For years I have loved the Lord Peter Wimsey stories of Dorothy L Sayers. DLS died in 1957, leaving one novel unfinished and various bits of writing and sketches which she may have turned into further books. Forty years later, the executors of her estate approached Jill Paton Walsh and asked her to finish "Thrones, Dominations" which she did in 1998. I quite enjoyed it, and felt JPW's writing had got the right "feel", and particularly handled the dynamics of the relationship's between key characters [Wimsey, his wife Harriet, manservant Butler, and the rest of the family - minor aristocracy in Norfolk, and a Scotland Yard detective] I never got round to reading any more of JPW's Wimsey stories. She died during lockdown. Two weeks ago, I was in Norwich Library and spotted the three remaining books on the shelf. I borrowed them all!
And I think she just tried too hard - there was far too much reference to the earlier Wimsey stories. And whilst I love Peter and Harriet's "piffling" conversations, I think they overdid it a bit. Particularly the literary references - I don't mind occasionally having to stop and look something up so I can understand, but when it is every other paragraph...
As Sue found with Jim Eldridge's wartime book, the references to Bletchley Park seemed wrong - it was the same in Presumption of Death. Yes I know Peter is supposed to be working with British Intelligence, so might conceivably know about BP, but I think he would also have been wise enough to recognise that having signed the Official Secrets Act, he was not supposed to discuss BP "Until 30 years after the cessation of hostilities".
As Sue found with Jim Eldridge's wartime book, the references to Bletchley Park seemed wrong - it was the same in Presumption of Death. Yes I know Peter is supposed to be working with British Intelligence, so might conceivably know about BP, but I think he would also have been wise enough to recognise that having signed the Official Secrets Act, he was not supposed to discuss BP "Until 30 years after the cessation of hostilities".
This is poor research I think - to get two things so wrong - and I was disappointed both that JPW made the errors and her editors did not pick up on them,
So I am rating these whodunits as just ***
I read these several years ago, when they were first published and enjoyed them - so it must have been before I noticed the poor research or I've got less tolerant as I've got older!!
ReplyDeleteOr is it that now we allow ourselves a little more time to read, with less distractions [work commitments, ironing basket, children underfoot] so we pick up on these things more quickly? And with the internet, we can check things so much more easily
DeleteI'm far less knowledgeable about things like rationing, and read more for plot so was able to enjoy the stories. I can imagine that those who 'know', especially you with your Bletchley Park connection wouldn't be as easily pleased as I was!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that I might read a novel featuring musical stuff and not spot errors which you or Kezzie would pick up immediately
DeleteThat's a shame! I think I've read one Sayers book but I don't remember anything about it. People tell me I'd love Wimsey!
ReplyDeleteI think you would enjoy them - and he is a competent musician 🎶🎵too [and DLS got her details right]
DeleteI enjoy reading your book reviews, even when they are not of the type of book I'd enjoy reading. :)
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DeleteKezzie - a good way into Wimsey is the abridged R4 dramas. You can often find them repeated on R4X - just search Wimsey in BBC Sounds. You may also find them in your local library app (Libby or BorrowBox) as eAudiobooks. They usually are two and a half to three hours long. Abridged but giving a good flavour of the books.
ReplyDeleteWhile “Gaudy Night” seems to be a perennial favourite, it is possibly best enjoyed once you have already met Peter and Harriet. Possibly “Murder must Advertise” is a good book to start with - DLS draws on her work as an advertising copywriter and her love of cricket. Alison
Thanks Alison - and I agree, Murder Must Advertise was the first Wimsey I read, and it is a good starter book!
DeleteI have only read one Peter Wimsey book Gaudy Night it was a book in a holiday cottage and I had run out of things to read. I think it was ok, a long time ago, but I have never read another so probably wasn't my cup of tea. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteGaudy Night is not one of my favourites!
DeleteI love Peter Wimsey too, and have read all the DS books, tried one by JPW, but didn't like it. Radio 4 Extra often serialise them and that's a lovely way to listen to them. At the moment its Paul Temple. Xx
ReplyDeleteI notice that R4X now has done some more Paul Temple with new actors - Paul Coke is long gone, now he is played by Crawford Logan
DeleteI used to read the DLS books avidly. I always think something is lacking when another author tries to pick up the stories.
ReplyDeleteAgreed - the number of people who have tried to write a sequel to Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca have generally failed imho! Although I think PD James "Death comes to Pemberly" is a brilliant follow up to Pride and Prejudice. And I loved the Anna Maxwell Martin film.
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