tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post7025873054489699422..comments2024-02-10T19:58:20.327+00:00Comments on Stuck in a Book: Agatha vs. DorothyStuckInABookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10017836017530130716noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-88314810342465784462014-12-09T16:48:43.355+00:002014-12-09T16:48:43.355+00:00Dame Agatha is the best. She's so much fun!Dame Agatha is the best. She's so much fun!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-50661881772797199572014-11-28T21:23:39.908+00:002014-11-28T21:23:39.908+00:00agatha Christie is the greatest. Clever plots, in...agatha Christie is the greatest. Clever plots, interesting characters, amusing dialogue. sayers is very ponderous by comparison.louiseculmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02092144618449134125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-64417985776975696942014-05-28T07:32:02.224+01:002014-05-28T07:32:02.224+01:00though its unfair that i am commenting here withou...though its unfair that i am commenting here without having read any of DLS books, I will still root for Agatha. For those who are complaining here about her i would recommend them "Towards Zero" or "Endless Night" and would like to hear what they think.:)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01512260080576404920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-50410072422773885322013-12-27T10:31:17.378+00:002013-12-27T10:31:17.378+00:00I like the stories of Christie - if they are made ...I like the stories of Christie - if they are made into good films.<br />The problem with her books is that she builds a realistic background and context and then adds a completely unbelievable plot.<br />At least Dorothy Sayers - and A.C Doyle never really play for realism. You know where you are from the very beginning. Lord Peter could be Algy's brother in Wilde's famous play....Therefore I opt for Sayers - as she is more consistent as a writerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-27898263180382063312013-03-19T04:49:56.635+00:002013-03-19T04:49:56.635+00:00Raising my hand for Agatha Christie!!
"But w...Raising my hand for Agatha Christie!!<br /><br />"But when it comes to plotting out a mystery, with clues and twists and denouement, Christie is more or less a genius, and Sayers is utterly hopeless. "<br /><br />My sentiments exactly. I read Crime Fiction to savor the taste of plotting, garnished with a delicious twist ts the end. And, in that respect no one comes even close to Agatha Christie.My point is, if I want to read about detailed characterizations and psychology laced with intricate details of the surroundings and how they had an impact on the plot, I would not go for crime fiction at all!!!!!! In crime stories I search for plots and twists, which Christie gave me in abundance, far more than Sayers ever hoped to give!! <br /><br />Come to that this should have been a comparison between Ngaio Marsh and Agatha Christie. When it comes to plotting, Marsh was leagues ahead of Sayers. And, Alleyn was far better than Wimsey.<br /><br />And PD James defending Christie almost sounds like a chalk trying to mix with cheese. PD James all through her life, in numerous essays, had clearly pointed out that she always rated Sayers above Christie. SO, having her defend Christie was a joke!!!<br />crimeonthrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04653388646858048525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-42737811556254544202013-01-31T10:54:59.201+00:002013-01-31T10:54:59.201+00:00What other writer of mysteries has the character d...What other writer of mysteries has the character development over time? Poirot doesn't change. One rereads about the life of Lord Peter Wimsey. And in mysteries, what other author has such a romance, and one that lasts into marriage?<br /><br />All that opined, a good author is one who get read of one's own free will, and maybe reread.<br /><br />Tastes differ, and one can like both.<br /><br />P.S. Dorothy Sayers.<br /><br />P.P.S. Two books is more than enough to determine liking. I doubt it's enough to determine comparative mastery of the craft.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-65058392228797445992011-04-17T16:40:59.399+01:002011-04-17T16:40:59.399+01:00A vote for Dorothy
