The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion

Back in August I started a post titled, 'Dennis Lehane: what am I missing?" or something like that. The gist of it was that I thought Lehane was overrated, mainly because of his over-the-top violence involving children.

I'd like to amend that even if the only person that cares is me. :)

I've since heard a couple of things that made me reconsider Lehane. First, he used to be a counselor specializing in abused children so I assume Lehane knows a little more than I about the subject. Being a teacher in an economically distressed area I've heard some stories, but nothing like Lehane describes in his books, such as Gone, Baby, Gone. Second, a long-time friend of my wife's used to investigate child abuse claims. Upon reading Lehane, she said, "I've seen just as bad, if not worse," before emphatically changing the subject (she has since changed jobs). I'm inclined now to believe Lehane gets more right than wrong when writing about the evils children endure at the hands of adults both friendly and strange.

I don't object to violence or violence against kids in fiction. I did object to what I thought was Lehane's use of such violence as attention-getters or as a cheap way to shock the reader. Well, I've revisited his work after talking to my wife's friend and reading some of Lehane's interviews. I'm now inclined to believe Lehane does indeed want to get our attention but for different, much more noble reasons and knowing what I know now about his background, the shock I feel upon reading his searing descriptions is anything but cheap.

I was able to see him speak at a near by event in south western Michigan and he went into detail about his counseling and all the crap he saw happen to these kids. It was really eye opening and it explained a lot about why he writes what he does. Someone in the audience did ask why his books are so violent but since then i've forgotten what exactly it was he said. I'm glad that you went back to revisit his work. I have just recently finished his book "The Given Day" which was a totally different style of writing and was absolutely amazing (to me that is. To other people, its probably just really good.) It was still violent as hell though but a great history lesson.

I read somewhere that mystery/crime novels are now the place for social commentary in fiction - moving away from general fiction novels - and I think the Kenzie and Gennaro novels by Lehane are a good example. Powerful, thought-provoking, storylines.

Glad to see you've changed your opinion.