Book 422: Vile Bodies

Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh, 1930.

I have read this book probably at least five times since I had first discovered it.  The first time, I remember being quite open-mouthed with shock at the casual references to death and debauchery.  The second time, I was struck by the humor.  Every time since then, I've read something new into this novel.  This last time I've read it, as someone who is closer to the older generation portrayed in this book than the Bright Young Things, I wondered whether Waugh was a Bright Young Thing or of the older generation.  Certainly he is liberal with his skewering, but there does seem to be an underlying fondness of the author for his characters.

Book 421: Starry Messenger

Starry Messenger, by Peter Sis, Frances Foster Books, 1996.


First of all, this book is gorgeous.  Amazingly and staggeringly and phenomenally gorgeous.

The story itself is a great introduction to the history of astronomy for early grade school children.  There is not a happy ending, because Galileo's story did not have a happy ending, but I like honesty in children's literature.

Overall, I thought this book was VERY well done.  I was not surprised to see Frances Foster's name associated with it.

Book 420: Dear Mili

Dear Mili, by Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, 1957.


This is an absolutely gorgeous rendering of a little-known fairy tale.  The beautifully lush illustrations pay homage to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, and yet are unmistakably Maurice Sendak.

The story itself is wonderfully told.  Does it end happily?  Um, no.  It's Grimm.  ;)

Book 419: The Thin Man

The Thin Man, by Dashiell Hammett, 1934.


The Thin Man is NOT Nick Charles (or William Powell).  The Thin Man in the book is the missing professor, who apparently was terribly thin.  The movies, however, were perfectly cast with William Powell and the incomparable Myrna Loy.

This was Hammett's last completed novel, and the first that he infuses with snappy, bantering humor.  Nora Charles was supposed to have been based on Lillian Hellman, who, while not my favorite writer, must have been quite witty.  This book is also an ode to alcohol -- whatever the question, alcohol is the answer.

It IS a pretty good mystery novel, but the mystery part does take a back seat.

Book 418: The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo, Candlewick Press, 2003.

I bought this book because I found it in a thrift store, and I knew it was a Newbery winner.

I did not love this book. I wanted to, and I thought I would love it, but I didn't. Despite the wonderful illustrations, I didn't even really like this book. 

I do not like the smug asides of 'Dear Reader'. I never have. I was willing to overlook them for the sake of the story, though. 

I do not like unmitigated brutality. Especially to children. Again, I could have overlooked that for the sake of the story.

But what if I don't especially like the story? I get the play on light and dark (chiaroscuro), I mean, it IS the name of one of the main characters. But here the book and the movie differ. And here the movie got what the book missed. Yes, you need darkness to appreciate the light, but darkness, especially in a children's book, should never consume the light. And forgiveness works both ways -- a princess may forgive a rat, but the rat may also forgive the princess. 

Book 417: The Dain Curse

The Dain Curse, by Dashiell Hammett, originally published in 1929.


It was a simple case of missing diamonds.  The diamonds were not worth enough to attract the number of murders that followed.  Of course there was something else going on, with someone else involved.

Hammett is brilliant with his writing.  It doesn't take too many of his books to know we've met the perpetrator fairly early on.  It is the "why" that is always worth the read.

Book 416: Lord Peter

Lord Peter, by Dorothy Sayers (short story collection).


I'm not even sure how often I've read this collection of stories -- four, maybe five, times, maybe even more -- and I was a pretty late arrival to the Lord Peter party.  I didn't discovery Dorothy Sayers until I was well into my 20s.

The mysteries are well thought out, often complicated, and usually intriguing.  And that is not even the best part of the stories.  Lord Peter is.  Or rather, the brilliant writing bringing Lord Peter to life is.