Mystery
Emily Dickinson is Dead - Jane Langton - American author (Published in 1984)About a couple murders that take place in connection with an Emily Dickinson symposium, with Langton's usual detective: Homer, a Thoreau scholar and ex-cop.
There are tons of drawbacks to this book. It's full of unrealistic coincidences; and the baddie is a very fat woman whom Langton describes in a sort of sweaty-gross-detail-misery-secreted-away-in-folds-of-her-fat way. It's offensive to read, and very dated.
And yet it's so good! Because while her plots aren't always real, her characters are. In this case, the book is peopled with scholars--sincere ones, greedy ones, scheming ones, desperate ones, kind ones, etc. I was totally drawn into their little dramas and worries. Plus Langton always works in a theme--in this case the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.
Special Relationship: Langton's books are filled with 'em! Homer always pairs up with someone who needs a little help--in this case a lonely widower. And the lonely widower has a wee romance with a jilted woman. Then there's also the older woman who helps care for a troublesome toddler.
Further Reading: My two favourite Langtons are The Memorial Hall Murder, which made me want to visit Harvard. And Dead as a Dodo, which made me want to visit Oxford, England. All her books make me want to travel.
OTHER COVERS
I prefer the one above, cause it shows Dickinson's dress which is key to the story.
The Thin Man - Dashiell Hammett - American author (Published in 1934)A 1930s noir with a traditional cast of guilty characters and good mystery. But the reason to read it is for ex-detective Nick Charles and his rich socialite wife, Nora. Nick's no longer interested in crime-solving, but Nora's eager to watch him in action, and loves meeting all the thugs, floozies, and weirdos who drag him into the mystery. "I love you Nicky, because you smell nice and you know such lovely people." Nick and Nora booze their way around New York with their little dog Asta, exchanging kisses and barbed witticisms. If you haven't seen the movie, it's a must! Played to perfection by Myrna Loy and William Powell.
Dorothy patted the dog's head and left us. We found a table. Nora said: "She's pretty."
"If you like them like that."
She grinned at me. "You got types?"
"Only you, darling--lanky brunettes with wicked jaws."
"And how about the red-head you wandered off with at the Quinns' last night?"
"That's silly," I said. "She just wanted to show me some French etchings.
OTHER COVERS
This is a terrible cover! The only redhead I remember from the book wielded a frying pan.
1 comment:
My fave lines are when Nora joins Nick at a bar where he has been drinking:
Nora: Say, how many drinks have you had?
Nick: This will make six martinis.
Nora (to waiter): All right. Will you bring me five more martinis, Leo? And line them right up here.
I'm in hysterics every time as she quickly downs them one after another until there's just one left in front of her and he has his in front of him. She looks positively smug at catching up and, boy, can she hold her liquor!
Mom
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