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Book Review of Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, Bk 12)

Gaudy Night (Lord Peter Wimsey, Bk 12)
cincinnatiyankee avatar reviewed on + 42 more book reviews


This book is told from the point of view of Harriet Vane, not Peter Wimsey. This change allowed the author to explore the women's academic world of the time. While the book reflects the ideas that intelligent women should be allowed to join their male counterpoints in academia or the career world, the author also reflects on the sadness of forcing girls into these new fields when they don't have the interest or aptitude for them. Using the point of view of Harriet Vane also allowed Sayers to talk about the craft of writing, which I enjoyed.
The first half of the book moved a little slowly for me, although I'll confess that I probably felt that way because I missed Peter Wimsey's presence. During the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down.