tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post2600357897328082806..comments2024-03-28T20:46:22.875+00:00Comments on Clothes In Books: Ruth Rendell RIPClothes In Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-45689771731148845622015-05-10T22:11:33.736+01:002015-05-10T22:11:33.736+01:00Above people recommend One Across Two Down, and I ...Above people recommend One Across Two Down, and I think I also liked A Sleeping LIfe, and Murder Being Once Done. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-30124194713170649482015-05-09T07:03:30.543+01:002015-05-09T07:03:30.543+01:00Which Wexfords do you recommend?Which Wexfords do you recommend?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-63832235297294063482015-05-08T13:02:38.791+01:002015-05-08T13:02:38.791+01:00In a league table, I would put this one book, then...In a league table, I would put this one book, then one or two of the Barbara Vines, and then Wexford, and finally the other standalones. I thought the Wexfords varied more than you might expect, but could enjoy them on the whole. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-4261456836449784522015-05-08T03:51:15.826+01:002015-05-08T03:51:15.826+01:00I will have to get a copy of this one and reread i...I will have to get a copy of this one and reread it. It has been years and years. I have not read many of the standalone books but I have a few to try. I do have all the Wexford novels except the last one, and have read most of them, although I now think I missed some from the 90s. I liked the Wexford novels a lot, was never much interested in the others.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-51701351127325654882015-05-06T13:58:34.352+01:002015-05-06T13:58:34.352+01:00Yes, I agree, there came a point where I stopped l...Yes, I agree, there came a point where I stopped looking out for a new book by her, and would rather read an old one. But as you say, her achievement was astonishing, and I do like authors with a large output. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-9801575164008803632015-05-06T13:55:57.533+01:002015-05-06T13:55:57.533+01:00I'm going to have to get One Across... out and...I'm going to have to get One Across... out and re-read.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-88898679038642033402015-05-05T22:40:00.713+01:002015-05-05T22:40:00.713+01:00I'd forgotten 'One Across, Two Down' -...I'd forgotten 'One Across, Two Down' - it's a grimly brilliant little gemLissa Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-90825365845954730372015-05-05T22:38:50.263+01:002015-05-05T22:38:50.263+01:00'A Judgement in Stone' is absolutely my fa...'A Judgement in Stone' is absolutely my favourite as well - I must have read it at least three times - and I think your phrase 'completeness and rightness' is perfect; it's immensely satisfying, despite the tragedy at its heart. My favourite Wexford was the first one I ever read - 'A Sleeping Life' - mainly because I completely failed to guess the brilliant central twist, and it led me to read practically everything Ruth Rendell wrote. <br />There was, sadly, a fairly steep decline in the quality of the later books ( I often found the more youthful characters in them embarrassing, as they were so hopelessly unbelievable) but overall, I think her achievement was astonishing.Lissa Evansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-70729091071102088282015-05-05T15:21:52.668+01:002015-05-05T15:21:52.668+01:00Yes indeed, Jose Ignacio, I saw that you have it t...Yes indeed, Jose Ignacio, I saw that you have it to hand...Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-47107694296632472762015-05-05T15:21:33.341+01:002015-05-05T15:21:33.341+01:00Sergio - if you like Chabrol you will love the fil...Sergio - if you like Chabrol you will love the film, it's a really good one. And the book is great in a very different way....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-58802593249716299632015-05-05T15:21:06.108+01:002015-05-05T15:21:06.108+01:00Her books vary so much don't they? One of the ...Her books vary so much don't they? One of the silver linings of her death is that everyone is sharing their recommendations for her best books (and they are all different!) so we can all look at her further...Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-62106701452270572832015-05-05T15:19:59.414+01:002015-05-05T15:19:59.414+01:00It sounds as though you would enjoy the Wexford bo...It sounds as though you would enjoy the Wexford books, as your uncle says - although this particular standalone isn't particularly creepy (the film is). She wasn't my favourite writer but there was a lot to admire about her writing, and about her life, and, as you say, her interest in social issues. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-72732290987134734932015-05-05T09:36:04.246+01:002015-05-05T09:36:04.246+01:00A book I'm looking forward to reading, Moira!A book I'm looking forward to reading, Moira!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-83381471761689707642015-05-05T08:59:52.910+01:002015-05-05T08:59:52.910+01:00A fine tribute - and thank for this choice because...A fine tribute - and thank for this choice because I have not read this one (or seen the film either, and I really like Chabrol most fo the time) - will remedy this!Sergio (Tipping My Fedora)http://bloodymurder.