h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Wildman

I've been reading the Peter Wimsey novels again and again since I was fifteen (a very long time ago). Recently 'Murder Must Advertise' for the XXth time.

Detective stories, crime novels or whatever they are called in English is my 'main course' in litterature and I've been fidgeting to write about why.

Main guidelines are:

A (perhaps) trustwothy description of characters, environments and historical/political periodes (also the up-to-date novels).

Moral and ethics - the nescessity of the battle between the good and the bad (like in fairy-tales or fables).

Knowledge and 'wisdom'. I find that most crime novelists are very good researchers and explainers (sorry I couldn't find a better word off hand) - so now I know a bit about bell-ringing, photography and loads of other topics. The authors often put their own wise words or other peoples wise words in the mouths or thoughts of their characters or quotations from great books, poetry etc. - some makes you ponder.

Languages: The best of the crime fiction novelists are good writers indeed. Innovates language and imagery. At the moment I'm back to Raymond Chandler.

I can only read in English and then Danish translations (I suppose I *could* make an effort with Swedish, Novergian and German, come to think about it. In French and Italian I would miss out on a whole lot) - but still: If the translator is a good writer him/herself the tone and the intentions of how the original writer use the language is kept as well as is possible.

Well, I might get around to write it some day - in Danish. And then I might translate it.

I will follow how this entry developes and maybe drop a few opinios and suggestions.

My page on this site is not very informative - I've been too busy reading and posting.

I'm a Danish journalist.

Tartaronne,

I'm sorry I haven't replied sooner, but I didn't seem to be subscribed to this convo and I haven't done anything here for a while as my computer was out of action for a few days.

I've been a reader of detective fiction for many years myself, I think I probably started with the Sherlock Holmes stories - or it may have been Agatha Christie (it was so long ago that I can't really remember).

What I do know for sure is that I got into the Wimsy stories after 'The Nine Tailors' was set as required reading at school (one of the few good choices they made ). I too, re-read the novels quite often, my favourite changing frequently - depending upon the mood I happen to be in at the time.

Wildman

Tartaronne,

Hi again, You've probably forgotten all about this as I've been really lazy (and kind of busy elsewhere), but I've recently been re-inspired by going through some of the Wimsey stories again.

Anyway, what I was hoping was that, if you have a spare minute or two, you could have a look and see what you think of how the article is shaping up. I think it's almost ready for Peer Review, but I would appreciate some feed-back from another Wimsey fan in case I've missed something (or made a complete b**ls up, as is quite possible), don't be afraid of criticising it - I've got broad shoulders!

Wildman

Hi Wildman

Forgotten and forgotten....

I post once in a while as my whimsy takes me - always sure that one day soon I will look through all my conversations and get myself and everybody else a jour.

I have, like you, been busy - and two days ago I should have finished my chapters for a book for education which I'm co-writing with two other journalists.

So for the next couple of days I have to give it the last shot.

And then I will have time to read and comment your entry. I'm looking forward to it.

Happy Easter - when you get that far

Just for information - I've done a bit more polishing on the article and put it into Peer Review.

I still want to read - and comment..