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Lord Peter Views the Body
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April MICRO Buddy Read of Lord Peter Views the Body by Dorothy L. Sayers with Leslie and Adrian
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I am going to copy over my relevant posts from the Dorothy Sayers thread. Just a heads up so readers aren't too surprised by seeing something they have already seen elsewhere.Adrian - feel free to copy over your comments or not, as you wish.
Here is the contents of Lord Peter Views the Body to the best of my knowledge:The abominable history of the man with copper fingers
The entertaining episode of the article in question
The fascinating problem of Uncle Meleager's will
The fantastic horror of the cat in the bag
The unprincipled affair of the practical joker
The undignified melodrama of the bone of contention
The vindictive story of the footsteps that ran
The bibulous business of a matter of taste
The learned advenure of the dragon's head
The piscatorial farce of the stolen stomach
The unsolved puzzle of the man with no face
The adventurous exploit of the cave of Ali Baba.
I know that this book is available for borrowing from Open Library (a free digital library run by the Internet Archives, at http://openlibrary.org), if you want to read it online.
The second story - "The Entertaining Episode of the Article in Question" - gives a good glimpse into Lord Peter's past & his habit of mind which led him into detecting. I completely missed the clue to the mystery (view spoiler)
I liked the crossword aspect of "The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager's Will" though I didn't have the patience to actually try to solve it myself. I am not good at English crossword puzzles which I find much more difficult than American ones.
4. "The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag"I didn't feel like there was much deduction in this story. It all hinged on the fact that (view spoiler) I enjoyed the story but it wasn't a puzzle that the reader could try to figure out.
5. "The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker"Another one which is "crime" rather than "mystery". Not one of my favorites...
Leslie wrote: "I am going to copy over my relevant posts from the Dorothy Sayers thread. Just a heads up so readers aren't too surprised by seeing something they have already seen elsewhere.Adrian - feel free t..."
Oh gosh, you are setting me a challenge 🙂
Ref your Message 4Leslie wrote: "The second story - "The Entertaining Episode of the Article in Question" - gives a good glimpse into Lord Peter's past & his habit of mind which led him into detecting. I completely missed the clue..."
And me, despite (view spoiler)
I am enjoying them so far. Maybe its the fact that I haven't read a Sayers book for many years.
Ref your Message 5Leslie wrote: "I liked the crossword aspect of "The Fascinating Problem of Uncle Meleager's Will" though I didn't have the patience to actually try to solve it myself. I am not good at English crossword puzzles w..."
I did get a few clues as I read through them, not many I do admit as I didn't actually try too hard, but when I got to the end of the story, there was a note saying the completed crossword is at the end of the book, and on my kindle IT WASN'T.
That said I did enjoy the story, I'd forgotten how much fun Lord Peter is !!
Ref Your Message 6 above - story 4Leslie wrote: "4. "The Fantastic Horror of the Cat in the Bag"
I didn't feel like there was much deduction in this story. It all hinged on the fact that [spoilers removed] I enjoyed the story but it wasn't a puzz..."
I quite enjoyed the story, but you're right (view spoiler)
I did enjoy the description of the bike chase and also of LP (I shall use your abbreviation if i may ha ha) arriving in his "sleek car:".
I have to say I can see myself reading more of the redoubtable LP over the coming months, depending on my self argument about reading "targets"
Leslie wrote: "5. "The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker"Another one which is "crime" rather than "mystery". Not one of my favorites..."
It was an ok story, but as you say wasn't a mystery really. Its good to know though that Lord Peter can also be (view spoiler)
Adrian wrote: "Leslie wrote: "5. "The Unprincipled Affair of the Practical Joker"Another one which is "crime" rather than "mystery". Not one of my favorites..."
It was an ok story, but as you say wasn't a myste..."
LOL! I wasn't sure what to make of that final scene - when (view spoiler)
That was my feeling as well. He always is a bit hard on himself and I think that scene shows that. He knew he did the right thing but he still felt that in the eyes of people whose opinion he valued he would be judged contemptible.
So number 6 - The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention.This was the longest story to date and maybe because of that it was my favourite. I must admit, I go the clue of the (view spoiler)
I also guessed that the (view spoiler).
All of that said it was a really enjoyable story and bring on the next !!
I agree that #6 was my favorite so far. I did guess about (view spoiler) though it is possible that my subconscious mind remembered that from my previous reading.I liked the little scene with Lord Peter & his old Army buddy -- not only did it give the reader a bit of background about Lord Peter but also a sense of the times.
Leslie wrote: "I agree that #6 was my favorite so far. I liked the little scene with Lord Peter & his old Army buddy -- not only did it give the reader a bit of background about Lord Peter but also a sense of the times. ..."
Yes it was good to get a sense of his past.
And now I have finished number 7 - The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps that Ran.Again I have to say I really enjoyed it, I especially liked Bunter's attitude when he is asked to join them eating. It demonstrates the class divide so wonderfully that existed at that time, that both Bunter and Lord Peter would never consider it.
