One other gaudy night

Dispatches from the world of Wimsey. Side blog of theodoradove.

[beamorgan]

Congrats DLS, that's an objectively insane way to describe your protagonist on the opening page of book 1

[oldshrewsburyian]

I was asking because people always point to the sequence where Jane and Rochester go to town as the nadir of their relationship. I guess because he’s ignoring her protests. So I wanted to get your scholarly thoughts on it.

...I am a scholar, but I'm not a Jane Eyre scholar, and though you say that "people always point" to the London trip as the nadir of the Jane/Rochester relationship (not the scene that Rochester describes as the "mouth of hell"? not the scenes where they are both trembling on the verge of madness and parting? okay) that's not a pattern I've observed.

Anyway. Much as I love Jane (as she deserves) and her Edward (as he does not) I think that it really matters, in this sequence, that Charlotte Brontë is doing things. There is Thematic Narrative Work™ happening. Jane keeps imagining herself as a kept woman, the mistress of the man she describes as her lover and master, a sultan's houri, and -- most tellingly -- "an English Céline Varens." This is not what is happening from Rochester's perspective. He is buying clothes for his wife. And she is resisting what he would lavish on her ("so gloomy to have your bride, however bigamous, insisting on grey alpaca or merino or whatever it was, and damping to a lover's feelings," as Sayers' Dowager Duchess of Denver observes.) But we might also view this as Narrative Foreshadowing™ as, from Jane's perspective and a legal one, marriage is, in fact, not what this is heading towards.

Meanwhile Rochester, in heartbreakingly high spirits, asks her what she will be doing while he -- in her analogy -- is buying up women in Istanbul. She responds coolly that she will become a missionary. More narrative foreshadowing, we might say, as precisely this path will lie open before her! But Rochester's only response is to say that if she feels that way, perhaps she would like some add-ons to the marriage vows, and terms of her own. I think it's insanely hot, parenthetically, to suggest that a woman might set the terms of her own union. Insanely hot. Also really interesting given the narrative position of Bertha. Jane says that she wants an easy mind and mutual regard. And these terms, as we know, she will have when (reader) she finally marries him.

[oldshrewsburyian]

L . A stolen kiss, Lord Peter, please and thank you. Throw in

G. A fistfight, if it amuses you. :-)

Thanks for the prompt! I'm afraid the emphasis got rather out of order, but I hope you enjoy this double drabble.

*

“What is a devastating uppercut, Peter?”

Lord Peter Wimsey paused in the act of lighting his pipe, and after a moment’s stillness, threw his match into the fireplace. “If one may inquire, does your perplexity arise from the degree of devastation, or on the nature of an uppercut?”

“The latter. There’s also,” continued Harriet, slewing around in her chair, “the question of why it always seems to be devastating, in a certain kind of fiction.”

“Into which realms you are now venturing?”

“Experimentally, at least.”

“Hm. Well. I’ll be able to show you better if you stand up. Now: stay where you are for the minute. You are the intrepid hero, and I the slogging ruffian.”

“I shall exercise my powers of imagination,” said Harriet gravely.

“Thank you. I approach you with felonious intent. I land — for the sake of argument — a blow to your ribs and, pressing my advantage, get within your guard. Then the uppercut.” A sudden and rapid movement brought his lordship’s left fist almost level with his wife’s jaw. “With a bit of luck, the laws of physics and the element of surprise combine to make it devastating.”

“How nice,” said his wife; and kissed him.

[hailingsweetpotatoes]

If I had a nickel for every time Dorothy Sayers wrote a book where a woman who owns a sweet shop is on a jury, I'd only have 10 cents, but it's still weird that it happened twice.

[hailingsweetpotatoes]

If I had a nickel for every time Dorothy Sayers wrote a book where a queer-coded woman is surprised that Peter doesn't take sugar in his coffee, I'd only have 10 cents, but it's still weird that it happened twice.

[talkingpiffle]

The choristers had sung their hymn. the sun had risen, rather red and angry, casting a faint flush over the roofs and spires of the waking city. Harriet leaned over the parapet, looking down upon the heart-breaking beauty of the curved High Street, scarcely disturbed as yet by the roar of petrol-driven traffic. Under her feet, the tower began to swing to the swinging of the bells. The little group of bicyclists and pedestrians far below began to break up and move away.

