Scan barcode
tbr_the_unconquered's review against another edition
3.0
Me : Good day ladies and gentlemen, before 2014 became another memory there was space for one more set of stories. A set of stories which to all common ways of thought appear to be mere puzzles but which on a slightly deeper introspection take the shape of intellectual dilemmas which completely bowl men over who have been through them. That said, I had at an earlier point in time introduced all of you to the vociferous yet intensely cerebral group of men known as the Black Widowers. Our guest today is the most esteemed and brainy member of this group, the quintessential problem solver of them all. Please join me in welcoming Henry Jackson to the show.
Henry : Thank you sir. You flatter me with the description.
Me : Welcome to the show Henry. I don’t suppose I exaggerated. For the benefit of everyone here, please introduce yourself.
Henry : Hello all. Now that you know my name, I can summarize my life stating that I work as a waiter at the Milano restaurant in New York and also function as a honorary member of the Black Widowers club.
Me : What does the Black Widower’s club symbolize ?
Henry : The club is a group of six very well settled and academically inclined men sir. They gather once a month for dinner at the Milano and I have the fortune of serving and assisting them while they are around. While they are at this monthly dinner, each member can bring a guest with whom they will hold an after dinner conversation.
Me : This conversation you mentioned, what tone does it take ?
Henry : The guests are grilled with questions in the true sense of the word sir. It is a no holds barred conversation in which the person in question can be asked questions on anything that troubles or worries them and they need to provide all the specifics they can.
Me : So then the members find a solution to these questions ?
Henry : Solution might be too blunt a word sir. The members try to view the problem from a multitude of perspectives and try to offer plausible explanations for them.
Me : Come now Henry, I have heard that you solve almost every one of the puzzles by yourself. Isn’t that so ?
Henry : A most incorrect conclusion sir. While I do offer suggestions and explanations it is a result of listening to all that the esteemed gentlemen have to say on the matter. A mere crystallization of a wide variety of thoughts.
Me : You are being modest Henry but let me not grill you too much. Is there anything more you wish to add ?
Henry : Only one thing sir. Gentlemen of the club, thank you for making me feel honored on your account. It has been a great pleasure being with you. Thank you again !
Me : Kind words Henry. Thank you for being with us and here’s wishing you a great 2015.
Henry : The pleasure is mine sir. A wonderful year to you too.
Me : So the curtains come down on 2014 folks ! Another year and another set of books await us with promises of much grander adventures. Until 2015 ! Happy New Year to you all !
Henry : Thank you sir. You flatter me with the description.
Me : Welcome to the show Henry. I don’t suppose I exaggerated. For the benefit of everyone here, please introduce yourself.
Henry : Hello all. Now that you know my name, I can summarize my life stating that I work as a waiter at the Milano restaurant in New York and also function as a honorary member of the Black Widowers club.
Me : What does the Black Widower’s club symbolize ?
Henry : The club is a group of six very well settled and academically inclined men sir. They gather once a month for dinner at the Milano and I have the fortune of serving and assisting them while they are around. While they are at this monthly dinner, each member can bring a guest with whom they will hold an after dinner conversation.
Me : This conversation you mentioned, what tone does it take ?
Henry : The guests are grilled with questions in the true sense of the word sir. It is a no holds barred conversation in which the person in question can be asked questions on anything that troubles or worries them and they need to provide all the specifics they can.
Me : So then the members find a solution to these questions ?
Henry : Solution might be too blunt a word sir. The members try to view the problem from a multitude of perspectives and try to offer plausible explanations for them.
Me : Come now Henry, I have heard that you solve almost every one of the puzzles by yourself. Isn’t that so ?
Henry : A most incorrect conclusion sir. While I do offer suggestions and explanations it is a result of listening to all that the esteemed gentlemen have to say on the matter. A mere crystallization of a wide variety of thoughts.
Me : You are being modest Henry but let me not grill you too much. Is there anything more you wish to add ?
Henry : Only one thing sir. Gentlemen of the club, thank you for making me feel honored on your account. It has been a great pleasure being with you. Thank you again !
Me : Kind words Henry. Thank you for being with us and here’s wishing you a great 2015.
Henry : The pleasure is mine sir. A wonderful year to you too.
Me : So the curtains come down on 2014 folks ! Another year and another set of books await us with promises of much grander adventures. Until 2015 ! Happy New Year to you all !
lucieferg's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first Black Widowers collection... Some of the puzzle solutions were a bit doubtful, and just less intriguing. However it's a comforting read if you like cozy, repetitive format. I think the real reason to read it is Asimov's hilarious style and how he writes like it is just for you (e.g. the author's notes at the end of each story).
octavia_cade's review
3.0
I think I'm getting better at this! Usually I'm pretty stupid at mysteries, but this time I got three of the answers before Henry did. ("The Fourth Homonym", "Sunset on the Water", and "The Alibi".)
This collection is, like the other Widower collections I've read, a fun and easy (if not spectacular) read. More and more, though, I find myself focusing on the menu rather than the puzzle - possibly because I'm stumped on the biggest puzzle of all: why Henry works as a waiter when he's clearly got evil genius potential.
This collection is, like the other Widower collections I've read, a fun and easy (if not spectacular) read. More and more, though, I find myself focusing on the menu rather than the puzzle - possibly because I'm stumped on the biggest puzzle of all: why Henry works as a waiter when he's clearly got evil genius potential.
More...