. Lets chalk this up to the fact that I had just finished the book in one sitting when I posted that. I just did not want that grumpy bastard to go away. Thank you for the reply and the stories. I have read a few more of your books since then and am really looking forward to Divine Misfortune.

I am undecided on whether I love you or hate you for having a preview chapter in your books. Suppose its a little column A column B thing.

By: spredo

spredo — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:07:03 +0000

So much praise, so you will probably not be too heartbroken if I offer some criticism?
I read “In the company of ogres”, and sort of liked it. But it was something about it…
Then I stopped reading, as the next books (or former) did not seem to appeal to me. I don’t know why.
Then I picked up “Monster”. And read it. Some of it was funny. Some of it was really funny.
But I did make the mistake of visiting your blog before I had finished the book. And I read what you said about “TOO MANY CURSES”, about you being proud of writing a novel without any real “shift” in characters, and no romance, and that being the point. Then it struck me. What I had problems with in “In the company…”
I read the rest of “Monster”, with this thought in the back of my mind. Stuck, couldn’t get it out. I was expecting the same feeling I had when I finished “In the company…” And I got it. It might have been because I was expecting it. But I don’t think so.
The “problem” was that the stories seemed too much like “this happened, and then we went back to nothing (i.e. our ordinary lives)”. No closure, just “back to normal”.
So, you may be very satisfied you managed to write “too many curses” without any “shift” in the characters and no romance, but me personally, I am a bit dissatisfied that I feel you managed the same in “In the company…” and “Monster”.
I still might pick up your next book, though. Two books may not be enough to make a viable conclusion.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:53:04 +0000

I have been trying to pick up Monster for weeks. I finally found it yesterday and, to my complete lack of surprise, I couldn’t sleep till I finished it. Bloody good stuff. As always. You have definitely moved into my top five list of favorite authors. Thank you for your work

By: A. Lee Martinez

A. Lee Martinez — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:04:31 +0000

No plans for one yet. Probably not that surprising since I’m pretty clear how I feel on sequels. I wouldn’t rule it out, but I also think that Monster is a character / setting I’m not sure is worth exploring more. Monster himself is a pretty down-on-his luck guy with a generally bad attitude, and that could get old pretty quick. Also, the world of monster is changed so radically by the end of the novel, that it would become something quite different in the long run.

I don’t rule anything out, but Monster is probably at the bottom of the list of books I’d consider writing a sequel for. But time will tell.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:27:18 +0000

Will we see another Monster book?