It looks like I accidentally have back-to-back meta-fiction stories, the second being “The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder” by the master Lawrence Block, featuring one of his most enduring characters.

This is one story where the title is definitely an accurate description: what we have is purported free-form stream of memory blurbs from Matthew Scudder, writing about his life before we are introduced to him in the first Lawrence Block book. As with most biographies, we start with his childhood, his dad being distant and missing as he finds solace in alcohol, a common theme that his son will repeat throughout his life. His mother does her best, but it’s up to Matthew to find his own way into the world.

Eventually he drifts (or maybe makes a choice) to become a cop. His time with a badge composes the bulk of this story, starting in uniform with his partner, learning how NYC cops work in the real world, the $20 handshakes, the pimp informers, the racism and social injustice that was policework in the 1960s and 1970s. Scudder has a head on his shoulders, and is able to write a decent report, and eventually he makes it to plain clothes and detective before it all comes crashing down in an accidental shooting (described many times in the books by Mr. Block).

We also get to see Scudder’s personal life, how he falls in love with Anita and tries to support his family, how he drifts away from them and eventually into the arms of Elaine, and how his abusive relationship with alcohol puts everything at risk as he spirals out of control.

This is an interesting coda to those who have been fans throughout the entire series, but definitely not for those new to Scudder. The meta-aspects of Scudder telling us what Mr. Block had changed from his “real life” and how he is guiding him in the telling of this story are done with a light touch, but it’s still somewhat jarring. A nice fade into the sunset for a unique and interesting character.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Subterranean Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

For about the first 50 pages, I was thinking, "Is there really a need for this?" I've been reading the Matthew Scudder books for decades, I love Lawrence Block, this is my favorite series by him, but this autobiography seemed so dull and pointless at first. BUT. As I kept reading, I got more involved in the story, and how it ties everything up. Although you can read the Scudder books separately, Matthew grows and changes and you get to know and love the people in his periphery too. By the time I was done with this short book, I felt like I was finally getting to say goodbye to some of the people we lost along the way..
I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but I would highly recommend it for everyone who has been following Matthew Scudder and his wild and then domestic adventures.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Lawrence Block is an amazing writer and Matthew Scudder, a beloved character! With that said, I wasn't into this book as much as his usual fare. Well written and entertaining. Let's bring back more Matthew mysteries!

Lawrence Block is a very prolific author who is well known for his mystery series, including one that centers on a fan favorite character, Matthew Scudder. Readers first met Scudder in 1976 and he has visited us often since, but we never knew Scudder's life before he became that unlicensed private investigator looking into the death of a young prostitute at the hands of a preacher's son. What made Scudder, Scudder? Now Lawrence Block has returned to the pen and paper to introduce us to Scudder's life before........
Written by Block as if Scudder were dictating, we follow the man from youth through the trials, tribulations, joys and celebrations that contributed to his life in the here and now. He will wander through his memories to share with us those that meant the most to him. The book really reads as if it's a true memoir. After all, Lawrence Block is still one of the most skillful writers alive. It's no surprise to this reader that after I finished I still wanted more. That's what Block's books are noted for.....leaving you wanting more.

Lawrence Block is an entertaining writer. My husband (a used book dealer) and I were introduced to his work through a customer and went on to buy everything he'd written to that point (sometime in the mid-1980s) and every book that came out after. So, I was excited to see Matthew Scudder rise from the ashes and I found this "autobiography" a completely engaging story. Block is a writer who keeps me reading and while it's been awhile since Scudder and I met, I remembered his back story more than I recollect the specific novels he starred in. It was a hoot to have him pull down one of Block's books and describe how the author got things wrong, including Scudder's birthday. It was sad and interesting to see him make his way through a rough childhood and not get to go to college when his mother's death orphaned him. It was fun to have him meet Anita, generally remembered in a sour way when he was in a Block story, but sharing their early love when things went right. It was also fun to have a comprehensive explanation of his falling for, then losing, then falling for Elaine, his partner to the end (well, at least in old age). He is old and that comes through in funny ways that are familiar to us who kind of got old along with him and will be amusing to those who laught at us oldies instead of with us. He breaks the fourth wall routinely,: He is both Block's creation and he is autonomous. At one point, Block chimes in, conversing with Scudder about the autobiography, a nice conceit. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it to Matthew Scudder/Lawrence Block fans.

The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder is a curious book. I enjoyed it because I like Scudder's voice, and it was interesting to get filled in on his back story. There's a bit of "meta" in that Scudder refers occasionally to the books Block has written "that was covered in the series..." for example. But there's no big "story" here. So I'd say it's recommended only for Scudder fans who want to know more about him before the series begins.

