The launch of the book marks the culmination of a long journey, so long that it's taken several years to get to this point. After becoming fascinated by Sayers' reviews in the Sunday Times in the mid-30s, I suggested to the Society that they deserved to be published. This was agreed, and in the end, I would up introducing the book (there is also a foreword by Simon Brett) and writing a lengthy commentary. Putting the whole enterprise together was quite a task, but thanks to Sarah McIntosh, who painstakingly transcribed the original reviews, Seona Ford, and a number of other people connected with the Society, it has finally come to fruition.
I'm excited about it, because I think the reviews are a wonderfully informative resource for mystery fiction fans. What's more, they read very well, despite the fact that Sayers put them together under great pressure of time. She was, arguably, at the peak of her powers when she wrote them, and even if you aren't a huge fan of Sayers, I think that if you like classic crime ficition, you'll find plenty here to fascinate you.
Reaction to the book has already been very positive - here's a lengthy review by Kate Jackson which I was delighted to see. Even if you can't make it to the launch, you may well find the lure of the book hard to resist. I hope so.
11 comments:
Ooh, this sounds like a must-have! I am a great Sayers fan - I remember buying and devouring avidly her collection of early essays, published by Gollancz under the title Op.1, about 50 years ago.
Martin, please ignore my previous comment - I've just discovered Op.1 was not the title of a book of essays. I'm pretty sure I had both books (I was interested in collecting her non-Wimsey works) but it's late, I'm suffering from brain fade and am too lazy right now to go and do the necessary checking!
Hi Martin, I have ordered the book last week and I should receive it in a few days. I already had all the Sayers reviews in my files, but I'm very much interested in what you have to say about them (and about the reviewed books). I know I'll not be disappointed.
Well, Fiona, I have plenty of experience of brain-fade myself, believe me!
Thanks, Mauro. Very much hope you enjoy the commentary. Quite a lengthy one!
Congrats Martin - looks like another corker. Don't know how you find the time, but am certainly glad you do :)
Wish I could be there May 24, but it's a bit of a trip I'm afraid! I have already secured my copy through the Society. It will be waiting for me with Jasmine Simeone at the August DLS Conference. Wonderful!
Sergio, Nancy, thanks to both of you, and of course I hope you find the book lives up to expectations now that I've raised them! I'm optimistic that you will.
This is exciting news! Ordered it immediately. I expect the book to be as insightful and entertaining as Ramble House's collection of Anthony Boucher's San Francisco Chronicle reviews (still available), by the way, edited by Mike Nevins.
Thanks, Art. I agree about the Boucher reviews. There's also a good book of reviews by Charles Williams edited by Jared Lobdell
I have been really enjoying it - although I keep trying to find books from it!
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