mrv3000 | (no subject)

I really thought Kenley would go last night. Although, I have sort of had it in the back of my mind that they might try to amp up the drama with someone who actually makes it through to the end. Like with Christian last season. Not saying that Kenley would win, but it wouldn't suprise me if she makes it past next week. Reality shows love to have people on that the audience loves to hate.

Once they get there, I'm not sure who would win. For the final everything changes since a killer outfit(s) is much more likely when they have more than 24 hours.

But break out the Kleenex for next week. Looks like everyone winds up sobbing.
I have to babble about these Dorothy L. Sayers books for a minute.

The first two books with both Peter and Harriet (Strong Poison and Have His Carcase) were pretty good reads, but the third one was a whole lot of YAY: Gaudy Night. The strange thing about it is that the BBC adaptations were very faithful for Strong Poison and Have His Carcase, but there was lots and lots and lots switched around or missing for Gaudy Night. The book is way better. A few things that have made me crack up in Gaudy Night and Busman's Honeymoon (the 4th book they're both in):
- Peter has been asking Harriet to marry him for the last five years, which spans three books. The moments range from silly to sweet to touching. But what made me laugh is that the proposal that finally sticks (and the acceptance) is in Latin. MWAH! They're such goobers.
- Peter decides to give Harriet self-defense lessons, which involves a dog collar and wrestling in a field for an hour or two. They break out the cigarettes after. *falls over*
- The wedding was GREAT. The best part is that it's told through other people's letters which is hysterical, especially since Peter's sister-in-law is...how should I put this? A bitch. :D
- Another great thing is Peter's mother's diary entries around the time of the wedding. Sweet and funny and I LOVE Peter's mother.
- So far Busman's Honeymoon is reading like a farce, which I'm really enjoying. I know there's a murder on the horizon, but the first part of the book is totally fun.

I think I need to seriously read this series, what with your parody and these comments...it sounds rather brilliant.

I have to warn you that the books really do read like the parody I wrote. And the author loves to go into every last little detail, so they're probably twice as long compared to if they were written today. Which isn't necessarily bad, just a very different style.

Well, I really did thoroughly enjoy your parody, so I shouldn't have too much of a problem.
Thanks for the warning, though.

Gaudy Night is one of the sexiest books I've ever read, and I love all the relationship insights in BH. The mystery is just okay in the latter, but there's certainly lots of funny.

There is at least one short story that features Peter, Harriet, and their children! SQUEE!

To sum up -- YAY!

Gaudy Night is one of the sexiest books I've ever read, and I love all the relationship insights in BH. The mystery is just okay in the latter, but there's certainly lots of funny.

I love how in-depth Gaudy Night got into the characters. Like Harriet being freaked out about the thought of marrying anyone because she doesn't want to get hurt again and doesn't want to lose her individual identity. And how we finally get more to the bottom of Peter and just how much he opens up to Harriet, almost without her realizing it (which sounds weird to type.) And just how much they want exactly the same thing, but don't quite believe that the other person could want that.

I've only read Busman's Honeymoon up through the first morning, so there's only been vague hints about the mystery yet. But Harriet and Peter as a married couple is FAB. Plus Peter's sort of turned into Tigger or a schoolboy, and keeps happily mentioning that they are actually married.

"All my life I have waited to hear those exquisite words, Peter darling, the sweep's come. We are married, by God! ... Only a wife would treat me with the disrespect I deserve and summon me to look upon the [sweep]!"

He's just so giddy about being married to her. :D

There is at least one short story that features Peter, Harriet, and their children! SQUEE!

I MUST HAVE THIS.

Edited 2008-09-25 21:42 (UTC)

This is so lame, but reading your post inspired me to go back and read my own post from the most recent re-reading of Gaudy Night. I'll link to it here in case you see anything interesting to discuss.

And just in case you haven't already seen it, I'll link you to this snippet about the filming of GN, written by Edward Petherbridge, which was recently pointed out at

talboys.

I've only read Busman's Honeymoon up through the first morning, so there's only been vague hints about the mystery yet.

Ooop! Well, I haven't really spoiled anything. Guess I really just wanted to bask in the glow of Peter and Harriet, and the mystery kept getting in the way! Silly of me, really.

This is so lame, but reading your post inspired me to go back and read my own post from the most recent re-reading of Gaudy Night. I'll link to it here in case you see anything interesting to discuss.

I'll have to check it out!

And just in case you haven't already seen it, I'll link you to this snippet about the filming of GN, written by Edward Petherbridge, which was recently pointed out at talboys.

Okay, I think I may love the man. I just skimmed, but it seemed like he had the same problems with it that I'm now seeing. I saw the adaptation before I read the book, so was clueless. But after reading it, it really was a bit of a slash-and-burn. It really lost a lot, especially why Harriet refused to marry Peter for so long. It also does miss the mark when it comes to this woman's internal struggle with career and love and identity and so on.

One thing that sticks out in my mind is that in the adaptation, Peter makes a sort of snide remark about a woman's college, but then covers it by saying he would have said the same thing about other institutions. I don't think that comment was in the book, and it sort of does something to his character that I don't think Sayers ever intended.

Ooop! Well, I haven't really spoiled anything. Guess I really just wanted to bask in the glow of Peter and Harriet, and the mystery kept getting in the way! Silly of me, really.

I should have mentioned that I have listened to the BBC audio play of Busman's Holiday, so you can spoil away. Although again the book is better - like their first morning together Harriet asking (in French, of course) if he remembered her name (along the lines of a one-night stand). Little stuff like that is just happy-making.

I don't think that comment was in the book, and it sort of does something to his character that I don't think Sayers ever intended.

I believe that was in the book, although the context may have been different.

Gaudy Night is simply one of my favorite books of all time, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

I believe that was in the book, although the context may have been different.

That could be. I think I remember Harriet thinking about it, but for the life of me I can't remember Peter saying or thinking it.

Gaudy Night is simply one of my favorite books of all time, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

It really was great. I can see myself reading that book repeatedly.