Quote:
Originally Posted by WT Sharpe
Just finished The House Without a Key by Earl Derr Biggers, the first Charlie Chan mystery (1925). His depiction of the Chinese detective is a far cry from the movie adaptations with which we're all familiar. I enjoyed the mystery, but could have done without the anti-Japanese slurs. I suppose that's one of the prices we pay when we read older novels. I won't judge Biggers too harshly; no telling which of my own current attitudes and opinions will appear appalling and short-sighted to future, more enlightened generations.
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i have just recently enjoyed the first 2 charlie chan mysteries and a 1914 short novel called 'the agony column by mr. biggers. i really like the geographic/cultural diversity of his novels so far. 'the house without a key' took place mostly in honolulu, 'the chinese parrot' in san francisco and in the california high desert, and 'the agony column' took place in london.