No ContestA vote for Dorothy<br />No ContestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-18737683082168527942011-04-16T20:23:38.661+01:002011-04-16T20:23:38.661+01:00Without a doubt, Agatha ChristieWithout a doubt, Agatha ChristieMiriamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00315423519079842686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-48357496939690927632011-04-16T19:54:57.580+01:002011-04-16T19:54:57.580+01:00Well, I made a 'comment' (raised a questio...Well, I made a 'comment' (raised a question, actually) but didn't raise my hand either way. It's hard to say about the reading of either of these, so I'll make my choice based on viewing televised versions - and, it's Christie for me.Nancy BTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-72181889558526670922011-04-16T19:23:56.929+01:002011-04-16T19:23:56.929+01:00I'll have to add a vote for Agatha. I did read...I'll have to add a vote for Agatha. I did read some Sayers last year and started to like her, but not enough to be fully hooked. (Also, I'm really picky about how mystery novels reveal the murderer, does it really seem plausible for the character, etc and I have to say, Sayers was a little weak there.)<br /><br />Whereas I obsessively read many Christies in my teens and picked a few of them up more recently and still enjoyed them. Her endings are always satisfying and feel right, unlike many other mysteries I've read. Miss Marple is adorable, like an old Lizzy Bennet who loves to watch and analyze everyone for her own amusement. My favourite of hers is Sad Cypress and for the characters too!Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11538459607519844826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-53881831109077653632011-04-16T15:58:18.564+01:002011-04-16T15:58:18.564+01:00Hands up for Sophie! You win the award for most im...Hands up for Sophie! You win the award for most impassioned, hilarious comment ever. What a great writer...you made my day.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155269771812977294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-53680045071641626032011-04-16T00:18:42.111+01:002011-04-16T00:18:42.111+01:00Oh I enjoy reading them both. Agatha's were t...Oh I enjoy reading them both. Agatha's were the first adult books I read - & I've re-read them more than once in the many years since then. The first Dorothy book I read was Busman's Honeymoon - I felt it was the first love story I'd read & I fell in love with Lord Peter then & have stayed faithful. I think I have all DLS's crime novels & my vote has to go to her, but it is a hard choice. Incidentally I have enjoyed the Jill Paton-Walsh contributions.Gillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-38665274549806463422011-04-14T23:08:23.433+01:002011-04-14T23:08:23.433+01:00I haven't read any Sayers but am going to ay A...I haven't read any Sayers but am going to ay Agatha anyway! Shocking!<br /><br />I love Agatha and think its sad how underrated some people have made her out to be, her plotting (and I think her short stories show this marvellously as she can do masses with very little) is second to none.Simon (Savidge Reads)http://savidgereads.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-22201307461084607202011-04-14T13:10:35.508+01:002011-04-14T13:10:35.508+01:00Both hands are up - one each. I adore Peter Wimse...Both hands are up - one each. I adore Peter Wimsey and came to him late so it is not a teenage thing, but I love Dame A and always will because I think she is quite quite brilliant. Her plotting is superb but DL Sayer's characterisation is better but I think they are both incomparable.<br /><br />My favourite Doroth is Gaudy Night and my favourite Agata is Five Little Pigs which I think is her bestElainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17739410242766153431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-20868206081558080922011-04-14T10:48:58.342+01:002011-04-14T10:48:58.342+01:00Agatha every time. Fond of Dorothy, but she is so...Agatha every time. Fond of Dorothy, but she is sometimes a bit precious and her plotting is not as good. And yes, I too liked Harriet Vane, but rereading Dorothy now is an effort.. Say what you will, Agatha is tops for readability, plotting and sheer fun.suehttp://vjabs@internode.net.onnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-4316673115384462402011-04-14T01:26:40.853+01:002011-04-14T01:26:40.853+01:00I have to agree with Rosie H that Peter isn't ...I have to agree with Rosie H that Peter isn't snobbish at all - in part I think because his insatiable curiosity brings him into contact with all sorts of people. Contrast him, for example, with Helen Denver, a textbook snob - who can barely bring herself to attend his wedding and who patronizes Harriet (only a country doctor's daughter, you know). Peter encourages Charles Parker's suit, after all! Lyn recommended Innes and Crispin - I have an Innes omnibus in the TBP pile, but will now have to look for Crispin - thanks! Also, Simon, have you met the Dowager Duchess? Her hilarious diary in Busman's Honeymoon clearly owes something to the Diary of a Provincial Lady!