If Agatha Christie would have been in the quoting mood, she could have called this story “The curious incident of the dog’s ball in the night-time”. DIf Agatha Christie would have been in the quoting mood, she could have called this story “The curious incident of the dog’s ball in the night-time”. Don’t worry, Bob the dog is not murdered. Old Miss Emily is not so lucky. After a few Agatha Christie mysteries, the setting becomes familiar: an elderly lady is murdered for her money, and members of her family and household are suspected. Hercule Poirot is called in, and solves the case. You’d think that by now I would have learned to suspect the least suspicious person, but apparently I have not learned, and I should have known it was the butler.*
As always, Agatha is soothing for the tired brain, and I very much enjoyed the narration by Hugh Fraser. I will not remember anything by tomorrow, but that lovely British accent and expert performance was a pleasant distraction.
I was intrigued when I found out that Agatha Christie has written a historical fiction novel set in ancient Egypt. I was not disappointed. The mysteryI was intrigued when I found out that Agatha Christie has written a historical fiction novel set in ancient Egypt. I was not disappointed. The mystery was elaborate, and the characters were perhaps a bit more developed than in an average Christie novel. The Egyptian setting was perhaps due to the fascination of the time with all things ancient Egyptian, and Christie does a reasonably good job of creating a credible atmosphere and the life of a well-to-do Egyptian family. The domestic sphere is mostly described from the women’s point of view. Despite the historical setting, the family is very familiar: of middle class characters gathered in a mansion, with the requisite staff and scribes (i.e. secretaries), a marriageable young widow, a wise old lady who suspects, a young woman who upsets the balance, an old spiteful servant, inheritance disputes...
The mystery is haunting, and the suspense grows as members of the family keep falling dead mysteriously one after another. I did not see the solution at all, as she kept throwing around red herrings and I was in the dark - yet the tension was building: who is next?
An interesting departure for Dame Agatha, but perhaps not that much of a departure. A clever mystery....more
The Once and Future King is a set of five books, roughly retelling the Arthurian Saga, looking back from the time of writing, which was roughly beforeThe Once and Future King is a set of five books, roughly retelling the Arthurian Saga, looking back from the time of writing, which was roughly before and during Warld War II. The story spans many decades, stories and styles, with the recurring theme of might vs right, and reaching a strong thematic discourse on war, whether humanity is predisposed to it, can it be prevented, can it be justified, how natural it is... clearly showing that a legend like Arthur can have universal meaning at all times.
There are five books in the cycle, each quite different, gradually getting darker, more mature, then circling back to the beginning. The Sword in the Stone depicts Arthur’s childhood as Wart, growing up as a ward in Sir Ector’s household, with his son, Kay as his friend and companion. Merlin shows up as his tutor, and gives him lessons by turning him into various animals and learning their special wisdom. This book reads like it is intended for children, with fantastical adventures, an irreverent, deliberately anachronistic style. Merlin is time-traveling backwards, and can tell things that will happen by his backsight. This makes him scatterbrained, and inclined for long speeches using analogies from modern times. It is quite delightful, once you get used to the jumping back and forth in time and references. This story ends with Wart pulling the sword out of the stone.
The next three books follow relatively closely the Arthurian legends. White does not retell Mallory’s work, rather expands on it and even tells you to go read Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table. There are two main themes: the love triangle of Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot; and Arthur’s goal of harnessing the might of the knights, and create peace in the realm by redirecting their violent fighting and pillaging to good purposes. Thus he founds the Knights of the Round Table and the chivalric code, which obliges the knights to go on quests to slay dragons, rescue damsels, and do good in general. This energizes the realm and people flock to his court, establishing him as a great and famous king. Many of the knight’s stories are retold, much of them are Lancelot’s.
Lancelot here is an ugly knight with serious insecurity issues, which he tries to overcome by becoming the greatest knight of all, thus gaining Arthur’s love. But when he shows up at court, he instantly falls in love with Guinevere, resulting in a life-long struggle between conscience, guilt, and his love for Arthur vs his love for Guinevere. It is a complicated relationship that endures many decades - Arthur knows but pretends not to know, because he does not want to lose his wife and his best friend - all three love each other, but in different ways. White renders the stages of the romance well, with the lover’s fights, madness, passion, and then the mature love. Their affair leads to the downfall of Arthur’s rule - or, more like it, serves as an excuse to bring an already crumpling reign down.
