| 24 Apr 09, 12:41 PM stormywaters PT, 4 yrs |
Nuthatch, I found what you wrote very interesting. It gave me a whole new handle on the book, that feeling of yes of course that fits perfectly. It is not just that the men are weak (where incidentally is Trimingham's anger about his disfigurement? He is like some fatalistic Taliban fighter, emotionally incomplete) but also that the women are so strong. Although interestingly Mrs Maudsley's husband always comes up with a quiet authority in the end. It is almost BDSMy (wishful thinking?) the way he seems to say 'ok my dear that is enough of your Dommey fun and games, you know who is really in charge around here'. And that is very much supported by the fact that he is a very successful city financier. It is his ability and success that underpins all their lives financially. And he could I guess let his daughter have Ted, her man of choice, if he chose to. A century later it is almost unthinkable that he wouldn't have done so. So it is of course all firmly anchored to those very different times. To advertise here phone 02477 562966 Edited 24 Apr 09, 12:42 PM by stormywaters | |||
| 25 Apr 09, 1:29 PM nuthatch UK(SS), 5 yrs  |
Yes you're absolutely right- I think I was a little unfair on Mr Maudsley. Despite his age, he is the only player in the cricket match to succeed with the bat with his half century not out. One of my favourite moments was when he was at the crease with Denys who was refusing to run because he was worried about Mr Maudsley's health. 'At last, when the signal was again raised against him, Mr Maudsley called out, 'Come on!' It was like the crack of the whip; all the authority that Mr Maudsley so carefully concealed in his daily life spoke in those two words.' Edited 25 Apr 09, 1:30 PM by nuthatch | |||
| 26 Apr 09, 12:22 AM mq1965 UK(DA), 8 yrs |
It's too long since I read the book to make it worth me reading the whole thread, but I couldn't let this pass. Another great author had a much better grasp of the relative importance of things. (A quote JennyM should have particular reason to remember.)
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| 10 May 09, 1:07 AM misfit UK, 3 yrs  |
My preference is for Our Man in Havana as just so absurdly believable. I have an idea for your group. The House on the Strand by Ms D du M. A very underread book probably due to the success of Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel (was she?/wasn't she?). Furthermore I see lots of comments about detective fiction but imo there is none better than Auguste Dupin, the original and led the way for Sgt Cuff and Insp Bucket. Re Wilkie I actually like No Name as it is a good story and gives one a sense of the social injustice of the time. M
Space travels in my blood. And there ain't nothing I can do about it. |
