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Robert Parker remembered.

January 21st, 2010 · 1 Comment · Books, City Library, Events, Foundation, News

The evening of May 17, 2006 was a very special night for the library. Robert Parker was the speaker at the Library Foundation‘s annual fundraiser, and those of us who were fans looked forward to finding out what he was really like.

Robert Parker at the Library in 2006After being introduced to the capacity crowd in the auditorium, he stepped to the brand new podium that was brought out specifically for his appearance and found himself dwarfed by its sheer bulk and height. He made a comment about the designer of the podium and came around to the side and leaned against it. From then on he kept the audience enthralled with his own brand of rumpled charm. He spoke about writing – he never rewrote – about the characters he wrote about, and who he thought should play those characters in the films made from his books. He approved of Tom Selleck who he said probably was chosen because of his resemblance to Parker.

The question and answer period was lengthy as the audience warmed to him. There was a particularly interesting question from a woman who asked about his novel Appaloosa. She wanted to know how he could write about horses implying that he obviously was lacking in cowboy skills. Although he didn’t say the book was about a town not a horse, he didn’t miss a beat and said that if a person could write they could pretty much write about anything. Then he smiled the old rumpled smile and went on to the next question.

The evening included a book signing. Earlier that week while rummaging through our book sale books, I came across a paperback of his first Spencer novel, The Godwulf Manuscript, and brought it along for him to autograph. I was a little disappointed when he didn’t say anything about it being the first Spencer novel – I suppose he’d written so many by then. But he smiled, autographed the book, and stood up for the next person who wanted her picture taken with him. It was a very special night.

Lilly the Librarian

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One Comment so far ↓

  • Gayle

    I was there that night too. I will never forget meeting Mr. Parker. What a wonderful, kind man. My mom took a picture of him and I at the book signing. I will treasure that picture always.
    I feel like I’ve lost a dear friend.