You are too generous with the Duffy. I am a Marsh aficionado, frequently re-reading the books. Duffy - New Zealander, writer and theatre director like Marsh - has none of Marsh’s plotting powers, her sophisticated comedic sense or wonderful characterization. I agree that Evil Liver is the very best of the collected fictions. A later reissue if the collection contains an additional Marsh’s ‘letter’ to an aspiring young writer, My Poor Boy - which is quite wonderful.
I have not read My Poor Boy but it sounds interesting. It's not in my edition. I think Stella Duffy did a good job with Money in the Morgue. I'd agree it doesn't feel like the story Marsh intended to write here. It doesn't feel like a Marsh but I think it does well on its own.
You are too generous with the Duffy. I am a Marsh aficionado, frequently re-reading the books. Duffy - New Zealander, writer and theatre director like Marsh - has none of Marsh’s plotting powers, her sophisticated comedic sense or wonderful characterization.
I agree that Evil Liver is the very best of the collected fictions. A later reissue if the collection contains an additional Marsh’s ‘letter’ to an aspiring young writer, My Poor Boy - which is quite wonderful.
I have not read My Poor Boy but it sounds interesting. It's not in my edition. I think Stella Duffy did a good job with Money in the Morgue. I'd agree it doesn't feel like the story Marsh intended to write here. It doesn't feel like a Marsh but I think it does well on its own.