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[books 2012] the new PD James
Feb. 17th, 2012 04:42 pm9. Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James
I love PD James. She's one of my favourite detective story writers ever, managing to produce works that are both comforting and thought-provoking at the same time.
I really struggled with this one, though. Which I will own as my failing, not hers. The idea is that it's a sequel to Pride and Prejudice where somebody gets murdered. Darcy and Elizabeth live in his big house and have some perfect children (who are neither seen nor heard) and live in perfect rich people domestic bliss. One of the reviews on the cover describes it as "pitch perfect".
It is. Therein lies my problem. I persisted through the scene-setting parts (which was, thankfully, shorter than in many of James's books, some of which don't get to the murder till 1/3 through) despite the characters' preoccupations with duty, money and social standing which give me the stabby rage.
It got better during the actual detecting bits, but they didn't last long and gave way to the tedium of the inquest and trial, which hinged more on reputation than evidence.
It's incredibly well done, but completely not for me. I suspect this answers the question of whether I'd love or hate Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
I love PD James. She's one of my favourite detective story writers ever, managing to produce works that are both comforting and thought-provoking at the same time.
I really struggled with this one, though. Which I will own as my failing, not hers. The idea is that it's a sequel to Pride and Prejudice where somebody gets murdered. Darcy and Elizabeth live in his big house and have some perfect children (who are neither seen nor heard) and live in perfect rich people domestic bliss. One of the reviews on the cover describes it as "pitch perfect".
It is. Therein lies my problem. I persisted through the scene-setting parts (which was, thankfully, shorter than in many of James's books, some of which don't get to the murder till 1/3 through) despite the characters' preoccupations with duty, money and social standing which give me the stabby rage.
It got better during the actual detecting bits, but they didn't last long and gave way to the tedium of the inquest and trial, which hinged more on reputation than evidence.
It's incredibly well done, but completely not for me. I suspect this answers the question of whether I'd love or hate Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