[talkingpiffle]

–Dorothy L. Sayers, Gaudy Night, Chapter XI, 1936.

Video: “Oxford: ‘Ye Merrie Monthe of Maye’ – Centuries’-old custom of ushering in May-day at dawn, with old English songs & dances, filmed for first time” (British Pathé, 1931). Oxford May Morning celebrations begin at 6 a.m. with the choristers of Magdalen College singing Hymnus Eucharisticus, composed by Benjamin Rogers in the 17th century and sung every year since, from the top of Magdalen Tower. The singing is followed by change-ringing on the tower’s bells. (x)

[cryptotheism]

Said with an incredibly condescending sneer: "Whimsyless."

[sapphireswimming]

(via @rexbasileus) #me when people havent read dorothy l. sayers' quintessential detective novel series

[milquetoast27]

Parker, Bunter and Wimsey feel very different to the duos I've been reading up to this point!

Holmes and Watson, Raffles and Bunny, Jeeves and Bertie all exist with an invisible barrier between them. Holmes can't express his emotions openly (or at least greatly struggles), Raffles can't either; opting to be weird and pull Bunny in on things without saying why. Between Bertie and Jeeves at least some professionalism is required to be upheld.

But not Wimsey and Parker lmao. I just finished Clouds of Witness and those guys will literally get wasted on Westminster Bridge at 5am. Bunter follows happily with Wimsey's investigations and will sob for him when he almost got eaten by a bog lmao. Wimsey tells Parker funny stories and brain teasers just to see him puzzled or laughing. They are too cute :3

These stories get heavy and serious at times, and I find this more than a welcome relief to those times. I LOVE THEM, SAYERS!! THANK YOU

[taciturn-nerd]

Northanger Abbey Reference!

Lord Peter stopped to say something expressive and to caress his leg softly with the palm of his hand. Then a thought struck him. He set down his towels, soap, sponge, loofah, bath-brush, and other belongings, and quietly lifted the lid of the chest. Whether, like the heroine of Northanger Abbey, he expected to find anything gruesome inside was not apparent. It is certain that, like her, he beheld nothing more startling than certain sheets and counterpanes neatly folded at the bottom. Unsatisfied, he lifted the top one of these gingerly and inspected it for a few moments in the light of the staircase window. He was just returning it to its place, whistling softly the while, when a little hiss of indrawn breath caused him to look up with a start.

[inonesingleline]

If it’s murder, I want to be in on it.

[hailingsweetpotatoes]

Reused Names in the Works of Dorothy L. Sayers

I have finally decided that my list of Every Time Dorothy Sayers Noticeably Reused a Character Name is complete, which means I can share it on Tumblr and someone will probably immediately point out something I missed. Please do so.

Listed roughly in order of egregiousness, which is a matter of opinion (mine).

Haviland / Martin:

Have His Carcase – Haviland Martin, the mysterious camper

“The Undignified Melodrama of the Bone of Contention” (Lord Peter Views the Body) – brothers Haviland and Martin Burdock 

Note: Both stories involve Wimsey riding a horse who refuses to approach the site of a murder, which Sayers directly references by having Wimsey recall the events of ‘Bone of Contention’ in Have His Carcase. 

Mrs. Munns:

Whose Body – Parker's landlady 

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club – George and Sheila's landlady

Mr. Harcourt:

“Absolutely Elsewhere” (In the Teeth of the Evidence) – Mr. Harcourt Grimbold, nephew of the victim (called Mr. Harcourt to distinguish between his brother, Mr. Neville, and his uncle, Mr. Grimbold)

"A Shot at Goal" (ItTotE) – Mr. Harcourt is the bank manager in this Monty Egg story which immediately follows “Absolutely Elsewhere” in ItTofE. 

Jukes:

Gaudy Night – former porter at Shrewsbury

“The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba” (LPVtB)– Mr., brings "Rogers" into the gang

“Sleuths on the Scent” (Hangman’s Holiday) – Sgt., officer in charge of case (Monty Egg story)

Twitteron/Titterton/Twittleton:

Busman's Honeymoon – Miss Agnes Twitterton, niece of the victim

“The Unsolved Puzzle of the Man with No Face” (LPVtB) – Miss Gladys Twitterton notifies Sally Hardy's paper about the painting of the victim

Note: This story is notable for having a record number of similarities to other books.

