Anatomy of a Murder
Published April 27, 2004
A great novel.
I finally finished it last night, after having stretched it out over a period of weeks at bedtime, because it was so good I wanted it never to end.
Few things are that good.
The book was published a long time ago - 1958 - and became America's instant #1 bestseller, remaining so for many weeks.
It's so different from Scott Turow and John Grisham's books - not that those two authors have much in common besides being members of the bar - that it's almost as if it's a different genre.
The author, Robert Traver, takes us on a leisurely trip into first the mind, and gradually the heart, of his protagonist, northern Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler, and the book's narrative seems to just meander and flow ever so naturally, never any sense of the author's need to push us along to see what happens next.
It's one of those books where you're just grateful to be in the company of the author's mind, even if at a remove.
The novel's superb title, so important in setting the mood, the pitch if you will, of the story within, perfectly describes the book, but understates the achievement of the author, who not only takes apart the actual murder, but shows us how contingent reality can be on point of view.
Rashomon, but in words rather than images.
I immediately ordered the movie on DVD.
Directed by Otto Preminger at the very top of his game, it stars James Stewart, Lee Remick, George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara, and Eve Arden.
Oh, yeah, Duke Ellington wrote the score.
Can't hardly wait.
- Anatomy of a Murder
- Published: April 27, 2004
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- Section: Books
- Writer: bookofjoe
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I am one of about 12 people who own Anatomy of a Murder on video. I am glad bookofjoe you are No. 13. Welcome to the club!
Anyway, I have loved this movie for a very long time, and think Jimmy Stewart's performance is terrific. He and George C. Scott battling wits in the courtroom is great Hall of Fame stuff.
I have always been a George C. Scott fan and believe the film was one of his earliest roles.
M. Sean, great information on John Voelker, as I was not aware of that story......bookofjoe, nice post on what must have been a great book....
As a devotee of Duke Ellington, a few words:
When non-fans ask me to suggest something they might like from Duke, this soundtrack is one of just three things I usually suggest.
It is wistful, thoughtful, moody, and is a wonderful showcase throughout for alto legend Johnny Hodges. "Flirtibird" and "Sunswept Sunday" are of particular interest, the first a short "portrait" of Lee Remick (Duke did dozens of these about various friends and public figures), and "SS" just a gorgeous mostly unknown Jimmy Hamilton clarinet theme that is weepy and sly. The movie is great, but this album is a real all-timer.
The rerelease from about two years ago has much better sound and some extra performances that unfortunately aren't as interesting as I had been hoping. Highly recommended.
Since the subject has been sidetracked
to Duke Ellington;Anyone with any sort
of interest in Ellington,40's Swing/Jazz
and the like should read "Lush Life" the
bio of Ellington collabarator/arranger
Billy Strayhorn.This book contains some
incredibly honest looks at the workings
of the Ellington Band and of course,Mr.
Strayhorn himself.Billy was an openly
homosexual man in a very macho field and
his reminisces of being such are funny,
heartfelt,frank & ultimately quite sad.
Now back to your scheduled programming..
aom is a wonderfull book but if you want a good look at judge v. go to small town d.a.,laughing whitefish, danny and the boys, and the non fiction fishing books. he certainly was among the greatest minds of th 20th century. but much like isacc azimov he had greater loves and no desire to joust with with the windmills of this century. as a supreme court justice he would have.......had a heart attack(so unexpected)!!!he did the right thing and we all loose as we are loosing now(2008). oh, had he a choice i'm sure earl hines woud have done the music for aom but authors rarely have shoices and who better than the duke.
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Perhaps you are not acquainted with, as Paul Harvey says, the rest of the story.
Robert Traver was the pen name of John Voelker, who at the time the novel was published was a sitting Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court. The story is based on a case that he defended while practicing law in Marquette County, Michigan.
When the movie rights to the book were sold, Voelker took the money, resigned as a Justice in 1960, and retired back to Ishpeming, Michigan, where he spent the rest of his life (more than 30 years) flyfishing and sipping bourbon from a tin cup. He died in 1991.
The movie was filmed at the courthouse in Marquette County and at the Lumbermans Tavern in Big Bay, the site of the original incident.