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brandypainter's reviews
1984 reviews
Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers
5.0
Strong Poison is a book that is mystery, romance, philosophy and social commentary combined in a very interesting and funny story. This is the third book of Dorothy Sayers I have read and now I know why so many people claim she was a genius.
Lord Peter Wimsey is in a hurry to figure out who murdered a little known writer before the wrong person is convicted and hanged. The police are convinced he was murdered by his former lover, Harriet Vane, who is a mystery writer. When her first trial ends with the jury being unable to reach an agreement Lord Peter steps up to help find proof of the defendant's innocence. He only has a month before the new trial begins and normally that would challenge him. But this time he is not interested in the challenge so much as the outcome because he has fallen in love with Harriet.
It was interesting to watch Peter, who is normally so in control and cool, lose it a little in this story. Also for someone who always knows what to say he totally puts his foot in it the first time he meets Harriet. All of thier interactions in this book were hilarious.
I read Gaudy Night first, not realizing it was part of a sequence and while it did not hurt my enjoyment of this book I wish I could have experienced reading them in order
Lord Peter Wimsey is in a hurry to figure out who murdered a little known writer before the wrong person is convicted and hanged. The police are convinced he was murdered by his former lover, Harriet Vane, who is a mystery writer. When her first trial ends with the jury being unable to reach an agreement Lord Peter steps up to help find proof of the defendant's innocence. He only has a month before the new trial begins and normally that would challenge him. But this time he is not interested in the challenge so much as the outcome because he has fallen in love with Harriet.
It was interesting to watch Peter, who is normally so in control and cool, lose it a little in this story. Also for someone who always knows what to say he totally puts his foot in it the first time he meets Harriet. All of thier interactions in this book were hilarious.
I read Gaudy Night first, not realizing it was part of a sequence and while it did not hurt my enjoyment of this book I wish I could have experienced reading them in order
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
4.0
Wildwood Dancing is a fairytale retelling two for one. It combines elements from both The Twelve Dancing Princesses and The Frog Prince. Add to that the traditional folklore of the Transylvania countryside where the story takes place and it makes for a compelling novel.
I loved every aspect of this novel. The setting of the wildwood, lake and the castle of Piscul Dracului were brought to life in beautiful prose that were never weighed down with too much description. The plot was intricate but never hard to follow. I particularly enjoyed how the author melded the realms of the mortal and fey world. They are separate but also the same, completely interconnected and requiring balance. In the hands of a lesser author conveying the complexities of this world would have been disastrous but Juliet Marillier makes it seem simple and renders it beautiful at the same time.
The novel is told in first person by Jena, the second eldest of five sisters who cross over to the world of the fairies to dance every full moon. Jena is the sensible practical sister. She is unique in that she has a constant companion in a frog named Gogu. She can hear Gogu's thoughts and he is her closest friend and most wise adviser. Jena, at fifteen, is learning what it means to be a grown woman. The readers is able to share in this remarkable journey with her and becomes invested in the outcome. There were times I wanted to yell at her (only a few) but mostly I loved living her life through her story. I loved Gogu too and was seriously concerned for his continued well being at many times.
Despite being a fairytale retelling the book was not a simple one. Happily Ever After is not attained easily and is not absolute. Forces for good and forces of evil are both present in the story and while the distinction between light and dark is made there is some ambiguity and confusion for the characters to sort out, nothing is made easy. And that to me makes a good book any day.
I loved every aspect of this novel. The setting of the wildwood, lake and the castle of Piscul Dracului were brought to life in beautiful prose that were never weighed down with too much description. The plot was intricate but never hard to follow. I particularly enjoyed how the author melded the realms of the mortal and fey world. They are separate but also the same, completely interconnected and requiring balance. In the hands of a lesser author conveying the complexities of this world would have been disastrous but Juliet Marillier makes it seem simple and renders it beautiful at the same time.
The novel is told in first person by Jena, the second eldest of five sisters who cross over to the world of the fairies to dance every full moon. Jena is the sensible practical sister. She is unique in that she has a constant companion in a frog named Gogu. She can hear Gogu's thoughts and he is her closest friend and most wise adviser. Jena, at fifteen, is learning what it means to be a grown woman. The readers is able to share in this remarkable journey with her and becomes invested in the outcome. There were times I wanted to yell at her (only a few) but mostly I loved living her life through her story. I loved Gogu too and was seriously concerned for his continued well being at many times.
Despite being a fairytale retelling the book was not a simple one. Happily Ever After is not attained easily and is not absolute. Forces for good and forces of evil are both present in the story and while the distinction between light and dark is made there is some ambiguity and confusion for the characters to sort out, nothing is made easy. And that to me makes a good book any day.
Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers
5.0
Busman's Honeymoon picks up the story of Peter and Harriet on the day of their wedding. There are several amusing, and sometimes sweet, letters and journal entries at the beginning that fill in the details of the time that has elapsed from the end of Gaudy Night to the big day. Peter and Harriet leave for their honeymoon at a house they have purchased near where Harriet lived as a child. The first day there one catastrophe after another occurs, culminating with the discovery of the former owner dead in the cellar. So of course, Peter and Harriet have to spend their honeymoon working, hence the title.
The book is, of course, brilliant. Like Sayers other Lord Peter books it is not the mystery aspect of the novel that makes it wonderful but the keen insight into humanity, the philosophy and the tackling of weightier issues that pushes it into the brilliant category.
Gaudy Night allowed us to see Harriet come to terms with her demons and, with Peter's help, overcome them. In Busman's Honeymoon it is Peter facing his demons and he has Harriet to help him this time around. The book paints a startling picture of a mind haunted by the things it has witnessed, the war it survived and the struggle it constantly undergoes to balance responsibility, honor and a massive guilt complex. Unlike all of the times Peter simply ran away and into himself, this time there is another person to factor in to his decisions and actions. This and the tension that is created by the situation as Peter and Harriet (and Bunter too) adjust to the new reality and revelations marriage brings about is the center of the story. The mystery acts as a catalyst that brings all of this to a head.
Peter and Harriet are one of my favorite literary couples and I am grateful to Sayers for rendering such a beautiful and complex love story.
The book is, of course, brilliant. Like Sayers other Lord Peter books it is not the mystery aspect of the novel that makes it wonderful but the keen insight into humanity, the philosophy and the tackling of weightier issues that pushes it into the brilliant category.
Gaudy Night allowed us to see Harriet come to terms with her demons and, with Peter's help, overcome them. In Busman's Honeymoon it is Peter facing his demons and he has Harriet to help him this time around. The book paints a startling picture of a mind haunted by the things it has witnessed, the war it survived and the struggle it constantly undergoes to balance responsibility, honor and a massive guilt complex. Unlike all of the times Peter simply ran away and into himself, this time there is another person to factor in to his decisions and actions. This and the tension that is created by the situation as Peter and Harriet (and Bunter too) adjust to the new reality and revelations marriage brings about is the center of the story. The mystery acts as a catalyst that brings all of this to a head.
Peter and Harriet are one of my favorite literary couples and I am grateful to Sayers for rendering such a beautiful and complex love story.
Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl: Wide-Eyed Wonder in God's Spoken World by N.D. Wilson
5.0
This book is a work of art created by a poet who sees the world in amazing ways. Reading it was like experiencing a tilt-a-whirl. It was exhilarating, scary, delightful, overwhelming. I am still processing it. The subtitle of the book is Wide Eyed Wonder in God’s Spoken World. This is not merely lofty language it is what Mr. Wilson has expressed in every paragraph and it is what he makes the reader think, feel and experience. My words can’t do this book justice. Read it yourself.
The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson
5.0
I devoured this book in one 4 hour sitting this afternoon. It was brilliant. My heart rate is still up and the adrenaline is still flowing strong. Yes, it was THAT good.
The Chestnut King takes us with Henry York Macabee and his family and friends as they search for a means to bring down the witch queen, Nimiane, once and for all. There is a lot of action, peril, and adventure throughout the entire plot. The writing continues to be emotive. It is amazing how much Henry's character grew in the course of the three books and how believable the metamorphosis is. And without giving anything away I will say that I loved how it all wrapped up. There is closure but no over detailed wrap up of everybody's futures. A tantalizing glimpse and then the door is closed. An hour after finishing it I am still smiling.
I really hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book (whatever it be about) that Mr. Wilson writes.
And much thanks to my husband for wrangling the snowbound kids all afternoon so I could read this in one sitting!
The Chestnut King takes us with Henry York Macabee and his family and friends as they search for a means to bring down the witch queen, Nimiane, once and for all. There is a lot of action, peril, and adventure throughout the entire plot. The writing continues to be emotive. It is amazing how much Henry's character grew in the course of the three books and how believable the metamorphosis is. And without giving anything away I will say that I loved how it all wrapped up. There is closure but no over detailed wrap up of everybody's futures. A tantalizing glimpse and then the door is closed. An hour after finishing it I am still smiling.
I really hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book (whatever it be about) that Mr. Wilson writes.
And much thanks to my husband for wrangling the snowbound kids all afternoon so I could read this in one sitting!