Arthur’s rule declines when the good knights run out of good deeds to do, and are itching to fight again. The quest for the Grail keeps them occupied for a while, but when they return, nothing is as it was before, and Arthur wonders if his quest to end the rule of might and establish the rule of justice has failed. When Mordred succeeds in creating a civil war between Lancelot and Arthur, things hit rock bottom...
...and Merlin spirits away the aging king for the fifth book, The Book of Merlin. This book is entirely a discussion about war, pro and con, among the court of animals. Merlin takes Arthur on two final trips into the animal kingdom, with dark significance of the time of writing. The society of ants completely subsumes the identity of individuals into the common interest. Everybody has an assigned role, a number, and must do as told... they only chat about silly music and how good the Leader is. The Leader requires them to come to serve the Fatherland. They have the right to take the other’s land and food because they are über ants... this is quite a terrifying allegory of fascism. The alternative is the free world of the geese, where everyone lives for the joy of living, leaders are chosen based on merit, individuals are respected, and they mate for life... Arthur wants to stay a goose but is hauled back to the discussion, which goes on about the merits of communism vs capitalism and fascism, individualism vs. socialism, war, and what should Arthur do.
This is a very interesting book, changing in tone and style, switching between ancient and present, between childish optimism and melancholy, chivalric romance and the reality of aging and complicated relationships. I was expecting a retelling of the Arthurian legend, and while that was in there, I really got something unexpected, entertaining and thought-provoking, and quite unique in its prose and outlook. A worthy read, and a classic for a reason....more
Leave it to Psmith (the “P” is silent, like in “pshrimp”) is much the same as the usual delightful P.G. Wodehouse fare. I found the story and the charLeave it to Psmith (the “P” is silent, like in “pshrimp”) is much the same as the usual delightful P.G. Wodehouse fare. I found the story and the characters above average, as he actually concocts a proper mystery story here, with less emphasis on the situational comedy and more on the over the top commentary. While each sentence separately is creative and witty, added up it is a bit less funny and more cumbersome than what I am accustomed to from Wodehouse. It is more of a 3.5 stars because it is entertaining, but rounded down as in comparison to others, it was less humorous and the locquacity of Psmith was a bit too much....more
Bertie and Aunt Dhalia are upto the usual shenanigans: extricating Bertie from an unwanted engagement, fixing up the engagement of a friend and gettinBertie and Aunt Dhalia are upto the usual shenanigans: extricating Bertie from an unwanted engagement, fixing up the engagement of a friend and getting him out of a tight spot; having Jeeves solve the knotty problem; and letting poor Bertie do everything uncomfortable for the sake of his friends and relatives, including taking all the blame.
There is nothing new in the story, so you might not want to go on an all-Jeeves binge. But reading or listening to a Wodehouse story every few months is an absolute delght, and I was guwaffing quite often. It is all in the telling, and I wish I had a quote but I was listening...
I was either just very much in the mood, or this story is one of his best. The situations are a little more tangled than usual; the wit seemed a bit sharper; and the cow-creamer has been stolen and unstolen again, without feeling like a repeat, but more like the return of an old joke that still delights - just like this story....more
Oscar Wilde turns the ghost story upside down, with some cheek towards British superstitiousness and a nod to American practicality. Instead of the ghOscar Wilde turns the ghost story upside down, with some cheek towards British superstitiousness and a nod to American practicality. Instead of the ghost frightening the family, he is spooked by practical jokes from the boys, an offer of oiling his chains from the father, and medicine from the mother. But most unexpectedly, he receives compassion and care from the little girl - who saves him. Written with humor and unusual tenderness from Wilde, a lovely short tale to listen to....more
Wow. Heartbreaking, true and raw, of a girl growing up in Brooklyn, their desperate poverty, happiness, and love between mother and father, father andWow. Heartbreaking, true and raw, of a girl growing up in Brooklyn, their desperate poverty, happiness, and love between mother and father, father and child, the wisdom of the women and the goodness of a man despite his failures. The pain of loss, of growing up, the struggle to survive and make life better for the children. A beautiful, very human story with deep and complex characters and a window to the life of a poor, immigrant family in Brooklyn in the 1910s.
