tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post8259180342810131299..comments2024-03-19T04:14:57.476+00:00Comments on 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?': Profiling Ruth RendellMartin Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-72070018005516813852011-04-17T03:41:09.497+01:002011-04-17T03:41:09.497+01:00The first Rendell I read was a Barbara Vine: A DAR...The first Rendell I read was a Barbara Vine: A DARK-ADAPTED EYE, the first of many readings. It isn't unusual for me to read a Vine twice the first year it's out. I've read several of them 3-5 times each, but ASTA'S BOOK takes the cake - 13 full readings. As I always put it, Ruth Rendell is my favorite writer, Period - well, except for Barbara Vine, that is! Interesting that exactly one month to the day after your post I met Rendell in Denver - prior to that our paths had only crossed via e-mail and inscribed books. It was A Night To Remember, I can assure you. My preference for her books is 1) The Vines, 2) The Rendell Stand-Alones, and 3) The Wexfords. I'm glad she hasn't dispensed with Wexford - I read them and enjoy them because Ruth Rendell writes them, but if she stopped writing them, it wouldn't bother me all that much. All I can find on-line of the ITV Awards thing is a 2-1/2 minute teaser which included some nice glimpses of her. I loved Dame Helen Mirren's remark about being in a room with her four favorite heroines!Philip Swanhttp://swanseyeview.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-9849588741526058322009-10-17T20:34:17.665+01:002009-10-17T20:34:17.665+01:00I do appreciate all these comments.
Kerrie - she s...I do appreciate all these comments.<br />Kerrie - she said she had no plans to retire or kill off Wexford.<br />Shirley, those are also my favourites.<br />Minnie, yes, Asta's Book is really good.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-79620667850153784952009-10-15T17:27:50.089+01:002009-10-15T17:27:50.089+01:00I agree on Judgment in Stone. It's a seminal c...I agree on <i>Judgment in Stone</i>. It's a seminal crime novel, I think. I also think the first few Barbara Vine novels are among her finest work. I like to thnk of her, in a way, as an anatomist, particularly in some of the Vine novels and non-Wexford Rendells. She has a way of completely dissecting a character, emotionally and mentally, that is fascinating.Dean Jamesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-22465782439248618222009-10-15T11:50:06.194+01:002009-10-15T11:50:06.194+01:00Another 'Barbara Vine' and Rendell non-Wex...Another 'Barbara Vine' and Rendell non-Wexford series fan here. I also think the often-ignored 'Asta's Book' is fascinating, especially for anyone who's interested in clues about the writer herself (and her Danish connection).<br />I think RR in general is very good at 'state of society' themes, often via the off-beam personalities she so brilliantly characterises - they frequently serve to pinpoint or even personify wider social issues (especially those connected with increasing social atomisation) - too many examples to enumerate!Minniehttp://minniebeaniste.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-17414652334813434922009-10-13T07:16:43.554+01:002009-10-13T07:16:43.554+01:00I think some of the earlier Wexfords are quite goo...I think some of the earlier Wexfords are quite good detective novels that show Rendell was adept at Christie-like misdirection. I imagine she'll be remembered longest for the non-Wexford psychological thrillers, however. Her creative heart has seemed to be more into these for some time now.vegetableducknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-56020934910990843492009-10-12T15:17:33.219+01:002009-10-12T15:17:33.219+01:00I remember being shocked by Simisola. That doesn&#...I remember being shocked by Simisola. That doesn't happen very often. Hope it comes to US tv.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-77656302276708689622009-10-12T12:21:06.798+01:002009-10-12T12:21:06.798+01:00Thanks for this profile, Martin. Rendell is one of...Thanks for this profile, Martin. Rendell is one of my favorites and you're absolutely right; she has a gift for creating unusual characters that are still believable and real.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-60483516103926921242009-10-12T12:14:50.301+01:002009-10-12T12:14:50.301+01:00I, too, was very disappointed with the lack of non...I, too, was very disappointed with the lack of non-Wexford work. Ruth Rendell has been my favourite writer for many years, and I much prefer her Rendell stand-alones and Barbara Vine books.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05938431508430656253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-8584782381762148532009-10-12T10:41:04.855+01:002009-10-12T10:41:04.855+01:00I'll look for the show online--hope they'l...I'll look for the show online--hope they'll post it. I love Rendall *and* Barbara Vine. <br /><br />Elizabeth<br /><a href="http://mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Mystery Writing is Murder</a>Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-89131404888160980112009-10-12T10:40:16.915+01:002009-10-12T10:40:16.915+01:00Did they ask her about retiring Wexford Martin? I ...Did they ask her about retiring Wexford Martin? I have seen a couple of reviews of THE MONSTER IN THE BOX which have been disappointing.<br />I can't imagine Rendell without Wexford, but I guess he's had a good innings. She has been one of <a href="http://paradise-mysteries.blogspot.com/search/label/Ruth%20Rendell" rel="nofollow">my favourite authors</a> for some years.Kerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581470363339796352noreply@blogger.com