I also like Lord Peter's thoughts on (view spoiler)
I thought #7 was the most detective/mystery of the lot so far (and so I really liked it). Regarding your spoiler - yes, that part was fascinating!Re: the class divide - that attitude (which as you correctly point out is as much or more on Bunter's part as on Lord Peter's) always makes me think about Bertie Wooster & Jeeves. Man and manservant are very close but within formal limits that neither would dream of broaching. This is a lifestyle that is familiar to me only from books (and other media) - I have never even known anyone who had a servant.
#8 "The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste"Lord Peter & DLS enter the world of espionage! Well, sort of... I wasn't sure at first who (view spoiler). And what fun that Lord Peter's palate was the method of determining the truth!
Leslie wrote: "#8 "The Bibulous Business of a Matter of Taste"Lord Peter & DLS enter the world of espionage! Well, sort of... I wasn't sure at first who [spoilers removed]. And what fun that Lord Peter's palate..."
Well I must admit I quite enjoyed it, and (view spoiler). Yes it was fun that his tremendous palate was the deciding factor.
#9 "The Learned Advenure of the Dragon's Head"Lord Peter is looking after his nephew in this story. Jerry is referred to as Gherkins (as in Picked Gherkins) - lol! There were a couple of great lines in this one:
"He succeeded, however, in earning tolerance on honorable terms by treating the young with the same scrupulous politeness which he extended to their elders." (describing how LP got along with children) is a perfect description of how Peter treats everyone. This is one of Wimsey's best traits in my opinion.
"It was at this point that Lord Peter was apotheosed from the state of Quite Decent Uncle to that of Glorified Uncle."
I had to look up apotheosize - elevate to, or as if to, the rank of a god; idolize. So funny as it occurs when (view spoiler)
A bit of mystery & deduction plus a healthy dollop of adventure.
#10 "The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach"What a bizarre plot this story has! There is in fact a stolen stomach - yuck! (view spoiler)
Leslie wrote: "#9 "The Learned Advenure of the Dragon's Head"Lord Peter is looking after his nephew in this story. Jerry is referred to as Gherkins (as in Picked Gherkins) - lol! There were a couple of great lin..."
Apologies, I have been reading and posting an update on my progress but have not had the opportunity to write here. so....
I did like the promotion to God like status on (view spoiler) and also the (view spoiler)
Leslie wrote: "#10 "The Piscatorial Farce of the Stolen Stomach"What a bizarre plot this story has! There is in fact a stolen stomach - yuck! [spoilers removed]"
Ha ha, yes this was a little bizarre, especially when (view spoiler) That said I had guessed that the stomach played a part.
I have now also read Story 11 - The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man With No Face". Again I really enjoyed it. I felt that at one point it was almost going to be over in a few pages when LP (view spoiler). That said it continues quite naturally and I did like the fact that LP (view spoiler)
Adrian wrote: "I have now also read Story 11 - The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man With No Face". Again I really enjoyed it. I felt that at one point it was almost going to be over in a few pages when LP ..."I liked the way LP deduced almost all the most important points on the train! But I am not so sure about (view spoiler) Sayers has written LP as being a bit squeamish about the results of his sleuthing which never quite sat right with me.
Leslie wrote: "Adrian wrote: "I have now also read Story 11 - The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man With No Face". Again I really enjoyed it. I felt that at one point it was almost going to be over in a few pages when L..."I suppose because the Italian was (view spoiler) although I wonder if he would have really done that .
And so I've finished the final story - The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba.An interesting story in which we hear of the sad demise of Lord Peter, and the rise of an invidious gang that controls all crime across London and its wider environs
Of course I had (view spoiler)
And so ends my first Lord Peter book in a while (I don't count the audiobook I listened to last year really) and enjoyable it was to.
A big thank you to Leslie for listening to my nonsensical ramblings and making polite responses to all my comments. I hope to join her again soon in some form of Buddy Read
Thanks Adrian! I enjoyed having your company as we worked our way through these stories.Re: Story #12 - I think that the English must have had a thing for (view spoiler) in the post-WW1 years. Several other of the Golden Age mystery writers have at least one story or novel based on that idea!
Here are my thoughts about the book as a whole:This collection of 12 short stories featuring Lord Peter Wimsey does a good job of showing the reader different facets of Wimsey's character and interests. Each story is a bit different - some showing his ability to make detailed observations, some his deductive powers and others involve more intuition or his knowledge of other subjects (particularly rare books & fine wines).
Leslie wrote: "Thanks Adrian! I enjoyed having your company as we worked our way through these stories.Re: Story #12 - I think that the English must have had a thing for [spoilers removed] in the post-WW1 years..."
Thank you Leslie
Like you I enjoyed the book, and felt that it showcased a large number of Lord Peter's talents. I am seriously looking forward to reading more.
It's hard to stop reading this series once you start ;) Feel free to join me in The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club in May if you want!
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Bionic Jean wrote: "Have you given any more thought to hosting a continuing buddy read of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels, Leslie?"I'll send you a PM.
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English Mysteries Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (other topics)Lord Peter Views the Body (other topics)
Lord Peter Views the Body (other topics)
All buddy reads in the "English Mysteries Club" are for at least 3 people, (to avoid difficulties if one person cannot continue) but since both members were keen to begin, this is a special category :)
Others are welcome to join in, and since these are short stories, maybe you could just pop in for the odd one. Happy reading all!