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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
My favorite of all the Lord Peter Wimsey stories so far. I think because he’s less flighty in this one and I like his relationship with his new wife and how they adjust to each other and help each other.
Generally, I like Sayer's books, but this one really was tedious and I skimmed a fair bit. Lord Peter and Harriet have finally married, which never seems to work as well in literature as when characters are trying to get together or work things out. Had to skip several pages of them talking about being in love--ick.
As with many of Sayers' novels, the focus of this story is arguably NOT the mystery at hand. Immediately following Gaudy Night, Busman's Honeymoon picks up on the day of Peter and Harriet's wedding and follows them to their honeymoon. As something of a wedding gift, Peter has purchased Harriet a house in the village in which she grew up, and which she had always daydreamed about as a girl. Upon their arrival to the home, they discover that the former occupant has not completely vacated the premises...he's the corpse in the basement. Their first case as husband and wife finds Harriet adjusting to a side of Wimsey that she had never really noticed before. At least not at such close quarters. Harriet is unsure of her role in Wimsey's practice, and is startled by how deeply he feels the guilt of being responsible for finding the killer. Though he has a strong sense of moral correctness, he never fails to realize that the murderer is still a human being, and that due to his investigations that human will now also lose his life as a consequence of his actions.
Probably one of my favourite endings to a book; bittersweet and painful, yet also beautiful. Highly recommend.
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gaudy Night, which I didn't re-read, is the best of the Harriet Vane/Peter Wimsey love story mysteries, but this is a close second. Count the quotations on your way to not solving this romp with great characters and a lot of humor -- but you can't start here. You can begin with Gaudy Night, but you need at least that much background.
mysterious
This is my first book from Sayers and I love her writing. Looking forward to more.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Good, though quite a lot of French. I don't mind the mystery being secondary, (my mind can't keep up with the who done what and whens, anyway) having come in primarily for the Lord Peter and Harriet shipping. This book is a love letter to fans of the pairing.
Very witty, so many quotables. Read on a device but if I had the paperback it would be sopping with highlighter fluid. Glad to have the softcopy though, made looking up translations easier. Although, I think I still don't really get 'no shabby tigers'. This caliber of writing makes me feel so simple-minded. It's fascinating to watch the cleverness though, even if I don't always get it, but am happy to be a mere spectator around these amazing people. I imagine if they spoke to me I'd be dumbstruck anyway.
Obviously very character-driven. I would follow this trio (Peter, Harriet, Bunter) without a plot.
I do get the theatrical sense from this, the way it is written. When they were re-enacting the possible ways the murder could have been committed, I saw it in my mind as I would a scene on television. That Bunter exploded about the port- very dramatic. I've seen a few clips of the Petherbridge series, so many times I would be reading and "watching" things happen.
The ending, not happy, but so very human. Peter not the devil-may-care, untouchable hero, but a man, still haunted by some PTSD, who feels very keenly the consequences of his actions. I am thankful that Harriet is his corner, and he now has somewhere to hide.
(end of thoughts on book. can skip what follows, just disjointed notes to self on my own marriage)
As a newlywed myself, nodded along at many of the insights on the dynamics of marriage. The Dowager Duchess gives good advice. I should try to make an ally of my own MIL as well, as much as can be done with the cultural/language gap. There are very good points on love with honour. I don't know how that can be done in my own case. I'd already set my mind to Obey. It was a struggle at first, coming to terms with loss of self and independence. This book makes me think it need not be that way. But am not a Harriet. Have a rather weak character. What is the harm in diluting it a bit further. And DH seems to look forward to the traditional Confucian relationship, and he has been so patient with me for the five years, he deserves as much. Being "wifely and solicitous" might be the best thing to do.
Very witty, so many quotables. Read on a device but if I had the paperback it would be sopping with highlighter fluid. Glad to have the softcopy though, made looking up translations easier. Although, I think I still don't really get 'no shabby tigers'. This caliber of writing makes me feel so simple-minded. It's fascinating to watch the cleverness though, even if I don't always get it, but am happy to be a mere spectator around these amazing people. I imagine if they spoke to me I'd be dumbstruck anyway.
Obviously very character-driven. I would follow this trio (Peter, Harriet, Bunter) without a plot.
I do get the theatrical sense from this, the way it is written. When they were re-enacting the possible ways the murder could have been committed, I saw it in my mind as I would a scene on television. That Bunter exploded about the port- very dramatic. I've seen a few clips of the Petherbridge series, so many times I would be reading and "watching" things happen.
The ending, not happy, but so very human. Peter not the devil-may-care, untouchable hero, but a man, still haunted by some PTSD, who feels very keenly the consequences of his actions. I am thankful that Harriet is his corner, and he now has somewhere to hide.
(end of thoughts on book. can skip what follows, just disjointed notes to self on my own marriage)
As a newlywed myself, nodded along at many of the insights on the dynamics of marriage. The Dowager Duchess gives good advice. I should try to make an ally of my own MIL as well, as much as can be done with the cultural/language gap. There are very good points on love with honour. I don't know how that can be done in my own case. I'd already set my mind to Obey. It was a struggle at first, coming to terms with loss of self and independence. This book makes me think it need not be that way. But am not a Harriet. Have a rather weak character. What is the harm in diluting it a bit further. And DH seems to look forward to the traditional Confucian relationship, and he has been so patient with me for the five years, he deserves as much. Being "wifely and solicitous" might be the best thing to do.