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Title: A Sleeping Life by RUTH RENDELL ISBN: 0-375-70493-0 Publisher: Vintage Books Pub. Date: 11 July, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.5 (6 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A Humerous Wexford Mystery
Comment: Although first published in 1964 this book is still completely readable today. A Sleeping Life is an Inspector Wexford mystery which deals with the investigation into the stabbing of a middle-aged woman whilst visiting her ill relative in Kingsmarkham. Although he knows her name, the womans life away from Kingsmarkham remains a mystery which haunts Wexford. There are many twists and turns as Wexford comes nearer to discovering what drove the woman to hide the truth about herself. The conclusion, while perhaps not as shocking today as it was then, is nicely done.
As usual Rendell has created a diverse range of interesting, and in some cases psychologically-flawed, characters. The scenes I enjoyed most were those with Sylvia, Wexford's daughter. She has left her husband after becoming interested in Woman's Lib, and has moved back in with her parents, Wexford and Dora. I was particularly amused by a piece of dialogue where Sylvia cries:
"By God, my life is more his than it is mine!"
(Referring to her husband, Neil). It really does point out how gender roles in the past have stiffled women - thank goodness that times have changed! However, I liked the way that Rendell also gave Neil's point of view about his wife's views so it wasn't one sided.
Overall A Sleeping Life is great. There are plenty of opportunities for Wexford to use his dry, clever wit. The plot is solid and there is a good twist at the end. The sub-plot is entertaining and the characters are unusual.
JoAnne
Rating: 2
Summary: Disappointing Effort
Comment: I'm in the midst of reading back Ruth Rendell novels because I love mysteries and I've just discovered her and loved the first one I read. I have to confess here though that even though I always appreciate her writing, humor, and her Wexford character, this story was just bottom of the barrel. Fortunately, it's more of a novella and wasted no more than 3 hours of my time. The plot follows the investigation of a woman found murdered in her home town while back visiting her sick father. Wexford knows the woman's identity but can not find a trace of her life in London where she has resided for over twenty years. Admittedly, part of the problem with this book is that it writes very dated views on men's and women's roles despite being written in the late 70's. The more important problem is that the solution to the 'mystery' is so clear so early in the novella that it's a struggle to turn the pages and watch for the 'experts' catch up. I still like Ruth Rendell the writer... but this story should have stayed asleep.
Rating: 2
Summary: Shouldn't a mystery mystify?
Comment: I don't know about you, but a mystery is supposed to mystify. Part of the fun is not knowing "Whodunit" until close to the end of the story (the closer, the better).
In my opinion, if the writer can't prevent us from guessing who the guilty one is until close to the end, then he/she has failed in the foremost goal of a mystery novelist.
In this novel, I figured out the "key" to the story (and therefore whodunit) less than half-way through. Since I wanted to be surprised--fooled even--I kept hoping I was wrong.
I wasn't.
If this is a typical Rendell, I may not read any of her others.
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Title: Shake Hands Forever by Ruth Rendell ISBN: 0375704957 Publisher: Random House~trade Pub. Date: July, 2000 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: Some Lie and Some Die (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) by Ruth Rendell ISBN: 0375704906 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 May, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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Title: No More Dying Then! (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) by Ruth Rendell ISBN: 0375704892 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 May, 1999 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Wolf to the Slaughter by Ruth Rendell ISBN: 0345345207 Publisher: Fawcett Books Pub. Date: 01 April, 1989 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: Murder Being Once Done (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) by RUTH RENDELL ISBN: 0375704884 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 30 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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