Chet The Dog

Posts Tagged ‘Viktor Shklovsky’

Chet, Bernie, Vik

I know there are readers out there resistant to the Chet and Bernie novels because of a belief they may be too cute and not serious enough for their reading palates. To them I say two words: Viktor Shklovsky! Viktor Shklovsky, as I’m sure you know, was the late great Russian formalist behind defamiliarization, which Wikipedia defines thus: “the artistic technique of presenting to audiences common things in an unfamiliar or strange way in order to enhance perception of the familiar.” C&B in a nutshell! So all you resistant readers – just tell your highfalutin buddies you’re into Russian formalism so naturally the Chet and Bernie novels are de rigueur.

Mrs. Publicist Steps In

Hi, everybody! Mrs. P here. I noticed the following in a five star review of It’s A Wonderful Woof, the most recent Chet and Bernie novel: “Normally I wait for the paperback of a series to be published, but with Chet and Bernie I have to get the hardback. End of story (as Chet would say).”

Very nice to see, but for those of you who stick to your paperback guns, the most recent C&B in paperback is Of Mutts And Men. For newcomers to the series, you could always start there! The series – I very recently learned – is written in the continuous present, and thus (if I got this right) can be read in any order! Did you know there’s a Proustian way of looking at the narration in C&B? And that in many respects it conforms to the literary theories of Viktor Shklovsky? Tell that to your highfalutin friends!

 

Viktor Shklovsky (More)

http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/2020/09/viktor-shklovsky-and-me-guest-post-by.html

On To New Hampshire! (Virtually)

Tonight at 7 PM ET we’re at one of our favorites, Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord NH. Thanks to everyone who “came” to Wellesley Books last night. Great questions! Here’s an Amazon reader yesterday on Of Mutts And Men, referring to an iconic crime fiction character from the early days:

“Vintage Chet and Bernie! More please! Can’t wait for the next one. Chet is the Archie Goodwin of the nation within. One of the best in the series!”

And here’s where to register for tonight’s event. Will I show the picture of Viktor Shklovsky again? Only one way to find out!

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsfuCpqj4pH9344kvlcQ1x8SsW_LHXmVqm