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3.07 AVERAGE
3.07 AVERAGE
One of the classic detectives of all time is Philo Vance. I had problems finding free kindle versions of any of the S.S. VanDine books that feature this character, until I stumbled upon my friends at Gutenberg/Australia. The first few chapters are a tough slog. The author spends way too much time telling us about Philo Vance, as opposed to showing us what he's like (the latter always makes for more interesting writing). Through out the book, Vance comes across as a total effete jerk. He's one of those privileged, rich people who don't see anything wrong in being intentionally offensive, so long as the offensiveness is masked under the guise of humorous banter. I'm pretty sure that at some point he mentioned how important it was to be gentlemanly and polite. All the while, however, he thinks his exalted state of being makes it ok to trample all over peoples' senses of self worth. Or something. Suffice to say he's an asshole. The very good review by dfordoom indicates that people tend either to love Philo Vance or else hate him.
That being said, after I'd slogged through a third of the book, it got to be interesting, and kept my attention until the end. Perhaps I'd become used to Vance's jerkiness and could shrug it off.
One has to suspend reality when reading Philo Vance. He's convinced that everything can be explained if one only understands human psychology adequately. So, using his psychological methods, he fingers the murderer almost immediately, but then feels a need to slowly walk the law officers through the steps of arresting the correct person, because they lack the imagination and psychological insight to understand the issues on their own. Of course, almost a century later, we realize that psychology is not at all a science, but is pretty much a bull-shit field of endeavor, populated heavily by hacks and charlatans, much like the field of economics.
Another interesting thing is that the actual convicting evidence was mostly obtained by illegal means. The murderer would never have been convicted in a modern court of law. I didn't realize how little respect people had for the Fourth Amendment a century ago. I can't decide if I'll read any more Philo Vance or not. I don't have a high level of tolerance for intentional jerks, but on the other hand, the story was interesting in its own way. We'll see. First, however, I'll sample Charley Chan.
That being said, after I'd slogged through a third of the book, it got to be interesting, and kept my attention until the end. Perhaps I'd become used to Vance's jerkiness and could shrug it off.
One has to suspend reality when reading Philo Vance. He's convinced that everything can be explained if one only understands human psychology adequately. So, using his psychological methods, he fingers the murderer almost immediately, but then feels a need to slowly walk the law officers through the steps of arresting the correct person, because they lack the imagination and psychological insight to understand the issues on their own. Of course, almost a century later, we realize that psychology is not at all a science, but is pretty much a bull-shit field of endeavor, populated heavily by hacks and charlatans, much like the field of economics.
Another interesting thing is that the actual convicting evidence was mostly obtained by illegal means. The murderer would never have been convicted in a modern court of law. I didn't realize how little respect people had for the Fourth Amendment a century ago. I can't decide if I'll read any more Philo Vance or not. I don't have a high level of tolerance for intentional jerks, but on the other hand, the story was interesting in its own way. We'll see. First, however, I'll sample Charley Chan.
Si vede che questo romanzo è stato scritto da un critico letterario, perché è infarcito della prosa più pretenziosa che abbia mai letto.
Such an interesting writing style. It would never work today, but it probably worked really well when it was first published. Great as a period piece.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I quite enjoy the classic radio mysteries featuring Philo Vance and thought this book might be fun. It was really interesting and definitely a product of its time, especially since Vance solves this case using a type of psychology which, lo these many years later, is suspect at best.
The writing was certainly interesting and, since I was listening to the story I can't be sure, but it seemed like the room the murder occurred in got as much if not more descriptive lines than Philo Vance himself.
The general conceit of the story is that the author got to tag along on these cases and, many years later, is finally publishing their exploits a la Dr. Watson. This time, though, the author takes great pains to tell us that Philo Vance is a pen name.
For the first story in the series, there is a gentleman, Mr. Benson, who has been murdered in his home. As with many mysteries, there are many people who might have wanted him dead. The police are stymied and Vance is dropping oblique clues. And they really are oblique; I might be able to catch them in future books but didn't get it until close to the end.
The writing was certainly interesting and, since I was listening to the story I can't be sure, but it seemed like the room the murder occurred in got as much if not more descriptive lines than Philo Vance himself.
The general conceit of the story is that the author got to tag along on these cases and, many years later, is finally publishing their exploits a la Dr. Watson. This time, though, the author takes great pains to tell us that Philo Vance is a pen name.
For the first story in the series, there is a gentleman, Mr. Benson, who has been murdered in his home. As with many mysteries, there are many people who might have wanted him dead. The police are stymied and Vance is dropping oblique clues. And they really are oblique; I might be able to catch them in future books but didn't get it until close to the end.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Philo was not very likable; not nearly so much as portrayed by William Powell!
slow-paced
It is about 1925 in New York City. The district attorney finds himself faced with the murder of a prominant man, Alvin Benson. The detective in charge and the DA determine the murderer is a woman, but Philo Vance, the DA's friend suggests making that arrest is a mistake. Vance then leads them through a chase from possible suspect to possible suspect..
There appears to be a love hate relationship with Philo Vance.. I am not a connoisseur of mysteries, but I have read quite few and find myself in the love camp, although the long explanations and similarities to Lord Peter Wimsey got old.. This dip into American golden age mysteries has been fun for me.
There appears to be a love hate relationship with Philo Vance.. I am not a connoisseur of mysteries, but I have read quite few and find myself in the love camp, although the long explanations and similarities to Lord Peter Wimsey got old.. This dip into American golden age mysteries has been fun for me.
mysterious
medium-paced