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17782561487396697870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-27670881390925356332011-04-14T00:36:40.722+01:002011-04-14T00:36:40.722+01:00BOTH hands up for Sayers here! Christie just can&#...BOTH hands up for Sayers here! Christie just can't compare; her books are light, enjoyable reads, but I rarely go back to them. There's so much more depth to Sayers. She creates characters I care passionately about, because they care passionately about what matters to them. (Incidentally, I don't find Lord Peter snobbish; he is a product of his time and society, of course, but gets on with people of all backgrounds and has little time for snobs.) She could do the straight whodunnit (see <i>Five Red Herrings</i>), but generally chose to write howdunnit and/or whydunnit books as being more interesting and less formulaic.<br /><br />Are you familiar with any of her theological work or religious dramas, Simon? I can highly recommend <i>The Man Born to be King</i>, her cycle of radio plays on the life of Christ. Some of it, especially her notes on the characters, is dated and in places frankly offensive, but I find the plays really bring the gospel to life.Rosie Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-54083258495073325382011-04-13T23:35:01.583+01:002011-04-13T23:35:01.583+01:00I fell in love with Sayers when i was about 13 and...I fell in love with Sayers when i was about 13 and thought Peter and Harriet were wonderful. I didn't take to the other books as much with the exception of 'The Documents in the Case' but Christie is probably more relaible, and of course much more prolific - but it has to be Dorothy just because Harriet is such a good character...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16462516965218548374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-33913939020730660422011-04-13T21:14:18.729+01:002011-04-13T21:14:18.729+01:00AH, each has her own strengths. But at a push, han...AH, each has her own strengths. But at a push, hands up for dear Agatha.Monicahttp://inknchai.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-10450643034272447412011-04-13T20:27:10.923+01:002011-04-13T20:27:10.923+01:00Christie plots kept me up all night when I was abo...Christie plots kept me up all night when I was about ten, and I vividly remember the horror of Endless Night, Towards Zero and The Hollow, which were particularly chilling. But specific snatches of DLS' prose have made their home inside my head, and her Oxford has something in common with my Oxford; and so she gets my vote.<br /><br />(I agree the JP-W continuations aren't brilliant, and in fact I think I could identify which bits are 'original' and which are new; that would be a fun game.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-84786860069515056232011-04-13T18:56:13.361+01:002011-04-13T18:56:13.361+01:00Well, I've only read part of one DLS (The Nine...Well, I've only read part of one DLS (The Nine Tailors, many years ago, which I found dull enough to stop reading), whereas I've read the vast majority of Christie. I agree that her characters can be rather cliched - retired Majors abound - but that rather misses the point, I think. The excellent and imaginative plots, rarely repeating an idea and continually leaving you guessing, are wonderful. And Poirot is such a fine character that he makes up for a lack of depth elsewhere.Colinhttp://www.colinjthomas.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-35770589087604997002011-04-13T17:00:50.015+01:002011-04-13T17:00:50.015+01:00I just finished reading a Christie novel last nigh...I just finished reading a Christie novel last night--she is my go-to comfort reading. One of the first grown-up authors I ever read, and still a great favorite. I like the Nine Tailors and the Harriet Vane novels, but apart from those, Sayers does not enthrall me the way Dame Agatha does.Mistress Cynicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17092282847923200282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-13136293561468808722011-04-13T16:15:44.680+01:002011-04-13T16:15:44.680+01:00I was SO tempted to go to this event because I lov...I was SO tempted to go to this event because I love P.D. James and she was discussing my two most favourite crime writers. Choosing between the two is so difficult. But if I had to make a choice, I'd say Christie is my childhood sweetheart and Sayers my teenage fling. I love Christie for her incredible plotting and I agree that there is still no one better than her, but character-wise I'd have to pick Sayers. As much as I love Christie (and I have read all her mysteries), I think Harriet Vane tips the scales for me and I'd have to choose Sayers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-5944764105974614302011-04-13T15:27:30.201+01:002011-04-13T15:27:30.201+01:00But I must add, Simon, I wish I could have gone wi...But I must add, Simon, I wish I could have gone with you to the event.Susan Dhttp://www.destevenson.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-446727280609751914.post-65126331158478581442011-04-13T15:26:18.615+01:002011-04-13T15:26:18.615+01:00Oh for heaven's sake! Christie or Sayers? Th...Oh for heaven's sake! Christie or Sayers? That's like having to choose between sex and chocolate, when clearly both are excellent. Why choose?Susan Dhttp://www.destevenson.orgnoreply@blogger.com