I wonder if the very range of social worlds in which Wimsey can “pass” is part of the occasional judgement of him (by himself not least) as being fundamentally “unserious” or a rather shallow, comical fellow. Able to a turn anywhere but very hard to get a handle on where he actually naturally fits. Until he tells Harriet about raising ducal oaks and she realises she’s married England.
I happened to read this novel a few weeks back (I’m on Gaudy Night now), and I really enjoyed your analysis. I’d picked up some of the contrasts, but your survey across the book was revealing. And yes, please do more about DLS and Shax: she was a bit like Lord Peter, in that she had an intellectual side to her which she felt was insufficiently apparent in her crime novels—so I am sure she would have loved being given that treatment!
A fascinating dissection of what I have always thought to be one of the lesser Wimseys. It makes me think I should use this lens on "Murder Must Advertise", which I think I prefer to "Strong Poison". The echoes of Waugh and Scott Fitzgerald might have blinded me to the social comedy of the advertising office. I think Sayers portrays it very well, from first-hand knowledge, but it would be interesting to examine just how Death Bredon navigates it - a duck out of water - and whether he would really come across as convincing to his colleagues
Strong Poison shows two major influences that DLS had on Agatha Christie. First, Miss Climpson, the private detective, was clearly an inspiration of Miss Marple. Second, DLS admitted that she wrote herself into the novel as Harriet Vane, Christie did the same, although more tongue in cheek, with Ariadne Oliver.
Thank you for this interesting analysis of Strong Poison. I love the books Dorothy L. Sayers wrote. I wonder if the first readers of Strong Poison (published in 1930) were confused / shocked by the themes in the book?
I agree that Harriet Walter was an excellent choice for these adaptations, as was Edward Petherbridge. The BBC's choice of actors in the 1980s and 90s was superb. Thinking of the Agatha Christie adaptations (David Suchet and Joan Hickson), and Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett).
I wonder if the very range of social worlds in which Wimsey can “pass” is part of the occasional judgement of him (by himself not least) as being fundamentally “unserious” or a rather shallow, comical fellow. Able to a turn anywhere but very hard to get a handle on where he actually naturally fits. Until he tells Harriet about raising ducal oaks and she realises she’s married England.
I happened to read this novel a few weeks back (I’m on Gaudy Night now), and I really enjoyed your analysis. I’d picked up some of the contrasts, but your survey across the book was revealing. And yes, please do more about DLS and Shax: she was a bit like Lord Peter, in that she had an intellectual side to her which she felt was insufficiently apparent in her crime novels—so I am sure she would have loved being given that treatment!
"I’ll have to come back to Sayers’ Shakespeare allusions another time" -- please do! I've always wanted to do that but never gotten around to it!
A fascinating dissection of what I have always thought to be one of the lesser Wimseys. It makes me think I should use this lens on "Murder Must Advertise", which I think I prefer to "Strong Poison". The echoes of Waugh and Scott Fitzgerald might have blinded me to the social comedy of the advertising office. I think Sayers portrays it very well, from first-hand knowledge, but it would be interesting to examine just how Death Bredon navigates it - a duck out of water - and whether he would really come across as convincing to his colleagues
Strong Poison shows two major influences that DLS had on Agatha Christie. First, Miss Climpson, the private detective, was clearly an inspiration of Miss Marple. Second, DLS admitted that she wrote herself into the novel as Harriet Vane, Christie did the same, although more tongue in cheek, with Ariadne Oliver.
Very interesting analysis.
Thank you - that is much appreciated.
Thank you for this interesting analysis of Strong Poison. I love the books Dorothy L. Sayers wrote. I wonder if the first readers of Strong Poison (published in 1930) were confused / shocked by the themes in the book?
I agree that Harriet Walter was an excellent choice for these adaptations, as was Edward Petherbridge. The BBC's choice of actors in the 1980s and 90s was superb. Thinking of the Agatha Christie adaptations (David Suchet and Joan Hickson), and Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett).
I agree I loved these adaptations of lord peter wimsey and I read all the books
You make me want to reread this book. Thanks.
With Harriet Vane I couldn’t help but think I was seeing Dorothy L. Sayer’s wish fulfillment.
Although I haven’t read this in years you certainly have caught the flavour of her style
"nor is it inconceivable at all that William Goldman was influenced by Sayers." I see what you did there!