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Talking About Detective Fiction
Talking About Detective Fiction | P. D. James
11 posts | 10 read | 20 to read
P. D. James--one of the most widely admired writers of detective fiction at work today--gives us a personal, lively exploration of the human appetite for mystery and mayhem, and of those writers who have satisfied it. She examines the genre from top to bottom, beginning with the mysteries at the hearts of such novels as Charles Dickens's Bleak House, and bringing us into the present with such writers as Colin Dexter and Sara Paretsky. She compares British and American Golden Age mystery writing. She discusses detective fiction as social history, the stylistic components of the genre, her own process of writing, how critics have reacted over the years, and what she sees as a renewal of detective fiction--and of the detective hero--in recent years.--From publisher description.
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Angeles
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Great little essay book about detective fiction by a master of the genre. Love the sketches introducing each chapter

Bookwomble 😂 I read The Hound of the Baskervilles last month - this cartoon tickled me! 2y
Angeles @bookwomble. 😁Yep it is pretty funny 2y
15 likes2 comments
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dylanisreading
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Excellent so far. I really want to read more mystery fiction, and this is going to make my tbr explode.

The narrator is lovely.

#audiobooks

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KendallMorganHall
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Pickpick

Worthwhile reading for anyone who wants to write detective fiction or who reads a lot of detective fiction and want to think more critically about why they like it.

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llwheeler
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Pickpick

The verdict is in - I don't agree with my dad's "meh, interesting enough" review. I enjoyed this and can see myself referring to it again to add to my tbr. I found it accessible enough for someone who doesn't know a lot about detective fiction (me) and detailed enough I think it would bring out something new for afficionados. Particularly enjoyed the social history context, I feel I will approach Christie etc with more grounding next time.

llwheeler (As if I need help adding to my tbr. But still). 7y
33 likes1 stack add1 comment
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llwheeler
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"[Detective fiction] is particularly popular in times of unrest, anxiety and uncertainty, when society can be faced with problems which no money, political theories or good intentions seem able to solve or alleviate. [...] we may well be at the beginning of a new Golden Age."

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llwheeler
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Next up. Got this as an xmas gift a few years ago from my dad. Turns out he'd picked it up for me, then read it himself before gifting it. So when I opened it, it already came with his disclaimer/review, basically "it's okay but not as good as I was hoping, read it and then probably get rid of it" ? time to find out if I agree.

RachelAmphlett This is a fantastic read, and one of my go-to non-fic crime books - enjoy! 7y
llwheeler @RachelAmphlett It's really interesting so far! 7y
34 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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TotoroReads
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Pickpick

Who killed Totoro? Ok, that attempt at referencing the rabbit didn't work out but Totoro really enjoyed this book! It was a great discussion on the genre (Totoro particularly loved the chapter on the four great women novelists) written by someone who knows her stuff.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this book. Got a lot of ideas for new/old books.

Books_Wine_Repeat Love books about books! 📚💕 8y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Ok, I love that sort of thing!!! And I've never read PD James. 8y
kspenmoll Must read this as her books have entertained & engaged me for years! 8y
74 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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Jen2
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Just started listening!!

Magdawrites @Jen2 enjoy, this was eye opening about the evolution of the genre over time. :) 8y
79 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Jen2

Just started listening!!