Books that most affect me stump me so much that I can’t review them in detail, there is nothing to say but read the book. This is one of those books....more
I loved this, from beginning to end, it put a smile on my face. Lord Peter goes undercover and gets a day-job at an advertising industry, to investigaI loved this, from beginning to end, it put a smile on my face. Lord Peter goes undercover and gets a day-job at an advertising industry, to investigate a suspicious death by falling off the iron staircase. For the first time, he is earning money, and this leads to a delightful picture of office workers, gossip, their daily life and workplace socialization of an office in the 1930ies, which is something Sayers seem to be at home in. The office characters are colorful, and their tea-time chats occasion much witty banter. Sayers also muses much the advertising profession “whose essence is to tell plausible lies for money”.
Sayers is brilliant in describing the advertising of the era - apparently not much has changed:
All over London the lighs flickered in and out, calling on the public to save its body and purse: SOPO SAVES SCRUBBING—NUTRAX FOR NERVES—CRUNCHLETS ARE CRISPER—EAT PIPER PARRITCH—OH BOY, IT’S TOMBOY TOFFEE—FARLEYS FOOTWEAR TAKES YOU FURTHER—MAKE ALL SAFE WITH SANFECT—WHIFFLETS FASCINATE. The presses, thundering and growling, ground out the same appeals by the millions: ASK YOUR GROCER—ASK YOUR DOCTOR—ASK THE MAN WHO’S TRIED IT—MOTHERS! GIVE IT TO YOUR CHILDREN—HOUSEWIVES! SAVE MONEY—HUSBANDS! INSURE YOUR LIVES—DON’T SAY SOAP, SAY SOPO! Whatever you are doing, stop it and do something else! Whatever you are buying, pause and buy something different! Be hectored into health and prosperity! Never let up! Never go to sleep! Never be satisfied. If once you are satisfied, all our wheels will run down. Keep going - and if you can’t, try Nutrax for Nerves!”
The atmosphere suited Wimsey, a.k.a. Death Bredon, and “nothing pleased him better than to be interrupted in his encomiums of Sopo (“makes Monday Fun-day”) or the Whoosh Vacuum-cleaner (“one Whoosh and it’s clean”) by a fellow member of the department, fed-up with advertising and spoling for a chat.”
These are the highlights of the book, along with Wimsey’s fanciful scoldings of the badgirl de Momerie in the dark forest, dressed as Harlequin, sitting up a tree:
“You know anybody who is different?” “Yes, you are different.” “Only so long as I stay on my branch, Circe. If I come down to your level, I should be just like all the rest.” “Come down and try.” “I know when I am well off. You had better come up to me.” “You know I can’t.” “Of course you can’t. You can only go down and down.” “Are you trying to insult me?” “Yes, but it’s very difficult.”
We have a lot of such witty repartee, and I was well amused. We also have a cricket match, which was pretty incomprehensible and led to me looking it up on Wikipedia, and now I feel edumacated.
The mystery itself is also a departure as it is about a drug ring and not, as usual, some inheritance from a stuffy old aunt. Also, you know how the murderer is always the one you least expect? (view spoiler)[I totally discounted the suspect simply because he was way too obvious. (hide spoiler)]Ha! Good one, Ms Sayers!
Now, just because it is entertaining, it doesn’t mean its flawless. Sayers has gone a bit overboard with Lord Peter here. Mind you, I would go head-over-heels for a man who would be charming, educated, intelligent, and could quote poetry at me in a way it didn’t feel patronizing. Add that he is a filthy rich aristocrat, and it is already too much. But in this one he is also acrobatic, climbs fountains and trees, dives, cartwheels, is an excellent horseman, and a brilliant cricket champion. That, at age 42, with his smoking habits, and nowhere a word about exercise, is just simply too much. I mean, I enjoyed those feats, but I would have preferred him to stay at least somewhat in the realm of possibilities. I also did not like how comdescendingly Sayers treated the two bad girls in the book - nobody is worthless, and these girls clearly had issues.
