It looks like I've been deep in detective fiction this fall/winter. Indeed--that is the case. Shortly before I fell into Louise Penny's work I discovered that of Jo Nesbo. Nesbo is a Norwegian author. In the past I have read Stieg Larsson's books (Swedish). It appears that Scandinavian detectives/editors are generally pretty miserable. Harry Hole is a rather desperate alcoholic who is however, a loving brother to his sister with Down Syndrome. He also cares deeply for his father, but has some difficulty with that relationship.
Through all his drinking and drug binges Harry manages to solve terrible crimes. Unfortunately, in most cases he leaves a trail of destruction on his way to the solution. The plots are well crafted and move forward with a sense of urgency. They are not, however, for the faint-hearted. There is graphic violence and some relatively explicit sexual scenes.
Hole solves murders through inspiration. It can be hard to follow the clues that get him to the solution. Sometimes it is as if his drinking and drugging are necessary to put him into a state that allows the subconscious to work.
Although Hole is not a character that you will like, he is fascinating. I will finish the series and also pick up his children's books, the Doctor Proctor series.
Reading these alternately with Louise Penny's books has been quite a study in contrasts. The Nesbo's rough, grimy tales alternately with Penny's comparatively gentle, refined works have perhaps counterbalanced each other.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny
Everyone once and a while I run across a new-to-me author who has a substantial body of work. That means I start at the beginning and read! (And why I can be quiet for so long on this blog.) I picked up Louise Penny's books because of coverage on NPR. I'm delighted I did.
Penny's detective novels are richly written. In each she brings in themes connecting to art, history, literature, and nature. The solutions to the mysteries typically are nuanced and subtle portraits of communities, families, and minor psychological problems. She does not typically include "mass-murderer" psychopaths as the antagonist. Instead, they are the flawed human beings we run across in our lives who have just gone a step further than do most.
Gamache himself is a fascinating character. He is physically imposing, loving toward his wife and family, but with some weaknesses and flaws that make him believable and admirable. The approaches he uses to solving the murders are patient, methodical, and thoughtful. Penny also uses a device in which the characters discover something, but she does not reveal the discovery until later in the book.
I have not visited Quebec, the settings of her novels, but will as soon as life permits. In fact, I believe my first retirement trip will be to Quebec with books in hand. Of course I will plan the trip for fall so that I may continue southward through the fall colors in New England and to Boston to visit Reverend, Doctor Nancy Taylor at Boston's Old South Church.
Penny's detective novels are richly written. In each she brings in themes connecting to art, history, literature, and nature. The solutions to the mysteries typically are nuanced and subtle portraits of communities, families, and minor psychological problems. She does not typically include "mass-murderer" psychopaths as the antagonist. Instead, they are the flawed human beings we run across in our lives who have just gone a step further than do most.
Gamache himself is a fascinating character. He is physically imposing, loving toward his wife and family, but with some weaknesses and flaws that make him believable and admirable. The approaches he uses to solving the murders are patient, methodical, and thoughtful. Penny also uses a device in which the characters discover something, but she does not reveal the discovery until later in the book.
I have not visited Quebec, the settings of her novels, but will as soon as life permits. In fact, I believe my first retirement trip will be to Quebec with books in hand. Of course I will plan the trip for fall so that I may continue southward through the fall colors in New England and to Boston to visit Reverend, Doctor Nancy Taylor at Boston's Old South Church.
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