All About Archie

Because there should be a topic that is all about him!

Any thoughts for discussion? Who reads the books primarily for Archie (me!), and what are your favourite Archie-centric stories? I have a soft spot for The League of Frightened Men, as it gives us an early and brief glimpse at a rather 'sensitive' Archie Goodwin, and If Death Ever Slept, because he's on his own for a while.

Is Archie ever less than perfect? Does he sometimes irritate, or perhaps familiarity starts to breed contempt after enough novels? (It's a possibility!) Is he a diamond in the rough, or Too Good to be True?

What about his relationship with Wolfe, and the other 'teers?

Yes, I love Archie, too! I read the books to enjoy his repartee, his charm, and his wit. I love the little digs that he gets in a Wolfe; how he enjoys seeing Wolfe burn.

I like Archie's intelligence when investigating a crime, and he obviously learned a lot from observing Wolfe interregate (sp?) suspects. Mainly, I like that he very skilled at hand-to-hand combat, but doesn't need to show off his brawn like a Mike Hammer and sometimes Spenser.

I really enjoyed In the Best of Families because Wolfe was "off stage" for 5 months and Archie had to setup shop on his own.

I think I have to say I read the books mostly for Archie. I live vicariously through his wise-cracks. Oh, if only I could think that fast on my feet! I love looking at the world through Archie's view. He is not without his faults, seems to be afraid to get into a committed relationship with a woman, but on the other hand, he is honest about that and doesn't lead women on or blunder in too deeply and cause them pain. Perhaps Stout wanted to keep Archie single because that leaves room for women to fantasize about how they could be the one to finally make him fall in love. :)

It would have been to refreshing to read that Archie got 'burned' at least once by a woman! He mentions in Fer de Lance that he once fell for a woman and had his heart broken, but that was obviously in the early days - his cool 'admiration' of the female of the species, and his 'friendship' with Lily, can be either hard to believe, or viewed as arrogant behaviour - but then, I suppose we can pretend that Archie didn't tell us everything about his personal life!

I like that Archie is not 100% perfect - but just perfect enough ;) He has flaws, but he's also handsome, polite, funny, smart, and a great dancer. Who prefers him in the early books - 30s to 50s - as opposed to the latter half of the corpus? I think Archie is an old-fashioned gent, more suited to the hats and suits of the 50s, rather than the liberal 60s and 70s.

He's also pretty easy to feed, that is if you have good bread and something to stick in it, along with cold milk.

Heh. True, although his taste does become more refined, after living with Wolfe and Fritz for so long!

Consider a tribute to this great character and series: I've named my cat after Archie Goodwin. I like to think they have quite a bit in common. They're both peacocks of a sort, ladies men, and very curious.

#7 mjs1228 - All that is missing from that post is a picture! I want to see Archie. :)

#8 MrsLee,

I don't know how to upload a picture in a discussion but if you click on my profile you will see Archie in all his book loving glory. :-)

Whoa! Sexy pose, too. ;) He's beautiful.

Whoa, again! Two cats reclining. Where's that picture I took of Rudy . . . ?