Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Tom Clancy, Dead at 66

I know it's a cliché but I'm shocked, really shocked.  Mr. Clancy was one of my very favorite authors and I've read ALL of his novels... every single one.  From the NYT's obituary:
Tom Clancy, whose complex, adrenaline-fueled military novels spawned a a new genre of thrillers and made him one of the world’s best-selling and best-known authors, died on Tuesday in a hospital in Baltimore. He was 66.

[...]

The critical reception to his novels was gushing from the start. Reviewing “Red Storm Rising” in The New York Times in 1986, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt wrote that the book “far surpassed” Mr. Clancy’s debut novel. 

“Red Storm Rising” is a “superpower thriller,” he wrote, “the verbal equivalent of a high-tech video game.” (Mr. Clancy would eventually venture into video games, which were easily adapted from his novels.) 

Other critics questioned the unwaveringly virtuous nature of many of Mr. Clancy’s heroes, particularly his protagonist Jack Ryan. 

“All the Americans are paragons of courage, endurance and devotion to service and country,” Robert Lekachman wrote in The Times in 1986. “Their officers are uniformly competent and occasionally inspired. Men of all ranks are faithful husbands and devoted fathers.” 
On that last "criticism"... that was one of the things that made Mr. Clancy's books so beloved.  To put it another way... "it's a feature, not a bug."

RIP, Sir.  You'll be missed.

24 comments:

  1. But, but, but......how can an author portray military members as competent and virtuous when their betters in the media know that they are all corrupt, adulterous baby-killers?

    I enjoy Clancy books (and those that followed his lead) because he writes in a way that servicemen and veterans can relate to, and enjoy without being insulted and patronized.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The only two books I read was "Red Storm Rising" and "Clear and Present Danger" and I thought they were real page turners. I didn't read any others though, as the novels were a little too technical for a housewife :-)

    One thing I remembered about those two books, was his "enlisted man" problem. I say problem because I'm searching for a better word. But in RSR he has Marines who are real hero's, but then has to throw in a weather Officer to lead them. Then in CAPD he promotes the hero to a Captain, as if being an enlisted man was a dead-end job.

    Adieu Monsieur Clancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're not the only person who's noticed Clancy's enlisted man problem, Christiane. I've had the same sort of feelings when reading his novels and critics who are arguably wiser than me have pointed this out, as well. Still and even, he was the absolute best in his genre and he'll be sorely missed.

      Delete
  3. I've read a few Clancy novels and enjoyed them. I still can't spell, but reading has helped. The good thing about books and art, they live on.

    Here in Texhoma, a long time farm reporter died. Joe Brown was on the TV at the crack of dawn when I got up to have coffee with my dad before school. We are talking 50 years of early morning reporting. His passing really made me sad. Or the hormones are acting up again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Books and art DO live on, Lou. We can be thankful for that. As for the passing of your farm reporter... well, he'll be remembered, even among those of us who never had the pleasure... thanks to you.

      Delete
  4. One of my favorites as well. I don't think I missed any of his books, even the ones where he was co-author. I was surprised by the news, and quite sad hearing it.

    The critics too often believe in the worst of human nature, so they scoff at anyone who shows signs of being virtuous. Plus, you could see some conservative leanings in a number of his books, which doesn't play well with leftists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said, Jim. Your points are well-taken and we're on the same page.

      Delete
  5. He will definitely be missed. I've read a couple of Clancy's novels and also viewed a couple of the movies made from them. They were enjoyable and entertaining in the way that good thrillers always are. I like the comment attributed to him in the link about writing being hard work. He said (not necessarily word for word) "it's not like you sit around waiting for the muse to kiss you on the ear or something." And, although I understand where he was coming from, Mr. Lekachman's negative criticism could be considered praise from some people.

    BTW, I read this first on your blog on my new fancy smart phone while I was waiting on Joyce who was having a routine doctor visit. I wanted to comment then, but since the phone is a lot smarter than I am, I had to wait to get home to my computer to comment. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I picked up on Clancy's 'hard work' quote in the obit, too. Writing IS hard work, which is why you'll never see a book outta me. I'm sure you know where I'm coming from, Dan.

      Delete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Somehow I have managed not to read any of his books or see any films made from them. I must put that right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you do read any of his stuff, Brian, I recommend beginning with The Hunt for Red October. I believe his first novel was his best.

      Delete
    2. I always was kind of partial to Red Storm Rising, but then that was the first one, of many, I read.

      Delete
  8. One thing that came to mind when I first heard this is, he was just a kid.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had similar thoughts, Skip, even though he's only two years younger than me.

      Delete
  9. I remember when The Hunt for Red October came out. The sub base in Sandy Eggo was a buzz with the detailed info in it. Bought it in hard copy and found it fascinating. I was hooked. Great author with a knack for learning the intricacies of the arcane world of warfare. I have everyone of his early volumes in hard cover on my bookshelf.

    RIP......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was still on active duty when Hunt came out and even people in the Air Force were all abuzz about the book. And then Reagan added fuel to the fire...

      Delete
  10. Well, as always Buck, you've said everything and said it very well.

    I too had noted the "enlisted man problem", never bothered me all that much. Keep in mind, that no matter what lofty heights he rose to, John Clark still felt like a Chief. Also I believe Mr Clancy wrote Ding Chavez's character in much the same way, Ding always felt more like an Army Noncom than a major-equivalent. Which he was (IIRC) in Rainbow Six.

    So there's that. FWIW.

    All in all though, 'tis a sad day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The enlisted thing never bothered me all that much, either. But I did notice it. Thanks for the good words, Chris.

      Delete
  11. Me too. Both on "shocked" and "fave author". Too bad we don't have a real Jack Ryan these days.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Loved his earliest stuff
    Not so much the formula stuff
    But his research was nearly flawless

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. His research, and the accuracy therein, was a VERY large part of his appeal (to me).

      Delete

Just be polite... that's all I ask.