tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post8811742502678673473..comments2024-03-26T17:48:56.627+00:00Comments on 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?': Dick Francis R.I.P.Martin Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-86077009750327197582010-02-20T18:17:27.342+00:002010-02-20T18:17:27.342+00:00I count myself fortunate in that I was able to mee...I count myself fortunate in that I was able to meet Dick Francis on many occasions over the last 20 years, usually at the most excellent launch parties given when he had a new book out.(I once told him one of my favourites was "Bonecrack" to which he replied he had always preferred "Dead Cert".)<br />He was one of the few people about whom it could be said he was both a gentle man and a Gentleman.Mike Ripleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-20313682644780951482010-02-15T11:22:43.812+00:002010-02-15T11:22:43.812+00:00Thanks for these comments. I think the wide range ...Thanks for these comments. I think the wide range of favourite titles show what a consistent and reliable writer he was.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-43661506960504252732010-02-15T10:37:23.097+00:002010-02-15T10:37:23.097+00:00I've been a great fan for many years and appre...I've been a great fan for many years and appreciate your tribute, Martin. You've named many of my favourites although I have to add The Edge (trans-Canada railway), Driving Force (horse transport business), Decider (architecture) ... how can I pick just one? I described his early books to a friend as being one page of sex, one page of violence and 300(?) pages of great story; his response was that he'd heard an interview in which DF said his first book had been returned by a publisher because it needed spicing up and that's exactly what he added - the revised MS was accepted and thus was his career launched. Later, his sales didn't seem to suffer from any lack of spice!<br /><br />Before Mary died I felt for some years that the annual publications alternated between 'brilliant as usual' and 'a bit disappointing'. When it was revealed that Mary had had a hand in the writing I wondered if my analysis was in fact a true reflection of her input.Fionahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136142030481900981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-90786146247768974902010-02-15T06:42:10.364+00:002010-02-15T06:42:10.364+00:00I am surprised and saddened to read about his pass...I am surprised and saddened to read about his passing. I have long been a fan of his work, re-reading many of his novels several times. <br /><br />Back when I read To the Hilt, one of my favorites, my brother and his wife tried to find a copy of it or anything else by Francis, so I would stop checking them out from the library. Knowing I preferred hardcovers, they were quite apologetic when all they could find were paperbacks. <br /><br />"Who cares?" I replied. "I'll read a Francis novel in whatever form it happens to be available."Keanan Brandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12638962927055276969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-43449050876718889752010-02-14T21:07:34.206+00:002010-02-14T21:07:34.206+00:00I can only echo what you said -- it amazes me how ...I can only echo what you said -- it amazes me how much I enjoyed even the novels set in the world of horse racing when my only interest in horses is staying as far away from them as possible so I don't get stepped on or something! However it has been a long time since I was on my Dick Francis kick (maybe a bad word choice) so I am reminded it might be time to pick up one of his books again.Mary or Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17210964762989092658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-33300393336367787132010-02-14T19:38:00.535+00:002010-02-14T19:38:00.535+00:00Martin - Thank you for this very fine tribute to D...Martin - Thank you for this very fine tribute to Dick Francis. He will be sorely missed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-85085284128574097902010-02-14T19:23:25.798+00:002010-02-14T19:23:25.798+00:00What said news though, I suppose, not entirely une...What said news though, I suppose, not entirely unexpected. Dick Francis was one of the few mystery authors that the librarian at our local library thought appropriate so I was introduced to him at an early age and have always had an affection for his books. I'm pretty sure I have read every one of them, some many times over. When I was backpacking around the globe Dick Francis novels could always be found in English in the oddest of places and it was always quite comforting to be able to pick up one of his books in some far flung part of the world.<br /><br />My personal favourites are <i>Whip Hand</i> (also featuring Sid Halley), <i>Longshot</i> (about a bloke who writes travel survival guides) and <i>Straight</i> (about a jockey who inherits his brother's jewllery business).Bernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641617609801125707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-47211755967745974452010-02-14T18:38:43.537+00:002010-02-14T18:38:43.537+00:00My sister has read and owns every one of his books...My sister has read and owns every one of his books and always raves about him. He's one I've not really gotten into...yet.<br /><br />annAnn Elle Altmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02192162600274764681noreply@blogger.com