MobileRead January 2018 Discussion • Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers - Page 6

June · 01-26-2018, 02:34 PM

I'm a bit late to the discussion, sorry!

I have to say I really struggled with reading this book - there seems to be so many unnecessary explanations/asides (more "telling" than "showing" writing). But listening to the Audible version on my commutes was more tolerable, so I made it to the end

I liked the bones of the story, but then I am a fan of traditional English mystery. But this book just had too much "clutter" and explanations. The ending was a bit Christie-like with lots of info, but way too long and convoluted. Or something. I just couldn't get in to this story or connect to the characters. I got impatient reading, and actually speed read some sections.

I am intrigued by how the relationship between Peter and Bunter might evolve in future books.

gmw · 01-27-2018, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by June

[...]
I am intrigued by how the relationship between Peter and Bunter might evolve in future books.

I came away with similar results. I didn't like this book very much but I felt as if the characters, and the writing, have enough potential that it may be worth pursuing later books in the hope that the storytelling improves.

CRussel · 01-27-2018, 01:18 AM

Well, as the original nominator, I would never have started with this one, except that we got so much tsuris about books having to be the first in the series that I let my common sense be overridden. Normally, I would have started with the second in the series, Clouds of Witness being of the opinion that anything missed in the first one wouldn't be critical. But even that is by far not my favourite, though it's certainly a better book.

JSWolf · 01-27-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Well, as the original nominator, I would never have started with this one, except that we got so much tsuris about books having to be the first in the series that I let my common sense be overridden. Normally, I would have started with the second in the series, Clouds of Witness being of the opinion that anything missed in the first one wouldn't be critical. But even that is by far not my favourite, though it's certainly a better book.

If the first book in a series is not good enough to start with then I suggest we forget that series and pick something else.

issybird · 01-27-2018, 10:57 AM

Enough with the wrangling about series.

Fbone · 03-08-2018, 11:52 PM

I just finished this and thought her later work was better. I couldn't decide if she was being especially clever or inexperienced.

I thought the idea of carrying a large man across the roof and through a window unseen as being beyond belief. And all the grooming without leaving a lot of residue.

I did enjoy the Dowager character. The scene where Freke attempts to inject poison into Wimsey was very dramatic and tense.

However, I don't care for the confession letter reveal.

Bookpossum · 03-09-2018, 02:37 AM

I think we would agree with you on all points, Fbone.

WT Sharpe · 03-09-2018, 12:27 PM

. . . with the exception of not being seen while carrying a large man across the roof. It's amazing how little people look up.

Fbone · 03-09-2018, 01:34 PM

I can't remember the time of day he did the carrying. However, if London is like NYC rooftops are a popular place to smoke, hang laundry, garden, relax, etc. From one roof you can often see the whole block.

CRussel · 03-09-2018, 01:49 PM

Late night, or actually early morning, if I remember correctly. And keep in mind that one didn't need to go on the roof to smoke back then.

Fbone · 03-09-2018, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRussel

Late night, or actually early morning, if I remember correctly. And keep in mind that one didn't need to go on the roof to smoke back then.

Thanks. So he did all that in near darkness.

gmw · 03-09-2018, 06:52 PM

I didn't think to ask if it might have been Christmas eve. A man on the roof carrying what might, in the dim light, have looked like a large sack, accompanied by the jangling of carabiners (as a man with mountaineering experience he will of course have been using lots of rope and carabiners) would all have had ready explanation. Though I'm not sure how to explain the banging as he installed the pitons necessary to lower himself and the body over the edge and into the window - and that strikes me as a very tricky operation even for a doctor with mountaineering experience.

Bookpossum · 03-09-2018, 09:04 PM

Let's be brutally frank - it was all pretty far-fetched, even for a mountaineer!

June · 03-10-2018, 03:12 AM

perfect for Xmas eve

pdurrant · 03-11-2018, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

I can't remember the time of day he did the carrying. However, if London is like NYC rooftops are a popular place to smoke, hang laundry, garden, relax, etc. From one roof you can often see the whole block.

Most unlike. It would be surprising to meet anyone on the rooftops.

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01-26-2018, 02:34 PM	#76
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	I'm a bit late to the discussion, sorry! I have to say I really struggled with reading this book - there seems to be so many unnecessary explanations/asides (more "telling" than "showing" writing). But listening to the Audible version on my commutes was more tolerable, so I made it to the end I liked the bones of the story, but then I am a fan of traditional English mystery. But this book just had too much "clutter" and explanations. The ending was a bit Christie-like with lots of info, but way too long and convoluted. Or something. I just couldn't get in to this story or connect to the characters. I got impatient reading, and actually speed read some sections. I am intrigued by how the relationship between Peter and Bunter might evolve in future books.

01-27-2018, 01:18 AM	#78
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,160 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Well, as the original nominator, I would never have started with this one, except that we got so much tsuris about books having to be the first in the series that I let my common sense be overridden. Normally, I would have started with the second in the series, Clouds of Witness being of the opinion that anything missed in the first one wouldn't be critical. But even that is by far not my favourite, though it's certainly a better book.

01-27-2018, 10:57 AM	#80
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,229 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	Enough with the wrangling about series.

03-08-2018, 11:52 PM	#81
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,189 Karma: 100500000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	I just finished this and thought her later work was better. I couldn't decide if she was being especially clever or inexperienced. I thought the idea of carrying a large man across the roof and through a window unseen as being beyond belief. And all the grooming without leaving a lot of residue. I did enjoy the Dowager character. The scene where Freke attempts to inject poison into Wimsey was very dramatic and tense. However, I don't care for the confession letter reveal.

03-09-2018, 02:37 AM	#82
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	I think we would agree with you on all points, Fbone.

03-09-2018, 12:27 PM	#83
WT Sharpe Bah, humbug! Posts: 39,073 Karma: 157049943 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chesapeake, VA, USA Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Pro, & a Samsung Galaxy S9.	. . . with the exception of not being seen while carrying a large man across the roof. It's amazing how little people look up.

03-09-2018, 01:34 PM	#84
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,189 Karma: 100500000 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	I can't remember the time of day he did the carrying. However, if London is like NYC rooftops are a popular place to smoke, hang laundry, garden, relax, etc. From one roof you can often see the whole block.

03-09-2018, 01:49 PM	#85
CRussel (he/him/his) Posts: 12,160 Karma: 79742714 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Device: Oasis (Gen3),Paperwhite (Gen10), Voyage, Paperwhite(orig), Fire HD 8	Late night, or actually early morning, if I remember correctly. And keep in mind that one didn't need to go on the roof to smoke back then.

03-09-2018, 06:52 PM	#87
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	I didn't think to ask if it might have been Christmas eve. A man on the roof carrying what might, in the dim light, have looked like a large sack, accompanied by the jangling of carabiners (as a man with mountaineering experience he will of course have been using lots of rope and carabiners) would all have had ready explanation. Though I'm not sure how to explain the banging as he installed the pitons necessary to lower himself and the body over the edge and into the window - and that strikes me as a very tricky operation even for a doctor with mountaineering experience.

03-09-2018, 09:04 PM	#88
Bookpossum Snoozing in the sun Posts: 10,137 Karma: 115423645 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: iPad Mini, Kobo Touch	Let's be brutally frank - it was all pretty far-fetched, even for a mountaineer!

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03-10-2018, 03:12 AM	#89
June Addict Posts: 306 Karma: 4508151 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Scandinavia Device: Kobo Libra, Oasis 1&2 and others	perfect for Xmas eve