Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I just finished reading Dorothy L Sayers' Strong Poison for like the millionth time. I reread it last fall, too. These challenges keep getting me, you see. Last fall, as part of a challenge, I read it as the fulfillment of a requirement to "Re-read a book you consider an old friend." This year I have signed up to read all the Lord Peter Wimsey books in order. And I've now reached the first novel in the Lord Peter/Harriet Vane quartet.
I'm not sure that I have much new to say about it this time around. It's one of my favorite reads. It's probably one of the books that I have reread the most. As I mention in my most recent review (you can see my review for my other edition of this book), this book begins a transformation of the Wimsey character--from Bertie Wooster with brains to a character with multiple layers. And as the relationship with Harriet progresses, he peels off layer after layer to reveal what a complex man he is.
I also love this book because the Dowager Duchess and Miss Climpson both make appearances. And the book would be worth it just for the scene where Miss Murchinson learns to pick locks from former burglar Blindfold Bill. There is much to love in this mystery--and most of it involves the marvelous characters that Sayers presents us with. Five stars has been my consistent rating.
I'm not sure that I have much new to say about it this time around. It's one of my favorite reads. It's probably one of the books that I have reread the most. As I mention in my most recent review (you can see my review for my other edition of this book), this book begins a transformation of the Wimsey character--from Bertie Wooster with brains to a character with multiple layers. And as the relationship with Harriet progresses, he peels off layer after layer to reveal what a complex man he is.
I also love this book because the Dowager Duchess and Miss Climpson both make appearances. And the book would be worth it just for the scene where Miss Murchinson learns to pick locks from former burglar Blindfold Bill. There is much to love in this mystery--and most of it involves the marvelous characters that Sayers presents us with. Five stars has been my consistent rating.
Reviewed 5/11/19: Dorothy L. Sayers's Strong Poison (1930) is a perennial favorite. I could not possibly tell you how many times I have read her mysteries starring Lord Peter Wimsey and this one in particular. I love it for many reasons and I recount a number of them at the review linked above (and the previous review linked within that one). I have also, as frequent visitors to my blog may have noticed, been on an audio novel bing this spring. This audio novel read by the incomparable Ian Carmichael is the latest of the LPW books on CD that I've brought home and this review (like previous audio novel reviews) will focus on the audio version and not the story itself.
This was especially satisfying because my last Sayers audio novel was not read by Ian Carmichael and did not impress me much. Carmichael is quite adept at giving voice to the numerous characters which Sayers uses to tell her tale of Harriet Vane, who stands wrongly accused of the murder of her lover, and the efforts to bring the correct villain to justice. He represents both men and women with equal talent and manages to portray various classes and professions--from servants to the aristocrats and from lawyers to reformed burglars with charming ease. I spent several delightful hours listening to Carmichael tell this much loved story. Full marks for a grand performance.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Reviewed 3/29/22: As I mention in my previous review of the audio version of the first of Sayers's books to feature Harriet Vane, this is a perennial favorite. I love listening to Ian Carmichael read the story. I love going back to the beginning of his romance with Harriet and the beginnings of the changes and growth in his character. But most delightful for me this time was following the adventures of the minor characters, Miss Climpson and Miss Murchison. It worth the price of admission to see Blindfold Bill teach Miss Murchison how to pick a the lock of a certain deed box:
"Deed-box, that's nuffin'. That ain't no field for a man's skill. Robbin' the kids' money-box, that's what it is with they trumpery little locks. There ain't a deed-box in this 'ere city wot I couldn't open blindfold in boxing gloves with a stick of boiled macaroni."
"I know Bill; but it isn't you who's got to do it. Can you teach the lady how to work it?"
And, course Miss Climpson (with her CAPITALS and italicized letters to Lord Peter) describing her adventures through the tricks of fake table-turning and ouija board manipulation to find the will of an old lady--the contents of which may just hold the answer to who really murdered Philip Boyes, since we jolly well know that Harriet Vane didn't. Her details on the behind-the-scenes in the jury room are also most exciting.
I hope I never get tired of the Lord Peter Wimsey books. The language is so rich and delightful; it never seems to lose its flavor, no matter how many times I read them or listen to the audio novels. And I always feel like I'm visiting with old friends when I sit down and sink into one of the stories.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
This was especially satisfying because my last Sayers audio novel was not read by Ian Carmichael and did not impress me much. Carmichael is quite adept at giving voice to the numerous characters which Sayers uses to tell her tale of Harriet Vane, who stands wrongly accused of the murder of her lover, and the efforts to bring the correct villain to justice. He represents both men and women with equal talent and manages to portray various classes and professions--from servants to the aristocrats and from lawyers to reformed burglars with charming ease. I spent several delightful hours listening to Carmichael tell this much loved story. Full marks for a grand performance.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Reviewed 3/29/22: As I mention in my previous review of the audio version of the first of Sayers's books to feature Harriet Vane, this is a perennial favorite. I love listening to Ian Carmichael read the story. I love going back to the beginning of his romance with Harriet and the beginnings of the changes and growth in his character. But most delightful for me this time was following the adventures of the minor characters, Miss Climpson and Miss Murchison. It worth the price of admission to see Blindfold Bill teach Miss Murchison how to pick a the lock of a certain deed box:
"Deed-box, that's nuffin'. That ain't no field for a man's skill. Robbin' the kids' money-box, that's what it is with they trumpery little locks. There ain't a deed-box in this 'ere city wot I couldn't open blindfold in boxing gloves with a stick of boiled macaroni."
"I know Bill; but it isn't you who's got to do it. Can you teach the lady how to work it?"
And, course Miss Climpson (with her CAPITALS and italicized letters to Lord Peter) describing her adventures through the tricks of fake table-turning and ouija board manipulation to find the will of an old lady--the contents of which may just hold the answer to who really murdered Philip Boyes, since we jolly well know that Harriet Vane didn't. Her details on the behind-the-scenes in the jury room are also most exciting.
I hope I never get tired of the Lord Peter Wimsey books. The language is so rich and delightful; it never seems to lose its flavor, no matter how many times I read them or listen to the audio novels. And I always feel like I'm visiting with old friends when I sit down and sink into one of the stories.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, Dementia, Classism
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As oddly lazy as I find the romance writing to be, the plot is just as solid as other Wimsey novels
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No