Strong Poison – Miss “Titterton” is a guest for Christmas at Denver 

"A Shot at Goal" (ItTotE) – Monty Egg story set in village of Twittleton

Gotobed:

Unnatural Death – Bertha and Evelyn, a sister duo of housemaids-cum-waitresses 

The Nine Tailors – Harry and Dick, a father and son duo of gravediggers

Vavasour:

Murder Must Advertise – Ethel, Tallboy's mistress

Have His Carcase – Maurice, the man who acquired Olga's photograph from the theatrical agent

Merridew:

“Bone of Contention" (LPVtB) – the kennel keeper who first sees the coach

“The Cyprian Cat” (ItTotE) – the narrator's friend and husband to the mysterious lady

Mrs. Wilbraham:

The Nine Tailors – The rich aunt of the Thorpes

"The Milk-Bottles" – (ItTotE), Mr. and Mrs. are the mystery couple (Hector Puncheon short story)

Cranton:

Have His Carcase – Colonel, whose tennis party Mrs. Morecambe is on her way to when she picks up Weldon

The Nine Tailors – Nobby, gentleman thief

Pomfret:

“The Queen's Square” (Hangman’s Holiday) – Giles, party guest

Gaudy Night – Reggie, aka Mr. Jones of Jesus

Potts:

Murder Must Advertise – Joe, aka Ginger

Have His Carcase – Mr Sullivan jokes that "Maurice Vavasour" is probably really named “Potts or Spink”

“Blood Sacrifice” (ItTotE) – The actor Garrick Drury’s given name is revealed to be “Obadiah Potts”

“Striding Folly” (ditto) – Innkeeper 

Challoner:

The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club – “Tin-Tummy,” an old army pal of Wimsey's

Strong Poison – Mr., Harriet's agent (mentioned as having given evidence)

Mrs. Wrayburn:

Strong Poison – Rosanna, a.k.a. Cremorna Gardens

“The Queen's Square” (Hangman’s Holiday) – Lady Hermione's niece

Perkins:

Have His Carcase – Mr., hiker

Busman's Honeymoon – Mr., coroner 

The Nine Tailors – Nathaniel, notable local mentioned by the vicar (refereed for the great Tom Sayers [no relation])

Thorpe:

Clouds of Witness – Dr., who attends to Mary

The Nine Tailors – Sir Henry, unnamed wife, daughter Hillary

Milligan:

Whose Body – Mr., American businessman suspected by Peter

Murder Must Advertise – Major, drug dealer suspected by Peter

Al(l)cock:

Five Red Herrings – one L, Mr. Gowan’s butler

Unnatural Death – two L’s, Whitaker cousin next in line to inherit

Pollock:

Have His Carcase – Esdras, fisherman

Busman's Honeymoon – Ted, member of the jury

I’m certain there’s a third, possibly a different spelling, but I haven’t been able to lay my finger on it

Baines:

The Nine Tailors – local doctor

Have His Carcase – rival fishing family 

Freemantle:

Whose Body – Mrs., a guest at Lady Swaffham's lunch

*Gaudy Night – Catherine, former student at the Gaudy who hates the Welsh (maiden name)

Cobbleigh/Cobbley/Cobling:

The Nine Tailors – Arthur Cobbleigh, murdered soldier

Have His Carcase – Tom Cobbley, inquest jury member who thinks it was bolsheviks 

Unnatural Death – Ben Cobling, old groom of Miss Dawson and the late Miss Whitaker

Grimbold:

Whose Body – Dr., police surgeon

“Absolutely Elsewhere” (ItTotE) – Mr., victim (plus his two nephews, suspects)

Stokes:

Gaudy Night – Mary, old school friend who invites Harriet to the gaudy

Have His Carcase – Colonel Belfridge asks Peter if he recalls a military acquaintance of that name 

Pritchard:

Bellona – Mr., Anne Dorland's lawyer

Have His Carcase – Mr., one of Endicott's former customers

Unnatural Death – Dr., real case mentioned at the beginning 

Horrocks:

Whose Body – Gladys, maid at the Thipps'

Have His Carcase – secretary to Mr Sullivan 

Simpson:

Have His Carcase – Bill/William, another name of “Mr. Bright”

Gaudy Night – Mr., a contact in the hunt for Arthur Robinson 

Simon:

Unnatural Death – Simon Dawson is a mysterious family member who went out to the Indies and was never more heard from (until it was revealed that he became a privateer).

