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Whose Body?  (Lord Peter Wimsey, #1)
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March 2022: Classics > Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers - 1 star

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message 1: by Barbara M (last edited Mar 21, 2022 04:58PM) (new) - rated it 1 star

Barbara M (barbara-m) | 2597 comments I picked this up because it was a classic. The setting was the 1920s and it was first published in 1923 and, IMHO it just didn't age well. Maybe it was the audio, the voices were so "upper class." The snobbishness and classism (is that a word?) and the racism just rubbed me so wrong. I listened for nearly 2 hours and just couldn't take it. I'd like to know whose body it was and what and how the two cases have in common and how they'll merge . . . but just not that badly. I had to put it down, life is just too short. Perhaps someday I'll pick up the print edition and see if that will work.

Not sure this works for the tag since I didn't finish it?


Robin P | 5763 comments I adore Lord Peter but you're right, there are terms used in this particular book that are offensive today. The main thing about Lord Peter is that his whole foppish personality is actually a kind of secret identity covering up his brilliant detective skills. If you weren't liking it, it's just fine that you quit.

For anyone interested in this series, it's probably best to start with the 2nd book, Clouds of Witness, which introduces Lord Peter and his family much more.


Jgrace | 3947 comments Barbara M wrote: "I picked this up because it was a classic. The setting was the 1920s and it was first published in 1923 and, IMHO it just didn't age well. Maybe it was the audio, the voices were so "upper class." ..."

There are few good audio recordings of Sayers books, especially the older ones. I'd also agree that her books are full of race and class prejudice.
I still adore Lord Peter. I got hooked on the PBS Masterpiece Mystery adaptations that were aired in the '80s. Those adaptations were of some of the later books that featured Harriet Vane, Lord Peter's love interest. Vane is very much a feminist character, and mildly autobiographical. Dorothy Sayers had an interesting personal history.


message 5: by Susan (new)

Susan Lewallen (susanlewallen) | 797 comments Robin P wrote: "Yes, I have The Mutual Admiration Society: How Dorothy L. Sayers and her Oxford Circle Remade the World for Women but haven't yet read it."

I just got Mutual Admiration Society for another book club. I suspect I won't finish it but that may just be because I'm not a non fic fan unless the subject is near and dear to me. I've not read any of Sayers' books -- perhaps I won't...


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