Are Women Human? By Dorothy L. Sayers

69 pages
Reprinted in 2005
by Eerdmans Publishing Company

Are Women Human? Penetrating, Sensible, and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society is just that -- a compilation of speeches and essays written by Dorothy L. Sayers around the same time she was penning her famed Lord Peter Wimsey novels. Of course, Ms. Sayers wrote more than just the Lord Peter books. Her bibliography includes a great number of plays, poetry collections, short stories, novels, essays, commentaries and other non-fiction works.

One might wonder that I chose to read this little book of essays unless of course you've noticed how quickly this review has followed my review of Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers. This is not by chance. I read Are Women Human? right after finishing Gaudy Night in preparation for the discussion with my book club. Together as a group it was decided that we would not only read and discuss one of Sayers' novels, but also this particular collection of essays for their relevance to some of the social commentaries entwined within Gaudy Night.

At first glance some might try to label Are Women Human? a collection of feminist thoughts and ideology in the most negative sense of the word, but that is exactly the opposite of what this book contains. The ladies in my book club (some quite conservative in ideology) and I found Ms. Sayers thoughts and comments to be both balanced and enlightening. But what we liked best about this book was the point of view given. Dorothy Sayers was not only a woman, but a married woman who also received a college education and maintained a career during the earliest years of the 20th century -- a time when the average woman did not attend college and was often challenged for her desire to have a career. Ms. Sayers' point of view is valuable in that it is vastly different than the point of view of a 21st century woman looking back or even a 18th century woman looking forward.

Of further interest to me, it almost seemed as if Ms. Sayers penned the first essay around the same time she was writing Gaudy Night, for examples used in her essay appear in similar form within the novel played out or brought up in conversations by various characters within the story.


Overall I think Ms. Sayer's views could be summed up in this quote from Are Women Human?:

"Indeed, it is my experience that both men and women are fundamentally human, and that there is very little mystery about either sex, except the exasperating mysteriousness of human beings in general."

 For those looking for a more in-depth study of some of the social issues of the early 1920s or for those curious to hear what Dorothy L. Sayers' views were on the issue of feminism I definitely recommend checking out this little book. It sparked some interesting discussion amongst my book club and further enriched my reading comprehension of the earlier reviewed Gaudy Night.

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Related Links:

• The Dorothy L. Sayers Society (UK)
• The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy L. Sayers
• The Whimsical Christian by Dorothy L. Sayers (18 essays) (Amazon)
• Are Women Human? by Dorothy L. Sayers (Amazon)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

501 pages
Published 1935 by Gollancz
Reprinted by Harper Collins Publishers in 1995
New York, NY

It's no secret, I love a good mystery read. And yet somehow I had managed to get nearly three decades into my life with books without once picking up a novel by Dorothy L. Sayers. That is, until this year when several of the ladies in my book club strongly encouraged our group to not only read Gaudy Night, but to add it to the very limited list of books we read and discuss together. I knew then and there I had to read something by Dorothy L. Sayers. A book coming with such strong recommendation from readers I respect and admire, I knew must be indeed a worthwhile read.

For those that don't know much about Sayers' mystery novels, Gaudy Night is the tenth book in the Lord Peter Wimsey detective series. It varies slightly from the earlier books in the series in that the plot revolves around mystery author Harriet Vane, a friend of Lord Peter's, with Lord Peter taking a supporting role to the story. Having absolutely no background in either the character's lives or the previous cases solved within the series I thought I might be in for a bit of confusion, but I was not. Although references to earlier cases, particularly Strong Poison are made, these are subtle and do not distract from the present story. In a way, Gaudy Night could probably be considered one of the few stand-alone reads within a series if one chose to read it that way.

The plot:
Famed mystery writer Harriet Vane returns to her alma mater (an all female college) for reunion of sorts, which will include the annual "Gaudy" celebrations. Harriet initially has second thoughts about making the trip, but after the weekend turns out well she quickly dismisses such thoughts... Until she  discovers a poison-pen type note in the pocket of her gown that she wore during her stay. This she soon learns is not the only one of its kind. The dons of the college contact Harriet asking for her assistance in solving a real mystery -- who is the lunatic behind a string of malicious pranks, poison pen letters and nasty graffiti that has been spread around the college following the Gaudy Night. The only problem is the dons want to keep the matter out of the press and yet there is a sense of urgency that the mystery must be solved before someone is seriously injured... Hoping to avoid scandal and further problems Harriet begins to investigate, but quickly turns to her friend Lord Peter Wimsey for help in clearing the names of some of her beloved teachers.

My Thoughts:
I truly enjoyed Gaudy Night. It was a good mystery read. Although, I confess, I did solve the "whodunnit" about 125 pages before the end, which I count an accomplishment as the mystery was a definite puzzler. I found the story well plotted, well written, and overall fascinating on so many levels.