Nevertheless, this is the most fun I had since my latest Pratchett. A home run for me. (What’s the cricket equivalent?)...more
This is a lovely story that comes really to life in Simon Arbitrage’s translation. He was truthful to the spirit of the original alliterative verse moThis is a lovely story that comes really to life in Simon Arbitrage’s translation. He was truthful to the spirit of the original alliterative verse more than to the exact wording, as he explains in the intro. This leads to lovely alliterations, which I found faboulously fun. Try saying “Then Gawain was Giddy with gladness” to see what I mean. Other fun quotes: “and hurriedly ask for specially spiced cakes that are speedily fetched” “insisting that mirth and merriment be made” “a price he promised to the person providing most comfort”
Armitage talentedly translates this thrilling text, and I was exquisitely entertained. Narrator Bill Wallis was faboulous. After reciting the translation, he reads the original middle English text, for which he deserves some sort of special award - but I admit I skipped it....more
This is a revered book on Greek mythology that many love. If this was my first book on Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and their exploits, I would haveThis is a revered book on Greek mythology that many love. If this was my first book on Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and their exploits, I would have loved it, too. However I already knew the stories, and have recently listened to Stephen Fry’s retelling, also to the Illiad and the Odyssey. Compared to those, Hamilton’s mythology is a rather dry Cliff’s Notes version - the summary of the stories, with the life wrung out of them. Also, why half a chapter on Norse mythology, when the Greek myths are detailed? Seemed tacked on and weak....more
The Nine Tailors is Sayers’s most acclaimed mystery. Its stars are the bells of Fenchurch St. Paul, and the complex change-ringing traditions of EnglaThe Nine Tailors is Sayers’s most acclaimed mystery. Its stars are the bells of Fenchurch St. Paul, and the complex change-ringing traditions of England, along with the village life, the Rector and the colorful village residents. This is certainly the most intricate mystery story I have read from Sayers so far, with continually changing viewpoints to the events as more and more people and evidence are connected the case. It is also very well written, getting into the characters using their speech patterns and written in vernicular for the farmers. The tone is more serious than other Lord Wimsey stories, as the events described have tragic consequences to several people, and Lord Peter has little opportunity to joke around.
Sayers have studied the bells, and bell sequences and minute details of change ringing abound. At the beginning, there is so much of it that I was thinking, it should better be worth it later - and I must say that it was.
The mystery itself starts with one corpse too many (see what I did there?) found in a grave when it is opened for the burial of a spouse. Who is the body? Hiw did he die? Is he the mysterious stranger who appeared in the village and disappeared around the time of the murder? Is this related to the sensational emerald theft story of 15 years before? There are many questions, and I must say, the most unsuspected murderer that I have ever read about.
I enjoyed this a great deal and I see why it is regarded as a very accomplished mystery - but I cannot give it five stars as I was greatly missing Harriet, Miss Climpson and much of the humor I am accustomed to from Sayers. Even so, it is a very fine mystery, indeed....more
This Agatha Christie is one of the queen of mystery’s finest and possibly the best representative of her Miss Marple series. Classic mystery, and quitThis Agatha Christie is one of the queen of mystery’s finest and possibly the best representative of her Miss Marple series. Classic mystery, and quite a humorous start, albeit turning more serious as the murders of two young teenagers are involved. Free on Hoopla, if you are looking for a quick, entertaining listen....more
This feels more autobiographical than a mystery, as Harriet spends a lot of her time in her old school at Oxford. There is much discussion about prejuThis feels more autobiographical than a mystery, as Harriet spends a lot of her time in her old school at Oxford. There is much discussion about prejudice against women of learning, and against unmarried women, especially those who choose career over marriage. Among the highlights of the book are learned conversations about philosophy and science with an almost all-women cast, the likes of which were abundant in Victorian literature, but with only male participants.
Harriet spends much of her time on introspection, and also re-evaluating why she is running from Lord Peter, and during a memorable afternoon boat trip (referenced in To Say Nothing of the Dog, which I am reading at the same time), gazing at the dozing Peter, she realizes that she loves him.
There is also a mystery, but it plays very much in the background, with the main theme being Harriet and the life and faculty of an eminent women’s college in the thirties. I actually did not care for the mystery too much, but I enjoyed the book, and the interactions of the nearly all female cast....more
Don Quixote, the first modern novel, and according to many, the best ever written, is a farce, a satire on the chivalric novels, but also a tale of twDon Quixote, the first modern novel, and according to many, the best ever written, is a farce, a satire on the chivalric novels, but also a tale of two mad but loveable characters, a commentary on society, prejudice, casual cruelty, as well as a discussion of philosophy and literature. First and foremost though it is a tale of adventure and many stories, full of humor but also sadness and pain.
