Book Log 47/2010 - Dick Francis: Whip Hand

[jacey]

Dick Francis: Whip Hand
Pan 1975

I promised myself that this year would be the year of trying new authors. New to me, that it. I can't believe it's taken me so long to get around to reading a Dick Francis novel. I mean, he's been writing them since the early 60s and they are based in the world of horseracing even though this one is only peripherally about horses. Verdict? Excellent. I picked up this book at random in a charity shop, so with no prior knowledge find it's the second in a short series featuring Sid Halley, one time champion jockey who has lost his left hand and now investigates cases associated with the world of racing.  Several seemingly unrelated cases, one on behalf of his ex-wife who seems to loathe him, threaten to bring Sid to his knees, but together with his judo-expert employee, Chico, he manages to unravel various plots, whose solutions are actually more interdependent than it seemed at first even if the crimes behind them are separate. Sid's a totally believable character, hard on the outside but soft in the middle with a surprising vulnerability. The book is exciting, visceral and a fast, enjoyable read.

Comments

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I'd stick with the early books for a while - he is one of those thriller writers (like Alistair MacLean) whose later books are nowhere near as good. Whip Hand is excellent. His first, Dead Cert has a lot more about actual racing in it, as his hero there is an amateur jockey who gets gifted the best hunter chaser in the country.

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

I didn't realise you'd never read any Dick Francis. I haven't ever sought them out particularly, but I've always found them to be a Good Read. There is a certain... not quite sameness, but Francis's protags do all share certain characteristics, so reading too many at once is probably not a good thing, but I find them very reliable for when I am feeling too fragile to cope with too much angst or gore, but don't have the brain for anything too cerebral.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice. I picked up two in the charity shop - the other one being 'Under OIrders' which seems to be much more recent. I'll keep an eye out for 'Dead Cert'

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

They certainly seem to fill a specific niche. I doubt I'll rush out and buy a ton of them from Amazon, but I'll certainly have them on my charity shop list from now on.

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Mmm, Sid Halley...

A friend sent me to my room with Reflex a quarter of a century ago, told me not to come out till I'd read it. When I emerged, I was a Dick Francis fan. Then she gave me the first of the Sid Halleys.

I've read 'em all now, and reread most. The early ones are generally better; some of the later ones have their attractions. Recent ones (written "with" his son Felix, meaning largely "by" Felix) are seriously weak.

I'd been reading him for years before I discovered that his wife Mary was a Brenchley. Which made him some kind of cousin of mine, as I cheerfully pointed out the first time we met...

[the-blue-fenix.livejournal.com]

I'd say that only the last four or five of his output decline in quality. Francis is a dependable fun read and -- always nice -- his background research, horses and otherwise, is first rate.

Note also the remarkably well developed female characters for a male writer of his age. It's like he thinks we're people or something.

Personal faves: Straight, Hot Money, Longshot, Odds Against.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

I enjoy most of Dick Francis - some of the early ones are a bit thin while he was getting into his stride, some of the late ones are a bit fuzzy and not written with the same focus, but they're all enjoyable.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Though written in 1975 I found it remarkably undated. It still translates well to being a book of the _now_. POssibly his attitude towards women helps that. He seems well ahead of the curve in that respect.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

I'll certyainly be trying more.

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

Well all I can say is that I hope multi-million bookselling success runs in the family.