On the surface you have a mystery. Below that there are discussions and thought provoking conversations that revolve around issues of the day like social class, feminism, a woman's education, and the advantages of marriage and single-hood, career and family. Of course to further enrich this novel there is also a love story and plenty of charm and wit to keep the reader laughing and turning the pages.

Yes, this is a Harriet Vane story, but it is contained within the Lord Peter Wimsey series and Lord Peter's presence is certainly felt within the book even when he is physically absent from the scene. It didn't take long before I knew I had to read the rest of the series. I just loved Lord Peter and Harriet Vane.

Gaudy Night is a quotable, meaty story, but also a thrilling and completely satisfying mystery. Definitely a must-read for mystery fans or those looking for a good English read from the early part of the 20th century, but don't just take my word for it, go get a copy and discover for yourself!

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Related Links:

• Online Gaudy Night annotations by Bill Peschel (for those of us who need help w/ Latin quotes and other classical references)
• The Dorothy L. Sayers Society (UK)
• HarperCollins Publishers: Dorothy L. Sayers
  
• Open Library: Dorothy L. Sayers

The Red House Mystery by A. A. Milne

239 pages
Published in 1922 by E. P. Dutton & Company


I don't recall now where or when I first learned of The Red House Mystery. I might have stumbled upon it while looking for an audio book to listen to during a long flight delay. Or it is possible I found it while perusing the list of books written by one of the world's most cherished children's authors, A. A. Milne. Because, of course when you hear the name A. A. Milne the stories of a rolly-polly bear named Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, and the friends within the Hundred Acre Wood are what first come to mind. And because of this I never gave Milne more than a passing thought. Yes, I planned to read all the Winnie-the-Pooh stories to my daughter when she was old enough, but it never occurred to me that Milne might have penned any novels for an adult audience.

And then I discovered The Red House Mystery. It is one of Milne's earliest novels and also his only detective/mystery novel. Published in 1922, The Red House Mystery predates the Winnie-the-Pooh stories by four years. It appears to have been written purely for fun and the enjoyment of Milne's father, who loved a good mystery.

The plot:
"The setting is an English country house, where Mark Ablett has been entertaining a house party consisting of a widow and her marriageable daughter, a retired major, a wilful actress, and Bill Beverley, a young man about town. Mark's long-lost brother Robert, the black sheep of the family, arrives from Australia and shortly thereafter is found dead, shot through the head. Mark Ablett has disappeared, so Tony Gillingham, a stranger who has just arrived to call on his friend Bill, decides to investigate. Gillingham plays Sherlock Holmes to his younger counterpart's Doctor Watson; they progress almost playfully through the novel while the clues mount up and the theories abound." (summary courtesy of Wikipedia)

My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Red House Mystery from the first page to the last. It was a mix of clever clues, puzzling problems, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor. There were a few suspenseful scenes and the ending was fully acceptable, albeit I admit a tad bit predictable (at least to me an avid fan of whodunit mysteries). Still, when I finished reading this little-known mystery novel I felt as if I'd stumbled upon a hidden gem.
 
I read somewhere that A. A. Milne did not like to be pigeon-holed into one specific genre of books, hence why during his life-time he wrote such a variety of books, plays, and poems. My only regret in discovering this gem of a novel is that it is the only one of its kind amongst Milne's works. The Red House Mystery was a worthwhile and thoroughly enjoyable read and I highly recommend it to any reader looking for a new mystery to solve or to discover another side to Milne's creative mind.

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Related Links:

• Project Gutenberg: The Red House Mystery (Free E-Book)
• LibriVox: The Red House Mystery (Free Audio Book)
• Pooh Corner
• Winnie The Pooh (UK) - Author's page
• 5 Minutes for Books: All things A. A. Milne
• Reading To Know Highlights A. A. Milne

What's on my Nightstand: August 2011

It's been a bizarre August. It is the 23rd of the month and I truly feel as though just this past weekend it was the start of August. Where has the time gone?

I've not done much reading this month. That is to say, the reading I have done has been purely for fun and easy. Towards the end of July I read another Agatha Christie novel, A Murder is Announced (a relaxing puzzler for the mind). I also read a modern mystery novel, The Blue Rose: An English Garden Mystery (which I was very disappointed in), and a French book about books: A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse (which motivated me to sit right down and write up a review). Then in early August I finished two novels by Dorothy L. Sayers -- the first in the Lord Peter Wimsey series (Whose Body?) and the last (Busman's Honeymoon). Odd to read them in that order, but I had read Gaudy Night back in May for my book club and I was dying to read the "sequel," Busman's Honeymoon, so while I waited for it to arrive through ILL I read up on the first in the series. I plan to continue the rest of the series as time allows. I have been won over, I am truly a Lord Peter and Harriet Vane fan through and through.

The only other book I've started and nearly finished is biographical. I picked up the audio version of First Family: Abigail and John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis right before a road trip in early August. Since the road trip I've not had much time to listen to audio books, so I've lost speed on this read, but I know I only a few chapters from the end. I've enjoyed the book thus far and hope I can find time to review it here.

