samlima

After reading "Miss Pym Disposes", this was a bit of a disappointment, but understandably so, since this is her first book. I'm already seeing a pattern of 'appearances are not all they seem' and 'I'll bet you didn't see that coming' in her books, and I can see where I'll enjoy reading further. One thing I especially enjoy is Ms. Tey's use of language. I'm delighted by her descriptions of places and of people, her gentle wit and building up to a theory. In this book, she did many things right, and I think that she might have read a few of Agatha Christie's books, although there were only 5 or 6 published at the time (and certainly not her best). Tey set out to do something different, and she did. The Golden Age of British Mystery was in full swing, and the Ten Commandments of writing them was codified in 1929, the year that this book was published. Today, The Man in the Queue probably wouldn't be printed without extensive editing, particularly regarding the confusing use of the first person narrator willy nilly in the middle of things. The word 'dago' has already been replaced in several newer editions with 'Levantine', which is not an accurate substitution. Few know or care that Agatha Christies immortal play was originally called 'Ten Little Niggers' because it was edited so long ago. But I digress. For a truly excellent review of this book, see Kim's. It has several likes and comments, and deservedly so. Much better than I could write.

2023-02-06 22:58