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-84851363368086436372015-05-05T03:23:49.093+01:002015-05-05T03:23:49.093+01:00I don't remember ever reading this one but you...I don't remember ever reading this one but you've made a compelling case. I must do a similar post regarding my favourite of her novels - Road Rage. Having been quite scathing about Wexford/Rendell (and even a couple of the Vine books that I've read) I should acknowledge that I do have a soft spot for that one - one of the first crime novels I came across that tackled an environmental theme and I love books that do thatBernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641617609801125707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-91467467091105859862015-05-04T21:43:20.837+01:002015-05-04T21:43:20.837+01:00Sappho, that's a great description of her writ...Sappho, that's a great description of her writing - she did those details so well. I think sometimes it is too close to home for me, having lived through the austere 60s and 70s. I certainly recognize much of what she describes.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-81747498188304026702015-05-04T21:38:56.788+01:002015-05-04T21:38:56.788+01:00I'm not into creepy so I steer clear of them, ...I'm not into creepy so I steer clear of them, although I may try one of the stand-alones that are recommended at some point.<br />However, I read one of the Inspector Wexford books and liked it and enjoyed Simosola in the TV series. <br />An uncle of mine who liked non-eerie, non-psychological suspense books, loved Inspector Wexford. He told me every time I talked to him how much he enjoyed that series.<br />I admire Ruth Rendell for publishing 60 books and pushing the envelope in crime fiction. Donna Leon often priased her Barbara Vine books and read passages from them out loud at lectures.<br />I am a more conservative reader so I'll look at more Wexford books.<br />One of Rendell's important writing traits is that she raised consciousness on important social issues on which she was quite progressive. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-13724167774453703542015-05-04T20:52:25.005+01:002015-05-04T20:52:25.005+01:00What I, as an American, love about Rendell is her ...What I, as an American, love about Rendell is her vivid evocation of a certain kind of British life. An early mystery of hers called One Across, Two Down perfectly captures something of the austerity of the mid 1960s, and her final novel (how sad to think of it that way), The Girl Next Door, does a wonderful job portraying children in a vanished suburb more than 50 years ago. In fact, I think she is particularly good at reminding us what life was like. Asta's Book is my favorite because I find it utterly convincing about the people, place, and time. But I also love the creepiness of The Tree of Hands, for instance. <br /><br />Reviewers often note with surprise that Rendell can be funny. Her wit is very dry, especially when it is directed at social ills. She never preached, but she got her message across. I will miss her.Sapphonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-38469764006116989442015-05-04T19:53:04.244+01:002015-05-04T19:53:04.244+01:00There must be some in there somewhere. I think you...There must be some in there somewhere. I think you might enjoy her darker, more thriller-ish ones. Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-33210981790750073482015-05-04T18:42:09.289+01:002015-05-04T18:42:09.289+01:00I ought to read her soon, I think I have this one ...I ought to read her soon, I think I have this one and a couple of others, but nothing logged yet.col2910https://www.blogger.com/profile/06422138069939709043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-47696214894392959122015-05-04T15:48:22.286+01:002015-05-04T15:48:22.286+01:00Yes Margot, completely agree with you. A great boo...Yes Margot, completely agree with you. A great book. And yes, titles....Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-91537352367570082332015-05-04T15:47:57.263+01:002015-05-04T15:47:57.263+01:00Now's the time Prashant - you'll be able t...Now's the time Prashant - you'll be able to get plenty of recommendations round the blogosphere.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-46318436720362554012015-05-04T15:47:30.556+01:002015-05-04T15:47:30.556+01:00It's a subject of never-ending fascination to ...It's a subject of never-ending fascination to me - I really don't get why publishers or writers would choose something obscure, especially something that isn't either intriguing or descriptive...Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-24679639349671440552015-05-04T13:10:05.979+01:002015-05-04T13:10:05.979+01:00A perfect choice of book, Moira. And you're ri...A perfect choice of book, Moira. And you're right; it does have a way of drawing you in and building the tension even though you know what's going to happen. What a bold (and successful) strike on Rendell's part to structure the story that way. That's one of those things about her as an author: she was willing to take risks.<br /><br />As to titles... please, please don't get me started...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6129427507761315524.post-65784380007773183242015-05-04T12:44:11.502+01:002015-05-04T12:44:11.502+01:00Sadly, I never read Ruth Rendell during her lifeti...Sadly, I never read Ruth Rendell during her lifetime. Fortunately, an author can be read any time and now would be the right time to read a book or two by Rendell.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.com