Scan barcode
A review by shanaqui
London Particular by Christianna Brand
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Christianna Brand's mysteries aren't entirely my thing, and London Particular is perhaps the not-my-thingest. One of the major characters, Rosie, has been sleeping around and got pregnant, and much of the narrative revolves around tearing her down for it -- exposing her petty lies without sympathy, and to put it baldly, slut-shaming her all the way. Some of the other characters pity her, and yet it's not a kind sort of pity.
Of course, the book and its judgements are a product of their time, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to read. Rosie's a careless girl, true enough, and her actions make her a little unlikeable at times, but none of that is helped by the fact that the narrative doesn't like her. Oddly enough, she reminds me of Thea Gilmore's song "Rosie", not just in name.
Anyway, the mystery itself is alright. It avoids some of the trends I've seen in Brand's other books, so it surprised me a little in that sense, and there's some genuine tension in the court scenes, and in the way some of the characters try to shield each other, stand up for one another. But... mostly Brand's work isn't quite my thing. I don't think she had much sympathy for other women who didn't fit her mould, and it shows.
Of course, the book and its judgements are a product of their time, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to read. Rosie's a careless girl, true enough, and her actions make her a little unlikeable at times, but none of that is helped by the fact that the narrative doesn't like her. Oddly enough, she reminds me of Thea Gilmore's song "Rosie", not just in name.
Anyway, the mystery itself is alright. It avoids some of the trends I've seen in Brand's other books, so it surprised me a little in that sense, and there's some genuine tension in the court scenes, and in the way some of the characters try to shield each other, stand up for one another. But... mostly Brand's work isn't quite my thing. I don't think she had much sympathy for other women who didn't fit her mould, and it shows.