Busman’s Honeymoon – Simon Wimsey is a mysterious family member who went out to the Indies and was never more heard from (except that the family historian suspects he may have turned pirate).

MacPherson, Ferguson, and Strachan:

“The Piscatorial Affair of the Stolen Stomach” and *Five Red Herrings *share these names, as well as references to Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse.

If you're enough of a hardcore Peterite to read this list to the end and would like to see my WIP lists of every reference/quotation Peter uses more than once and every time Sayers reuses a noticeable story element, feel free to let me know.

[taciturn-nerd]

I love Lord Peter Wimsey. He collects first editions. He's a foodie. He literally waxes poetic all the time. He has PTSD from the war. He loves solving mysterious crimes. But he's never doing it alone. His valet Bunter is Proper with a capital P and can sleuth out the tea from fellow service-workers over tea. His mom, the Dowager Duchess, is always down to help him out. You said she's doing a fundraiser in order to get info from a suspect? Sure she'll play along. Officer Parker does so much of the legwork and major props to Lord Peter's "Cattery" aka his army of widows and spinsters who infiltrate companies and towns and get the intel he needs.

[talkingpiffle]

“I take it, Harriet, that you have no new answer to give me?” “No, Peter. I’m sorry, but I can’t say anything else.” “All right. Don’t worry. I’ll try not to be a nuisance. But if you could put up with me occasionally, as you have done tonight, I should be very grateful to you.” “I don’t think that would be at all fair to you.” “If that’s the only reason, I am the best judge of that.” Then, with a return of his habitual self-mockery: “Old habits die hard. I will not promise to reform altogether. I shall, with your permission, continue to propose to you, at decently regulated intervals—as a birthday treat, and on Guy Fawkes Day and on the Anniversary of the King’s Accession. But consider it, if you will, as a pure formality. You need not pay the smallest attention to it.” “Peter, it’s foolish to go on like this.” “And, of course, on the Feast of All Fools.” “It would be better to forget all about it—I hoped you had.” “I have the most ill-regulated memory. It does those things which it ought not to do and leaves undone the things it ought to have done. But it has not yet gone on strike altogether.”

–Dorothy L. Sayers, Gaudy Night, Chapter IV, 1936.

[talkingpiffle]

“One First of April, the question had arrived from Paris in a single Latin sentence, starting off dispiritedly. “Num…?”- a particular which notoriously “expects the answer No.” Harriet, rummaging the Grammar book for “polite negatives,” replied, still more briefly, “Benigne.””

— -Gaudy Night, Dorothy L Sayers (via summersanginme)

[pricklysplendours]

OH

[sapphireswimming]

If you ever feel like you’ve had an unproductive day writing, please know that one time novelist/playwright/essayist Dorothy L Sayers wrote a letter to Bun (her literary agent) that said “herewith the striking results of today’s literary labours” followed by two pages of rabbit sketches.

[sapphireswimming]

(via @smokeandsong) #the question is are they out there somewhere and can i get one tattooed

I am fairly certain that this letter was never published (alas!) but if you are ever able to make your way to @thewadecenter in the American Midwest, you can see the originals!

I can’t photograph or scan the pages without getting in trouble with copyright and security and stuff, but herewith my meticulously accurate (if rearranged) sketches (real size to a 9x11 sheet of paper):

[vinceaddams]

With all the countless videos out there on cooking foods from fiction and from history how are there NONE on the jam-filled sweet omelette from Strong Poison???

[sonictoaster]

Gaudy Night by Jeremy May

Ring made from the pages of Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers, created by laminating hundreds sheets of paper together, then carefully finishing to a high gloss.