Don Quixote is really long, but it is episodic, and as such, it lends itself well to listening on audio, especially if you find a good translation and a good narrator. After trying Simon Vance’s narration, and not liking his exaggarated, affected performance, especially of the titular knight, I switched to the acclaimed translation of Edith Grossman, narrated by George Guidall, whose performance is much more in character of the honest madness of Don Quixote and the amusing babbling of Sancho Panza. It was a delightful listen, some longer philosophical passages notwithstanding.
The book was published originally in two volumes, separated by 10 years. Part 1 was a huge success, so much so that a poorly written sequel was published by an imitator, whom Cervantes mocks in the second volume. Much of the book is meta-fiction: Cervantes insists he is translating the work of a Moorish historian, who wrote of a real person. He also satirizes literature in his novel, especially the chivalric romances, but also contemporary books and plays.
Tropes of romances are ridiculed constantly: a knight errant must be constantly, but chastely, in love; hoardes of extremely beautiful damsels are in distress, whom a knight must succor; he must follow strict rules of chivalry and honor; we have castles and dukes and duchesses and romantic mischief. Don Quixote’s lust for adventure often goes awry. He mistakes windmills and wine skins for giants; inns for castles; a flock of sheep for an army; and once, a bunch of puppets for attacking Moors. Much of his arrogance leads to beatings and abuse by irate inn keepers, farmers and travelers. This results in much pain for Sancho Panza, suffering a lot on his master’s behalf.
Part 1 is mostly a farce, where Don Quixote establishes his fame for chivalrous madness with many misadventures, resulting from his own delusions, but also from cruel jokes played on him. In the second book he already has established his fame, as many people have read the book published about him. He encounters rich people who create elaborate foils to amuse themselves with his madness, and with Sancho’s comical sayings. I enjoyed the second part more, as both Quixote and Sancho go through a lot of character development, and their relationship deepens. Both display uncommon wisdom in many situations, and learn important lessons, especially Sancho, who decides that a full stomach makes him a lot happier than a governorship of an insula.
This tale is enduring because of its humor and humanity, and I am glad that I have devoted the time to experience this timeless classic....more
Oscar Wilde, as usual, is hilariously witty. In this society drama he tackles the hypocrAnother one that was referenced in To Say Nothing of the Dog.
Oscar Wilde, as usual, is hilariously witty. In this society drama he tackles the hypocrisy of shutting “fallen” women out of society yet excusing everything to men. He points out that those “good” women may do the same as the “bad” women in the heat of the moment or desperation - and those worlds are much closer to each other than society pretends.
The quotes are exquisite in this one. A few that I particularly enjoyed: “ We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ”
“ In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. ”
“ [A cynic is] a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. ”
I had to read this, as it is referenced in To Say Nothing of the Dog. I guess as one of the earliest mystery writings, it gets the credit for deductioI had to read this, as it is referenced in To Say Nothing of the Dog. I guess as one of the earliest mystery writings, it gets the credit for deduction, and making the point of understanding your opponent, instead of getting stuck in your own head. On the other hand, it suffers from the 19th century writers’s habit of long philosophizing, in this case about mathematicians who have no common sense - a notion that has not changed much, as I know several mathematicians. Nevertheless, meandering discussions might be forgiven in something sprawling like The Brothers Karamazov, but in such a short story, they are distracting. ...more
LADY STUTFIELD. Ah! The world was made for men and not for women. MRS. ALLONBY. Oh, don't say that, Lady Stutfield. We have a much better time than t
LADY STUTFIELD. Ah! The world was made for men and not for women. MRS. ALLONBY. Oh, don't say that, Lady Stutfield. We have a much better time than they have. There are far more things forbidden to us than are forbidden to them.
In this drawing-room comedy, Wilde sharply criticizes the British society’s different moral standards for women and men. Women are harshly punished, while men walk away. He also admires the American’s “Puritan” values, egalitarianism and straight talk, which are embodied in the young American girl, Hester Worsley. All of which is wrapped in Wilde’s usual free-wheeling wit. Like other of his works, this one is full of sharp quotes.
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