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[rhu]

Over the weekend I read the original play of Busman's Honeymoon (thanks, Newton library!) It was fascinating to compare it to the very familiar novel. The play, of course, is a lot more compact; it illuminated the novel in a few spots. Sometimes that was by a stage direction that explained why, from the mechanics of the things, something had to happen a particular way --- or a stage direction that explained an actor's motivation in a way that didn't survive the translation into prose. Sometimes that was by having a scene pared down to what Sayers considered the essence, and it wasn't what I would have chosen if I'd been given the task of adapting the novel.

I also understand the structure of the narrative a lot better by reading her introductory note, which explains what she was trying to accomplish by writing this in the first place. The afternote, explaining the mechanism by which the stage illusion of the denouement can be implemented safely, was also fascinating.

Recommended for all Sayers fans. The rest of you, go read the Wimsey novels, become Sayers fans, read the novel of Busman's Honeymoon a dozen times until you can recite passages by heart, and then read the play.

Comments

[desireearmfeldt]

Ooh, I should do that.... :)

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

There's a PLAY?!?!?!

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

It's in a double volume along with "Love All" which I didn't bother to read. I mention it only because "Love All", which appears second in the book, appears first in the title and thus is what you should search on in the Minuteman catalog.

[autotruezone.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to read the Wimsey books, ever since hearing some of them dramatized on NPR Playhouse in the 80's. Maybe I'll get to it. Hmm. Gutenberg doesn't seem to have anything. Stupid Sonny Bono law.

[introverte.livejournal.com]

The play actually came first, and then she wrote the novel. Andrew's right, it was a fascinating comparison.

[introverte.livejournal.com]

The one warning I have is that Sayers' work has a few instances of casual anti-semitism, or perhaps that's too strong, of semitic characterizations that I personally find uncomfortable. I am able to accept this as a product of the time period that I don't like but don't need to dwell on, but YMMV.

[desireearmfeldt]

Fortunately, it's only a couple of the books (IIRC) that have that. :/

[desireearmfeldt]

Hm... justom would be something of a typecast for Wimsy, now wouldn't he? :)

[chanaleh.livejournal.com]

Oh great. Now I am stuck between "bemused" and "blushing". :-}

[desireearmfeldt]

:>