The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder is just that. Interesting concept to have an autobiography of a fictional character but having read all the previous Matthew Scudder books it just seems to fit. I am not sure how this will resonate with those who haven’t read the preceding books but it seems to work for those who have.
Not sure where Lawrence Block heads in this genre but am anxious to see. Hope it isn’t the last.
Thanks to the author , publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

Welcome back Matthew Scudder. You have turned 84 and ready to tell much of your life’s story in an autobiography that reveals some new insight into who you really are.

When I began reading Lawrence’s Block’s new and in depth look at Scudder’s life, I wondered if I’d feel the pull that all of the past tales provided. I did! Scudder is a likable character despite his debilitating alcoholism and his unorthodox police procedures. Ultimately, he bares himself to his readers as a man with his own ingrained moral standards as he navigates his way through a sometimes corrupt department and often vicious criminal element.

There is good reason that the author is a recipient of a myriad of awards for his straight talking narratives and realistic in your face dialog. This was a well thought out, perhaps final episode of what makes Scudder , and perhaps Block, tick. If you have never read other books in this series, this is not a good starting point. But if Matthew Scudder and his creator have had a special place in your heart, you will love reading this “ autobiography.” It will be published on October 31,2023.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been a big fan of Lawrence Block’s Matthew Scudder series for many years, and so I jumped at the chance to read Block’s latest book, The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder. To assure as much accuracy as possible about Matthew Scudder’s life, I was particularly impressed with Block’s willingness to step aside to allow the Man himself to tell as much or as little as he chooses about his life.

Simply put if you, like I, have been a fan of Block’s mysteries featuring this fictional main character, you won’t want to miss out on reading this excellent autobiography. You’ll feel like you’re sitting down in a bar enjoying a drink (or several drinks) with Scudder as he shares with you the major events and people that shaped him into the Man he became. Block deserves a lot of credit for his excellent ability to take Scudder’s words and shape them into a highly readable, entertaining book.

Highly Recommended,

#The Automatically of Matthew Scudder #NetGalley

Lots of times we read novels, and we’d like to know more about the characters. Well, Lawrence Block has done exactly that. In this story we go back in time and learn all about Block’s superstar, Matthew Scudder.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Subterranean Press for an advance copy of this new look at an old character where he writes about the ultimate mystery, where we came from and was it all worth it as the end gets closer.

As I get older I have become sort of numb to the fact that people I know and love might not be here, and that I will have a hole in my life where they were. One expects this with family and friends, it is to quote somebody a fact of life. However it is the loss of those who filled my mind with stories, pictures, art, movies, sound that really have been painful, far more than I would have expected. To think I won't have a Donald Westlake, or an Andrew Vachss or an Adam Hall story really makes me sad. A selfish feeling, I am sure their families would like them around for more than telling stories, but humans are selfish. And than I see that Lawrence Block has not one but two books out, both books different from each other as mysteries can be, featuring two characters I have known fo years, in different lights. And I feel a whole lot better. The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder is what it says, a look back at the life of a man who we met almost 45 years ago at the bottom, and now writing about his life, his past and the things that made him what he is.

The Autobiography of Matthew Scudder is a series of journal entries that fill out the life of the character created by Lawrence Block in the early 70's. Meeting Scudder for the first time we see a man in his cups drinking bourbon and coffee and not wanting to go on, and yet still doing so. Scudder would do favors for people, and as he helped others he helped himself. Over the years the drinking slowed, stopped, he found love, a club that will keep his name alive and friends that looked to him for guidance. This is his story, told by him about his birth, 1938 same year as the author, but in September. The loss of his brother. Why he joined the police and what being a cop who took easily to the corruption, the buying a hat as he called it, was like and why. The shooting that changed him, and the cases that saved and truly made him.

Lawrence Block is a Grand Master bestowed this honor by the Mystery Writers of America. Also he has always been one of my favorite writers. The many series characters he created with each book being so different from others amazed me. A spy who can't sleep, a burglar who solves mysteries, and a lawyer who does worse crimes to get his clients off. Matthew Scudder has always been a favorite, and reading them has always been a thrill. This is no different. There are no magic transformations, no Sherlock Holmes is your father moments, this a man who made mistakes looking back and not making amends, more hmm well that explains that. Not many authors like to buck a successful plot, but Block is no normal writer, as one who has read many of his books on writing can say. Books that are also worth reading. This is different in that the mystery is more about Scudder, and is one that might jus get away. Some might get the feeling that the character is looking back, but I think that Scudder is looking forward. There is a lot left to see in this beautiful world, and every day their are favors that could help a lot of people. I like to think that Scudder, no matter his loss, no matter his mobility, will be out there. And that Lawrence Block has a lot more books in him.

Recommended for fans, and for those new to the series. There is a long line of novels, to paraphrase a Scudder title, that one can read just in this series alone. Enough books for a lifetime.