Mystery Novel Rediscovery: John Copenhaver and Polly Stewart Reexamine Ross Macdonald's "The Zebra-Striped Hearse"
In the world of crime fiction, Ross Macdonald's The Zebra-Striped Hearse stands out as a mid-career classic in the Lew Archer series. This novel, first published in 1962, has recently caught the attention of author John Copenhaver, known for his works such as Dodging and Burning, The Savage Kind, and Hall of Mirrors.
Copenhaver, a renowned author and winner of the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and a Lambda Literary Award, has expressed his admiration for The Zebra-Striped Hearse in a conversation with Polly Stewart, which was published on CrimeReads. The novel's literary merit and its place in noir literature are the key factors that drew Copenhaver to this work.
The plot of The Zebra-Striped Hearse revolves around Lew Archer, a detective, who finds himself on a collision course with a charismatic artist/con man named Burke Damis. The story is intriguing, yet its title, "The Zebra-Striped Hearse," doesn't literally relate to the plot. Instead, it symbolises the younger generation that Archer isn't fully a part of, who are carefree, careless, and provide a clue to the killer.
Macdonald's work is distinguished by its focus on human psychology and generational trauma, rather than just the unraveling of a plot. The novel explores the theme of carelessness, not just in the younger generation but also in the parents. Harriet Blackwell, engaged to Burke Damis, is put in a difficult situation from the beginning, with a possessive and controlling father, an absent mother, and a stepmother who doesn't care for her.
The grownups in the novel are not truly grownups, as they start the problems and make poor decisions. Macdonald's prose style in The Zebra-Striped Hearse is economical, rich in description, and creates a sense of psychological complexity without slowing the story down. This makes the novel a good source of learning for prose style, particularly the novels from the early 1960s.
Despite its terrific plot and literary merit, some descriptions of women in the novel may be a little cringe due to cultural biases of the time period. However, the novel features a conversation where Lew Archer expresses empathy for Harriet Blackwell, viewing her as a person in pain rather than a woman.
The Coen brothers have written a script based on the novel that hasn't been produced, which could make a good movie or limited series. Ross Macdonald's The Zebra-Striped Hearse was chosen due to its surprise and emotional impact, deviating from the usual hardboiled fiction that doesn't move the reader.
For Copenhaver, living in Richmond, Virginia, The Zebra-Striped Hearse resonates with the reader as a Gen Xer, feeling stuck between generations. Chandler is often used as a starting point to introduce students to Macdonald's work, as they may not understand the tradition he's working in. However, The Zebra-Striped Hearse offers a fresh perspective that moves beyond the traditional hardboiled fiction, making it a compelling read for both seasoned crime fiction enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
- John Copenhaver, who has won the Macavity Award and Lambda Literary Award, has expressed his admiration for Ross Macdonald's The Zebra-Striped Hearse, a noir fiction masterpiece, in a conversation with Polly Stewart.
- In the novel The Zebra-Striped Hearse, the plot revolves around the detective, Lew Archer, and his pursuit of a charismatic artist/con man, Burke Damis, providing a suspenseful reading experience.
- Books like The Zebra-Striped Hearse are not just entertainment but also excellent resources for understanding the prose styles used in books from the early 1960s.
- Ross Macdonald's The Zebra-Striped Hearse offers a fresh perspective on crime-and-justice themes, moving beyond typical hardboiled fiction and appealing to both seasoned crime-fiction enthusiasts and newcomers.