So that is what I've read since July, and here's what I have on my nightstand for the remainder of August and early September:

The Man of Property by John Galsworthy, which is the first in the Forsyte Saga. I've always been curious about this series and so decided to give the first novel a try. The story isn't quite what I imagined, but the copy I have through ILL was published in 1906 and it smells INCREDIBLE, so I don't mind pushing through the duller parts just to get a whiff of the pages. Silly, perhaps, but it's worked thus far, I'm about 1/4 of the way into the story.

Entwined by Heather Dixon. This novel I learned about via Carrie at Reading To Know. I love Robin McKinley and Shannon Hale, which Carrie likened this author's style to and I have always enjoyed the story of the twelve dancing princesses, so I definitely want to give this story a try.

And that is all I have right now. Short and simple. But then, I find my reading time is very limited these days and my blogging time even more so. Perhaps as the summer winds down I will find more time... at least until the baby comes later this year. We shall see.

What about you? What are you reading this month? What's on your nightstand? Leave a comment or head over to 5 Minutes for Books and link up your own nightstand post. And while you're there be sure to check out what other readers and bloggers are reading right now.

Quotes: John Adams

"The more one reads the more one sees we have to read."

~ John Adams to Abigail Adams in a letter dated December 28, 1794.

Mark Your Calendars! A Library is a Hospital for the Mind to host Third Annual Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge Fall 2011

Attention readers! Spread the word! The original Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge will be returning to A Library is a Hospital for the Mind blog this October!

This will be the third year I've had the honor of hosting this reading challenge and I am just as excited as I was last year. As was the case in 2009 and 2010 this year's reading challenge will include book reviews (and posts where participants can link up their own reviews or Maud Hart Lovelace related posts), fun trivia and games, educational postings and links, and of course lots of chances to win Betsy-Tacy or Maud Hart Lovelace books and memorabilia.

But the biggest news this year is that Harper Perennial (a division of HarperCollins Publishers) will be releasing The Betsy-Tacy Treasury on October 25, 2011 November 8, 2011 (**NOTE: Harper Perennial has moved the release date.), which will contain the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series complete with forwards by Judy Blume, Esther Hautzig and Johanna Hurwitz and of course the classic illustrations of Lois Lenski. (*Note: MHL Reading Challenge participants who are signed up by October 7 will have a chance to enter to win a copy of this awesome Treasury as well as previously released copies of the Betsy-Tacy and Deep Valley series all compliments of Harper Perennial.)

I hope you will spread the word about the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge and then when October rolls around that you will join in the fun!

(If you'd like a copy of the reading challenge button (see top of post) to post on your own blog send me a note (libraryhospitalblog [AT] gmail {DOT} com) with your email address.

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Related Links:

• Harper Perennial Modern Classics from HarperCollins Publishers
• Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge 2009
• Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge 2010
• The Besty-Tacy Society
• More about Betsy, Tacy, Tib and Maud Hart Lovelace
• Beyond Little House: Partnering with the Betsy-Tacy Society (July 17, 2010)
• Betsy-Tacy E-Book Release Information

Tuesday Teaser: Whose Body?

"Lord Peter's library was one of the most delightful bachelor rooms in London. Its scheme was black and primrose; its walls were lined with rare editions, and its chairs and Chesterfield sofa suggested the embraces of the houris. In one corner stood a black baby grand, a wood fire leaped on a wide old-fashioned hearth, and the Sevres vases on the chimney-piece were filled with ruddy and gold chrysanthemums. To the eyes of the young man who was ushered in from the raw November fog it seemed not only rare and unattainable, but friendly and familiar, like a colourful and gilded paradise in a medieval painting."

Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers (Chpt 2, pg 16)

Tuesday Teaser: A Novel Bookstore

"We have no time to waste on insignificant books, hollow books, books that are here to please.

We have no time for those sloppy, hurried books of the 'Go on, I need it for July, and in September we'll give you a proper launch and sell one hundred thousand copies, it's in the bag' variety.

We want books that are written for those of us who doubt everything, who cry over the least little thing, who are startled by the slightest noise.

We wants books that cost their authors a great deal, books where you can feel the years of work, the backache, the writer's block, the author's panic at the thought that he might be lost; his discouragement, his courage, his anguish, his stubbornness, the risk of failure that he has taken.

We want splendid books, books that immerse us in the splendor of reality and keep us there; books that prove to us that love is at work in the world next to evil, right up against it, at times indistinctly, and that it always will be, just the way that suffering will always ravage hearts.

We want good novels.

We want books that leave nothing out; neither human tragedy nor everyday wonders, books that bring fresh air to our lungs.

And even if there is only one such book per decade, even if there is only one....every ten years, that would be enough. We want nothing else."

~ A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cosse, Part III, (Chpt 36, pg 279-280)