Book Review: Lord Peter Views the Body (Lord Peter Wimsey #4) by Dorothy L. Sayers
Two Stars.
“Built noticin’–improved with practice.”
This anthology of early Wimsey shorts reminds me why I hate anthologies. Authors (or, more likely, publishers) sweep up all the bits and pieces of a successful author or authors and foist it on the public as great literature. The resulting collection is often–as in this case–mediocre at best.
“Nobody minds coarseness, but one must draw the line at cruelty.”
Especially avoid the novelette: “The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention.” Dreadful. “The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager’s Will” will enthrall crossword puzzle enthusiasts, without leaving the rest of us clueless.
“Bunter likes me to know my place.”
Sayers wrote for different readers. She assumes a level of French and Latin literacy rare among Americans today. Wonder how contemporary (1920s) English did.
“It is … dangerous to have a theory.”
As a Matter of Fancy 