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My Favorite Spy
Aug. 19th, 2008 12:04 pmWell I finished another Sayer's mystery last night, 'The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club.' I didn't like it quite as much as I've liked some of her others, which I think had mostly to do with the characters. I think Sayer's characters are one of the best things about her writing, and even here they're really, really well rounded. But instead of being sympathetic, they're like those friends that everyone has that you have to make apologies for. You know, like, 'I know Sue is being a bitch but she's just been through a bad divorce and her mother has cancer. She's really very nice, really." But I really did like the character of Ann Dorland, especially her take on wine. It's always a relief to have characters that share your name that you can approve of.
I considered launching into the next Sayers book I have out from the library, but instead decided to read a Mrs. Pollifax book by Dorothy Gilman I got when I was visiting parents, 'A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax.' I wish I'd written these books, they're so hilarious and awesome. If you see one in a used bookstore or library, be sure to pick one up. (I say used because they're short little books and it hurts to pay $6.50 for only 200 pages)
Mrs. Pollifax, for the uninitiated, is a little old lady who was feeling a bit low...her husband was gone, her children were grown and the world felt gray and meaningless. Her doctor told her to try and fulfill a dream she'd always had, and Mrs. Pollifax went right out and joined the CIA. Which means you get great exchanges like:
"All right," she agreed, "but what equally concerns me if I'm leaving so soon is what I tell people when I announce I shall be away, People like my son in Chicago, my daughter in Arizona. The Garden Club. My neighbor Miss Hartshorne, the art association..."
"Go on," said Carstairs looking fascinated.
"...the Hospital Auxiliary, the Save-Our-Environment Committee, and" she paused to frown at the expression on his face, " my karate instructor."
"I waited for the last with baited breath," Carstairs said, "It still carries impact."
"My karate strikes do, too," she told him modestly.
I considered launching into the next Sayers book I have out from the library, but instead decided to read a Mrs. Pollifax book by Dorothy Gilman I got when I was visiting parents, 'A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax.' I wish I'd written these books, they're so hilarious and awesome. If you see one in a used bookstore or library, be sure to pick one up. (I say used because they're short little books and it hurts to pay $6.50 for only 200 pages)
Mrs. Pollifax, for the uninitiated, is a little old lady who was feeling a bit low...her husband was gone, her children were grown and the world felt gray and meaningless. Her doctor told her to try and fulfill a dream she'd always had, and Mrs. Pollifax went right out and joined the CIA. Which means you get great exchanges like:
"All right," she agreed, "but what equally concerns me if I'm leaving so soon is what I tell people when I announce I shall be away, People like my son in Chicago, my daughter in Arizona. The Garden Club. My neighbor Miss Hartshorne, the art association..."
"Go on," said Carstairs looking fascinated.
"...the Hospital Auxiliary, the Save-Our-Environment Committee, and" she paused to frown at the expression on his face, " my karate instructor."
"I waited for the last with baited breath," Carstairs said, "It still carries impact."
"My karate strikes do, too," she told him modestly.
