I enjoyed meeting and speaking with Liz Rosenberg but I found her first novel lackluster. I enjoyed her works of poetry much more. This novel is set in nearby Binghamton, NY where the author lives and teaches at university so many local landmarks are mentioned. She is left by her husband during a garage sale. Wanting to empty her life of things she doesn't need, bought but didn't really want, or never used-she fills her driveway with piles of "stuff" she plans on ridding herself of. One thing that unwittingly is discarded that day is her marriage to a flighty, self centered man who leaves in his car not to return to his wife or children. The children act out in stereotypical ways causing further pain to their mother who seems boringly out of focus with herself. She pines for her man, losses weight, is watched over by her mother, etc. This story is well known and left me uninspired. I expected much more.
If you are looking for a emotionally comforting English mystery this is not it. Agatha Raisin shortsightedly thinks only of herself (her image, her health, her anger, her envy, her relationship status, the condition of her makeup, etc.). even when one of her employees is murdered, a friend struck down and squashes her partner's chances for love because she "has invested too much in her training to lose her to marriage and motherhood". Death abounds at Christmas time in the Cotswold, England. A disagreeable, petty bureaucrat turns up stabbed to death but with so many who disliked him for his nosey and spiteful ways, the murderer will be hard to find. Cotswold is a rural area in Great Britain that is made up of small villages and hamlets. Villages close rank when "one of their own is suspect" and would prefer living in fear with a killer than helping an outsider bring truth and justice to their little worlds.
This book was sadly disappointing for me, especially since I adore the writings of P.D. James immensely. Her general formula works so very well. The use of a strong male protagonist who is obsessively intent on solving a wonderfully crafted mystery, usually involving a grisly murder complete with fascinating suspects. The reader walks with the investigator and is given the case details, thus joining in the mental exercise of reaching a plausible solution to the crime.
This book faltered on many levels. Although it is well known that James is a devoted fan she has done a great disservice to the wonderfully imagined characters of Jane Austen that have been read and critiqued for over 100 years. What is so attractive about Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" is her verve and wit in using play-on-words that expose the preposterous behaviors and vanities in her social circle. She is quick to laugh at herself, enjoys her simple rural life and finds beauty in nature.
This novel proposes to follow Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy years after their socially unequal union of marriage. They now have a male "heir and a spare" to ensure the continuation of the Darcy line governing the Pemberley Estate. Lizzy and Darcy rarely spend quality time in conversation together and romantic moments seem few and far between as this "society couple" take care of the daily management of a giant Victorian mansion and grounds, plan expected balls and dinner menus, silver upkeep, etc. Their show more children are seen in the morning and the evening briefly by their parents in the nursery, an area of the house isolated from the adults and ruled by a nursemaid nanny and servants. Lizzy has conformed and seemingly cares deeply about fulfilling all the duties that are expected of her regardless of the hypocrisy and stultifying boredom that results. Gone is the laugher and lightness of spirit. Gone are the open frank conversations with the love of her life, Darcy.
Moreover, the" mystery" is little more than a crime where the details are reported in court. Strange revelations are made and this heavily burdened story drags on revealing ugly seductions, misdirected violence and the horrible, grasping traits of Mr. Wickham. show less
This book faltered on many levels. Although it is well known that James is a devoted fan she has done a great disservice to the wonderfully imagined characters of Jane Austen that have been read and critiqued for over 100 years. What is so attractive about Elizabeth Bennet in "Pride and Prejudice" is her verve and wit in using play-on-words that expose the preposterous behaviors and vanities in her social circle. She is quick to laugh at herself, enjoys her simple rural life and finds beauty in nature.
This novel proposes to follow Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy years after their socially unequal union of marriage. They now have a male "heir and a spare" to ensure the continuation of the Darcy line governing the Pemberley Estate. Lizzy and Darcy rarely spend quality time in conversation together and romantic moments seem few and far between as this "society couple" take care of the daily management of a giant Victorian mansion and grounds, plan expected balls and dinner menus, silver upkeep, etc. Their show more children are seen in the morning and the evening briefly by their parents in the nursery, an area of the house isolated from the adults and ruled by a nursemaid nanny and servants. Lizzy has conformed and seemingly cares deeply about fulfilling all the duties that are expected of her regardless of the hypocrisy and stultifying boredom that results. Gone is the laugher and lightness of spirit. Gone are the open frank conversations with the love of her life, Darcy.
Moreover, the" mystery" is little more than a crime where the details are reported in court. Strange revelations are made and this heavily burdened story drags on revealing ugly seductions, misdirected violence and the horrible, grasping traits of Mr. Wickham. show less