tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post2775064849266935700..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: FFB: Groaning Spinney - Gladys MitchellJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-88452548787671692672015-01-15T04:17:00.563-06:002015-01-15T04:17:00.563-06:00I enjoyed the show but saw it well before I'd ...I enjoyed the show but saw it well before I'd even heard of the books. Since then, not sure I've hit anything that I'd view as a classic. Usually each time I read one I'm put off for another year or so so it might be time to try another - I think I've got The Rising Of The Moon knocking around somewhere... Great review btwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-70021979625655001122015-01-11T22:51:49.647-06:002015-01-11T22:51:49.647-06:00Mitchell appears to be an acquired taste. Anyone w...Mitchell appears to be an acquired taste. Anyone who expects a straight forward mystery will almost certainly be disappointed. Sometimes she writes a parody and sometimes her work is surreal. She is very much an original which is great when it works but can be jarringly bad when it does not.<br />Like yourself I purchased five ebooks recently when they were available for two dollars each but I'm going to spread them out as I find reading too much of any author in close succession leads to disappointment and too much awareness of techniques used to achieve their effects. <br />But I generally enjoy a detective's allusions and quotations. Perhaps that's why I like Reggie Fortune so much.Ron Smythhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00575735524072816238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-49451783660452473612015-01-10T23:13:35.837-06:002015-01-10T23:13:35.837-06:00Don't get me started on that TV series, Wayne....Don't get me started on that TV series, Wayne. Awful! Most of the plots were completely rewritten and anyone who read the books was usually screaming at their TV in protest. I saw only THE RISING OF THE MOON (one of the best books) and hated what the TV show did to the book. Never bothered with any of the other episodes.<br /><br />Diana Rigg is a lovely woman and a fine actress I enjoy nearly everything she does. But shes so so wrong for Mrs. Bradley. They glammed her up and wrecked one of the most eccentric aspects that make Mrs. Bradley so unique and intriguing as a fictional detective. She's supposed to be as ugly as sin, a crone in fact, who wears ridiculously colored mismatched outfits. As I recall the only thing they retained were Mrs. Bradley's reptilian black eyes. Rigg wore colored contacts to achieve that effect. I think Miriam Margolyes would've been the best choice to play Beatrice Bradley. Much more suited in temperament and appearance and eccentricity, even if she's much too short.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-3821115091979929672015-01-10T22:41:43.265-06:002015-01-10T22:41:43.265-06:00I've only seen the TV series, and though I enj...I've only seen the TV series, and though I enjoyed them I was never tempted to chase down the books,<br /><br />It's probably time to reconsider.<br /><br />Wayne.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-69419742373166713622015-01-10T21:26:45.814-06:002015-01-10T21:26:45.814-06:00Thanks for the fine review, John. I too find a det...Thanks for the fine review, John. I too find a detective's allusions tiresome so don't think I am too keen on this.neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-1053514354486729502015-01-10T11:44:23.102-06:002015-01-10T11:44:23.102-06:00You're right, but still...You're right, but still...Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-63254253739666000572015-01-10T09:47:48.264-06:002015-01-10T09:47:48.264-06:00I haven't read nearly enough Mitchell -- I thi...I haven't read nearly enough Mitchell -- I think I read one or two in my late teens or early twenties, and that's about it. Many thanks for reminding me about her. I really should give her another try although, judging by your fine review of this one, <i>Groaning Spinney</i> may not be the novel I'll choose!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-49793429940703189372015-01-10T02:44:30.624-06:002015-01-10T02:44:30.624-06:00Hi John, another really interesting and entertaini...Hi John, another really interesting and entertaining review.<br />I read a couple of Mitchell titles a few years ago and was left with largely the same impression as you. From what I remember of Merlin's Furlong it had a really erratic and eccentric plot that in some way reminded me of Carr the difference between the two for me is that whilst Carr manages to pull all of the strands together (usually in the most wonderful way) Mitchell,at least here, didn't. Very disappointing. However I thought The Rising of the Moon was excellent. Maybe as you say it is a case of choosing the right ones!CShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17043405681721960565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-17472093018540491872015-01-09T23:51:05.788-06:002015-01-09T23:51:05.788-06:00Interesting review. I have only read one Gladys Mi...Interesting review. I have only read one Gladys Mitchell, and I am not sure what to read next, as her work is so variable. TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-70568283130472480342015-01-09T14:26:58.623-06:002015-01-09T14:26:58.623-06:00I think the reason you get grisly animal deaths in...I think the reason you get grisly animal deaths in mystery novels is so the author can underscore the cruelty and ruthlessness of the villain. And in this case the villains are thoroughly despicable people.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-80687377816265794252015-01-09T13:16:46.073-06:002015-01-09T13:16:46.073-06:00I've read a couple of her books, though I can&...I've read a couple of her books, though I can't even recall a title, but don't recall being thrilled, enthralled or even muttering "oh, boy!". So I think this one is a must miss, and then there is the dog death thing which for me is only okay if needful due to rabid dog or insane dog or the like. Other wise, can't the author come up with something better?Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.com