The other day, rereading Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye, his 1953 reimagining of The Great Gatsby in Los Angeles after the Second World War instead of in New York after the First, I came across a sentence. Chandler’s detective Philip Marlowe is trapped in a case he can’t understand, let alone define, let alone pursue, let alone do anything under the sun about. He opens the door to his office, opens the window, opens the mail, puts it in the wastebasket, tries to do anything he can not to think, but he can’t: “Inside my head thoughts stuck together like flies on flypaper.”
I've cheerfully paid and say: Far out, it really is good to have you back. Looking forward to all of the welcome engagement with your writing with responses from affinity to periodic infuriation.
You were living in the Bay Area when you sold your first review, and Rolling Stone was published in San Francisco. Did it seem like a hometown paper to you?
Do you suppose the phrase "quick as thought" echo from the Stan Rogers song "Harris and the Mare" as well?
Glad you are out of the hospital -- I trust that you will be able to walk that hill again. I'm also glad that you wrote those sentences that you quote above -- they meant a lot to me in my teens and twenties, and they continue to keep me company. Thank you.
Welcome back to the conversation you started.
Glad to have you back Greil! Looking forward to reading you here for a good long while.
I've cheerfully paid and say: Far out, it really is good to have you back. Looking forward to all of the welcome engagement with your writing with responses from affinity to periodic infuriation.
I am so sorry to read what you've been going through, and so happy to have found you will be writing here.
Enjoyed your books and looking forward to reading you frequently on Substack.
A wonderful opener.
'Writers write.' : how simple, and lovely, and perfect.
Welcome back to writing, Greil Marcus. Welcome home.
Welcome to Substack.
Great to read this Greil! I’m so glad you’re writing again. I just subscribed. I hope everyone who comes here will sign up for a paid subscription.
You were living in the Bay Area when you sold your first review, and Rolling Stone was published in San Francisco. Did it seem like a hometown paper to you?
Do you suppose the phrase "quick as thought" echo from the Stan Rogers song "Harris and the Mare" as well?
So happy to see you here, Greil.
Glad you are out of the hospital -- I trust that you will be able to walk that hill again. I'm also glad that you wrote those sentences that you quote above -- they meant a lot to me in my teens and twenties, and they continue to keep me company. Thank you.
You were made for this medium. Congrats!
Fastest six bucks I ever spent! So glad you are back behind the keys and hopefully on the mend.