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Parker keeps sex on the table but in low key, entertaining way
Book Review
By Derryll White
Parker, Robert B. (2009). The Professional.
‘The Professional” is another Robert B. Parker novel featuring his delightful P.I. character Spenser. Spenser operates according to his own code, mostly moral in nature. He doesn’t blatantly break the law – in fact he often works in conjunction with Boston’s police force, on his terms. Spenser is always insightful, listens well, and possesses a fine eye for beautiful (and sometimes not visibly so) women.
But he is always loyal to his main flame, Dr. Susan Silverman. I subscribe to his philosophy of observing and delighting in the magic that the female of the species cloaks herself in. Spenser finds constant delight in the posing and presenting that his clients, surprisingly all women in this story, utilize to conceal their real problems.
Spenser is quick with his repartee, insightful and funny. It moves the book along in an entertaining fashion, as most of Robert B. Parker’s stories are very oral and based in dialogue. So if you are looking for a quick wit, this may be for you. I enjoy the way Parker keeps sex in the forefront throughout this novel without ever being graphic or salacious – not porn but simply the way most of us choose to live our lives.
This is a fun book. It moves fast with very witty dialogue, and it always keeps sex on the table but in a low key, entertaining way. It makes one think – ever had a three-way? Want one? Who loses? More or less in that fashion. I enjoyed it a lot.
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Excerpts from the novel:
LOVE – “The best moments in my life,” I said, “have come because I loved somebody.”
“Yeah,” he said.
“And the worst,” I said.
“Yeah,” he said.
SPENSER’S WORLD – I had just finished a job for an interesting woman named Nan Sartin, and was happily making out my bill to her, when a woman came in who promised to be equally interesting.
SEX – “I’m jumping to a conclusion,” I said.
“Sadly, the conclusion is correct. She had an affair.”
“Lot of that going around,” I said.
“You disapprove?” Elizabeth said.
“I guess it’s probably better if people can be faithful to each other,” I said.
“She’s not a bad woman,” Elizabeth said.
“Affairs aren’t usually about good and bad,” I said.
“What do you think they’re about?”
“Need,” I said.
HEALING – “Eric and I spent two years is psychotherapy. Each with our own therapist. You remember Mr. Hemingway’s remark?” she said.
“It heals stronger at the break,” I said.
LOVE – “Sex is a complicated thing,” I said.
Susan widened her eyes.
“Wow,” she said.
“It enhances love,” I said. “But not as much as love enhances it.”
“You’ve noticed that,” Susan said.
“I have.”
– Derryll White once wrote books but now chooses to read and write about them. When not reading he writes history for the web at www.basininstitute.org.
