Gosh--I'm halfway through Avalon, having started it on Sunday. I've noted that many readers have said it's not their favorite by Anya Seton, and I concur with that. I think in large part it's the broad scope of the book, covering many years, which seems to have led Seton to forego lots of scenes and dialogue and replace them with straight narrative, which is nowhere near as compelling. But! That said, I am fascinated by the history and the story of a particular era in English history (the mid-late 900s) that I don't know well.
I must express my thanks to Cleo for a marvelous review of Agatha Christie's The Man in the Brown Suit (1924). This is not a Hercule Poirot novel, and is Christie's 5th published novel. I refer you now to Cleo of Cleo's Classical Carousel review. I have started to gobble it up. I am not a Christie fan, primarily because I'm not fond of the character of Hercule Poirot. But this one is so compelling with its young female lead. I have already referred several friends to it and we're all hooked.
More news of literary doings at my house in the North Country this weekend coming up! A viewing of The Godfather #1--We have not seen it for eons, and it's time. Mother's Day Weekend--a total damper on music and art doings in the area. (Bleh!) It's as bad a weekend as Easter as far as events are concerned.
But this weekend is the best of times for birding! International Migratory Bird Day is Saturday, May 11th. Do get out with a pair of binocs! Or just get out, rain or shine.
A Snowball Fest
2 hours ago
Not a Christie fan? Hmm. I loved Poirot when I was younger and didn’t like Miss Marple at all. Then a couple years ago I read a Miss Marpke and adored her. I felt so lucky to have all her books to listen to.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Sherlock Holmes? I never liked those books as Christie. Maybe it’s an either or situation.
I've always liked an occasional Sherlock Holmes story and have read all four (three?) of the longer works. I ought to try a Miss Marple again--Do you have one you like especially?
DeleteThey are all good; taken as a whole even better. I notice I did rate A Murder is Announced the highest on librarything. I also loved the short story collection that I read after all the novels.
Delete900s Great Britain does seem like a very obscure time. I would like to know more about that era myself. What an interesting period to set a novel in.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder about Saturday. I will try and get out at least for a little while. Have fun!
It is interesting, though I'd like to know more. Rule by cutthroat and poison. Christian clergy still trying to keep a foothold and gain control of the country's rulers, but having trouble. Lots of married priests, incelibate monks and priests, etc.
DeleteBrian, I hope you see some birds!
Enjoy your screening of The Godfather! Did you ever read it as well? I did a long time ago and I think I prefer the film in this case.
ReplyDeleteRuthiella,
DeleteI never read The Godfather, and I don't recall seeing the Godfather, although I vividly recall seeing The Godfather Part II. I may have seen The Godfather at a later date on television, but wouldn't you think I would remember it? So maybe I've never seen it. Looking forward, though.
Thanks for the shout-out, Judith! I think it's the first time I've had my name in a title post! :-D
ReplyDeleteHopefully The Man in the Brown Suit took you away and buoyed your spirits a little! I'm reading The Secret of Chimneys right now and it's different again. No Poirot and no Marple but a very unique story. If you get to it, I'd be interested to hear what you think of it.
Are you a bird watcher? I have a friend who is an avid one. She can tell you almost every local species. I've learned from her to appreciate birds. I will keep my eyes open!
Hi Cleo,
DeleteIt did cheer me up--especially the humor! When I hit page 50, I realized I had to finish Avalon (a long one), so as of tonight I'm free to plunge into The Brown Suit again. Can't wait to snuggle in with it, because it's going to SNOW tonight at our elevation. We're expecting at least 3 inches by morning. Then it will all be rain for the rest of the morning so will all wash away.
In spite of that, I've lit a candle and will enjoy the HEAT that we are paying for in MAY--ugh. It has been a very slow, late spring here.
And yes! I love to watch and photograph birds, but our migration here has been very, very quiet this year. I used to be a birding guide for Hamilton County here. I am what my friends call a nature nut because I love studying trees, wildflowers, and other plants, including mosses and liverworts. I hate it if I'm too busy to do this nature stuff.
I am glad you are enjoying The Man in the Brown Suit by Christie. I like it especially for the role of Colonel Race but also because it is a very well told mystery and has a memorable female protagonist.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a birdwatcher on a small scale and a bird enthusiast. For many years he would go on to Boy Scout camps and teach a class on birds / bird identification.
I would like to read The Godfather (and then maybe the sequels) but I never run into a copy anywhere. I liked all the movies.
Hi Tracy,
DeleteI am enjoying The Man in the Brown Suit and friends are reading it, too. I am enjoying the female lead and the humor!! I really need that in this very cold, dark spring we're having. I will keep my eye out for Colonel Race (haven't met him yet).
How interesting that your father was a birdwatcher! Going out in nature and searching for birds to photograph, or to just watch, is SO relaxing.
We are only halfway through The Godfather, but have enjoyed what we've seen thus far.
I love The Man in the Brown Suit! Orphaned, intrepid heroine! Danger from all sides! Humor (not forced)! I might have to go grab my copy on the way to work.
ReplyDeleteI have Avalon on my TBR for this year. I literally put it on my coffee table so I would get to it. We shall see.
My local friends have picked it up and they're getting ahead of me, but we're all loving it. Impossible not to love such a heroine!
DeleteI felt at times that I was slogging through Avalon, and then it would pick up, and then I would slog, and then pick up. If it hadn't been a Seton novel, I might have stopped reading, but I'm glad I finished it.
Happy reading!