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F. Paul Wilson

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During the writing of my previous article on Michael Mann movies, I made a passing reference to a movie called, “The Keep”. Loosely based on a book by author F. Paul Wilson, this was not one of Michael Mann’s better efforts — doubly disappointing, because F. Paul Wilson is one of my favorite horror authors.

Feeling a bit nostalgic, I dug through my library until I came up with my dog-eared copy of “The Tomb”.

This is one of my top-ten all-time favourite books. It is, I believe, the first time that we are introduced to Repairman Jack, who has gone on to star in several of Dr. Wilson’s books.

I picked up this copy of “The Tomb” in a Waldenbooks back in the ’80’s, intending to thumb through it as a time-killer until the lady I was with got done with some shopping.

The first line I read in that book was in reference to a gunstore hidden in New York City owned by a friend of Repairman Jack. As Jack and the friend go down some hidden stairs, a sign lights up that reads:

“The Right To Buy Weapons Is The Right To Be Free”

Jack comments on this sign, and his friend states that every good weapons shop should have a sign.

The sign is, of course, taken directly from the classic Golden-Age Science Fiction novel “The Weapons Shops of Isher” — which I had just got done reading.

I was immediately charmed and, two hours later, bought the book — which is sitting on the desk as I type this.

It is pounding down rain outside, I have tea brewing in my brand-new electric tea-maker and nothing to do until tonights’ 1900 showing of “The 300”.

If y’all will pardon me, I’m going to go put my boots up on the desk and lose myself in the world of Repairman Jack, rakoshi, murder, vengeance and redemption. And tea.

Later,

LawDog

300
Michael Mann movies

7 thoughts on “F. Paul Wilson”

  1. I’m also a big fan of Repairman Jack. The Keep series includes several more books; not all have Jack in them.

    Cindi

  2. Enjoy the movie. I saw it last night with my husband and came away with the knowledge I had seen one of the best movies in a long while. Who would think in this day and age a man would be able to make a movie on the concept that A) Even heros die. B) Honor sometimes really is all that is left. And C) We owe them respect, but mostly… we owe those who lay down their lives rememberence.

    I never thought I would say a movie based on war and death would be beautiful… but it is. Have fun.

  3. Enjoy the film. I’ll be seeing it in a few weeks when the crowds lessen.

    I’d like to take this opportunity to recommend Stephen Pressfield’s excellent book The Gates of Fire to anyone interested in first-rate historical fiction about Thermopalye and the Spartans.

    This book should be required reading for anyone in the military or law enforcement.

    Hell… I recommend that any father pass this book to his son to read.

  4. I’ve been wishing for some time that someone would adapt Repairman Jack for the screen; it is one of my favorite series.

  7. So what are the other 9 books on the top ten list? Or is the list apocryphal.

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