Saturday, June 17, 2017

Taking Detective Stories Seriously - The collected crime reviews of Dorothy L. Sayers

Its been another week of horrific images in the news, the sort that make it difficult to concentrate on anything else, so I've mainly been knitting (obviously the perfect occupation for the hottest weather of the year so far) and getting into pointless arguments about politics (it's like picking a scab). 

Today however I'm back on the books and freshly enthused after the British Library's 'Bodies From The Library' classic crime conference- which was brilliant, if they run it again next year it's absolutely worth going to. I'll write more about it soon but am so very pleased with this particular book purchase I couldn't wait to share.

'Taking Detective Stories Seriously' is a collection of the crime reviews that Dorothy L. Sayers wrote for the Sunday Times between 1933 and 1935 (there's a scant handful of later ones too). I have yet to read the introduction and commentary by Martin Edwards (surely the busiest man in crime fiction?) but am very much looking forward to it. What I did do was spend the train journey home reading what Sayers had to say about all the books I'd read. 

She must have worked every bit as hard as Martin Edwards does because along with writing her own books she was reviewing 3 or 4 crime novels a week which means we have a fairly comprehensive overview here of crime fiction over those years. 

I loved Sayers when I was in my teens and susceptible to the romantic allure of Lord Peter, rather less   when I realised how susceptible Sayers was to the same allure (there's something uncomfortable about reading that, as if she's inadvertently exposing something that should be private). And then there was 'Ask a Policeman' that was great fun, but has since made it quite hard to take any of the featured detectives at face value again. 

Anyway, what I'm getting round to saying is that the Dorothy of these reviews is a delight. She's funny, honest in her criticisms, generous with praise, and altogether com s across as a woman you would love to sit down and talk about books with. 

Crucially we're in perfect accord regarding Georgette Heyer (unremarkable plots, but with enough charm for it not to matter) which is my personal litmus test, and from there I found I broadly agreed with her view on most of the books I'd read. I liked Alan Melville's 'Quick Curtain' (a British Library Crime Classic) rather more than she did, but then he's not sending up my chosen work. 

It will mostly be a book for dipping in and out of, but it made me laugh out loud several times in the train, which probably annoyed the man trying to sleep next to me, but made a very hot journey altogether more enjoyable than expected. I had absolutely no idea that Dorothy (the books made me think of her as Dorothy, rather than Sayers) could be so much fun, or funny. For anyone with even a passing interest in either Sayers, or Golden age crime fiction, this book should be a must buy. I am beyond delighted with it. 

9 comments:

  1. I am so envious that you went to the classic crime conference. It is such a pity that an ocean kept me away. However, now I can buy this book and delude myself into thinking I am getting the genuine experience. It does sound so entertaining and Georgette Heyer is my litmus test as well so that convinces me I will enjoy it.

    I must admit, I am still susceptible to the romantic allure of Lord Peter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really entertaining, and such a good overview of what came out over those few years. It was selling like hot cakes yesterday. It's a lovely conference too, this is the second year I've been, and I think it was even better this time. Very friendly, well organised, and the speakers seem to be having fun too which is nice. I've come away with a very long wish list.

      As for Lord Peter, if men who I will always picture as a young Edward Petherbridge, and are rich, funny, intelligent, capable of saving you from wrongful verdicts, or crazy murderesses (whilst simultaneously helping maintain peace in Europe) rock a natty line in silk pyjamas, have a love of books, an impeccable grasp of grammar, an excellent wine cellar, in great physical shape, splendid bedroom testimonials, who find you very desirable, whilst having the upmarket st respect for your own intelligence and ambitions are your thing - well, who am I to argue.

      It's the bedroom bit where it all gets a bit icky for me. I tried the experiment of just reading the live story bits from Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon a few years ago - with the detective bits stripped out it's very Mills and Boon (harlequin romance?). Because Lord Peter is Sayers creation I find her crush on him a little uncomfortable. I still love the books though. And meeting her in this mood is a revelation.

      Delete
  2. Oh, I must have a copy of this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like the Dowager Duchess, must really say damn. This isn't available over here, the overseas copies are outside my price range, and it's too recent to get through interlibrary loan.

      Delete
    2. I hope that gets fixed soon. I must admit I hadn't heard of it before yesterday. It's a very obscure publisher (based in Perth, Scotland, they seem to specialise mostly in local books). Maybe this is more niche than I think but I could see this being a decent seller - it certainly was yesterday, so maybe it'll become more widely available in time.

      Delete
  3. Yes, so many sad events in the news lately. I want to read this. Loved Gaudy Night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's excellent, I was up past midnight with it. It was also good to be in London and see that it was just London still. Here's hoping for a week of better news.

      Delete
  4. Also very jealous of you going to the conference yesterday! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the post on this book. Trying to track down a copy as I type...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a thoroughly good day, I'm no expert on the genre though I do really enjoy it, but although I was aware that a lot of the audience were far more knowledgeable than I'm ever likely to be, I didn't feel out of my depth, just ended up with a long list of things to investigate...

      Delete