Marrianna and I have become very attached to British Mysteries. For a couple of years it was the Inspector Morse series, followed by Inspector Lewis. I very much like Inspector Lewis and look forward to each episode. For the past two weeks we have watched another British mystery on PBS, Masterpiece Contemporary. I'm never sure whether these shows are actually better than US mystery or if I have succumbed to the British aura of being better. I have to say that I think these shows have much higher quality acting than anything I've seen from US producers.
For me, it is interesting how attached we become to the characters, especially Inspector Lewis. Of course we know they are scripted and acted by some very good actors who may not be anything like the character they're playing. But following each episode we discuss the plot and characters as if they were real. That, to me, is a sign of believable characters, good writing, and excellent acting.
The last Masterpiece Contemporary was a two part story. Marrianna had the plot twist deciphered almost exactly, and during the week between episodes we discussed it several times. There was a question left in the story at the very end. The editor was handed a series of photos that, if he published them, would destroy the reputation of a man and create havoc for a village. Other than the full truth being exposed, there was no reason to publish them. The man who had been hanged forty years earlier deserved punishment, though legally hanging was not the sentence he should have received. For me, the hanging was justified, but legally it should not have occurred. So, the question left at the end was, did he publish them.
Once in a while a book comes along that gives me a similar feeling; believable characters, excellent writing, and a very good story. I began such a book this afternoon. It is "Hell at the Breech," by Tom Franklin [2003, Harper Collins, New York]. This is a work of fiction based on a true incident late in the 19th century in Alabama. This is a very well written novel, and though I'm barely a quarter through, it may be one of those novels that has me reading until it's complete.
There is another novel on the table next to my reading chair. I picked it up in a used bookstore last week because the title intrigued me, "The Edge of the Alphabet", by Janet Frame [1962, George Braziller Publisher, New York]. Ms Frame has a long list of books in her credits, none of which I've read. I hope this one lives up to the interest generated for me by its title.
I had never heard of George Braziller Publisher and thought perhaps since Ms Frame's book was published over 45 years ago the house may have ceased publishing. Wrong. I Googled the name and it is still active. Just another reminder that good works don't have to be published by the big names.
If I should ever become very rich, there are two dreams I keep under wraps but with money would flourish. One is to collect books and the other collect beautiful automobiles. We have a lot of books, but not nearly as many as I would like. Collecting books can be very expensive. Collecting automobiles is even more expensive, but I can dream. I would begin my dream collection with a 1966-67 Jaguar XKE.
Automobiles are definitely beyond me, but books can be indulged once in a while. I have a very good copy of the first edition of Mary Poppins I picked out of a pile and bought for 25 cents. I've seen an appraisal for another one I don't think is in as good condition at $270.
Dinner is almost ready. It's time to stop dreaming, feeding the inner self, and to feed the physical one.
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