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Richard Stark

22quotes

Richard Stark


Full Name and Common Aliases


Richard Stark is a pen name used by American author Donald E. Westlake. He is best known for writing the Parker series of crime novels.

Birth and Death Dates


Donald E. Westlake was born on July 12, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, and passed away on February 31, 2008.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Richard Stark is an American author, best known for his work in the genres of crime fiction, mystery, and thriller.

Early Life and Background


Westlake grew up in a family that valued education and encouraged his writing from an early age. He began writing stories as a child and was influenced by classic literature and pulp fiction. Westlake attended Bard College at Simon's Rock, where he developed his writing skills and started to produce his own work.

Major Accomplishments


Richard Stark is perhaps best known for creating the character of Parker, a ruthless and calculating thief who has been featured in numerous novels and short stories. The Parker series is notable for its gritty realism, morally ambiguous characters, and complex plotlines. Westlake's writing often explored themes of crime, morality, and the consequences of actions.

Notable Works or Actions


Some of Richard Stark's most notable works include:

The Hunter (1962), which introduced the character of Parker
 The Man with the Getaway Face (1963)
The Outfit (1963)
 The Rare Ones (1971)

Westlake also wrote under several other pseudonyms, including Richard Stark, Alan Downes, and Edwin West.

Impact and Legacy


Richard Stark's writing has had a significant impact on the crime fiction genre. His Parker series has been praised for its originality and influence on contemporary literature. Many authors have cited Westlake as an inspiration, including George Pelecanos and Dennis Lehane. The character of Parker has been adapted into several films and TV shows, cementing his place in popular culture.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Richard Stark is widely quoted and remembered for his sharp wit, clever dialogue, and nuanced characterization. His writing often explored complex themes and moral dilemmas, making him a favorite among readers who enjoy thought-provoking fiction.

Quotes by Richard Stark

She’s dead. So is your fat pansy. You can be dead, too, if you want.
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She’s dead. So is your fat pansy. You can be dead, too, if you want.
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The world was filling up with people, it seemed to him, who pulled their punches everywhere they went in life. Light beer, decaf coffee, low-sodium seltzer.
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The world was filling up with people, it seemed to him, who pulled their punches everywhere they went in life. Light beer, decaf coffee, low-sodium seltzer.
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Walter Jelinek was a man, but he looked like a car, the kind of old junker car that had been in some bad accidents so that now the frame is bent, the wheels don’t line up any more, the whole vehicle sags to one side and pulls to that side, and the brakes are oatmeal.
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Walter Jelinek was a man, but he looked like a car, the kind of old junker car that had been in some bad accidents so that now the frame is bent, the wheels don’t line up any more, the whole vehicle sags to one side and pulls to that side, and the brakes are oatmeal.
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What was the sense of talking about a problem if you didn’t have a way to solve it?
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What was the sense of talking about a problem if you didn’t have a way to solve it?
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Hemingway’s judgment on people, that the competent guy does it on his own and the incompetents lean on each other.” In.
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Hemingway’s judgment on people, that the competent guy does it on his own and the incompetents lean on each other.” In.
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Please... they’ll kill me. I’ll kill you... worry about me.
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Please... they’ll kill me. I’ll kill you... worry about me.
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The office women looked at him and shivered. They knew he was a bastard, they his big hands were born to slap with, they knew his face would never break into a smile when he looked at a woman. They knew what he was, they thanked God for their husbands, and still they shivered. Because they knew how he would fall on a woman in the night. Like a tree”.
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The office women looked at him and shivered. They knew he was a bastard, they his big hands were born to slap with, they knew his face would never break into a smile when he looked at a woman. They knew what he was, they thanked God for their husbands, and still they shivered. Because they knew how he would fall on a woman in the night. Like a tree”.
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Nobody but Parker can irritate people so quick.” Jacko.
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Nobody but Parker can irritate people so quick.” Jacko.
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He beat out a drumroll on the table edge with the first two fingers of each hand.
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He beat out a drumroll on the table edge with the first two fingers of each hand.
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People get used to everything but being dead.
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People get used to everything but being dead.
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