The Novels Not Read
by Paula Gail Benson
I grew up in a home where reading was encouraged. No
book was off limits, although some with graphic battle photos were not placed
in my hands. However, they remained on the shelf where I had access, if I
wanted to look. If I had questions, I could ask my parents for an explanation.
book was off limits, although some with graphic battle photos were not placed
in my hands. However, they remained on the shelf where I had access, if I
wanted to look. If I had questions, I could ask my parents for an explanation.
Only twice did I make the decision not to read a book.
The first time, I was in the eighth grade and learned the students in another
class could only read To Kill a
Mockingbird with their parents’ permission. Approval to read a book was a
new concept for me and signaled that there must be reasons why books should not
be read. It gave me the impression that there was something wrong with the novel. For
years, that kept me from reading Harper Lee’s masterpiece. When I finally did
in college, I was upset with myself for having delayed.
The first time, I was in the eighth grade and learned the students in another
class could only read To Kill a
Mockingbird with their parents’ permission. Approval to read a book was a
new concept for me and signaled that there must be reasons why books should not
be read. It gave me the impression that there was something wrong with the novel. For
years, that kept me from reading Harper Lee’s masterpiece. When I finally did
in college, I was upset with myself for having delayed.
The second book I put off reading was M.C. Beaton’s The Quiche of Death. It had been the
selection of a mystery book club prior to my joining. Several members I respected disliked
the novel and made disparaging comments about it, so I decided not to
read it.
selection of a mystery book club prior to my joining. Several members I respected disliked
the novel and made disparaging comments about it, so I decided not to
read it.
Fast forward to the Agatha Raisin series being
produced on Netflix. I was visiting a friend and suggested we give it a try. The
stories completely surprised me. Agatha was an intriguing person, for her flaws
as much as her initiative, and the plots, based on Beaton novels and shorts,
had symmetry and logic.
produced on Netflix. I was visiting a friend and suggested we give it a try. The
stories completely surprised me. Agatha was an intriguing person, for her flaws
as much as her initiative, and the plots, based on Beaton novels and shorts,
had symmetry and logic.
I went to Barnes and Noble and found that The Quiche of Death had been reprinted
to coincide with the program’s debut. It contained a forward by Beaton. Reading
her background intrigued me. Here was a person who persisted to enter the business of writing
and let no obstacle stop her from reaching her goals. She had published 25 Agatha Raisin
books as well as another series about Hamish MacBeth.
to coincide with the program’s debut. It contained a forward by Beaton. Reading
her background intrigued me. Here was a person who persisted to enter the business of writing
and let no obstacle stop her from reaching her goals. She had published 25 Agatha Raisin
books as well as another series about Hamish MacBeth.
The
Quiche of Death was written in the 1990s. It opened with
Agatha’s retirement from a business she built. I was surprised how much of
Agatha’s backstory worked its way into the first chapter and wondered if it
might be rejected if submitted today. However, by the end of the first chapter,
the murder had occurred, and Agatha was poised to solve the mystery.
Quiche of Death was written in the 1990s. It opened with
Agatha’s retirement from a business she built. I was surprised how much of
Agatha’s backstory worked its way into the first chapter and wondered if it
might be rejected if submitted today. However, by the end of the first chapter,
the murder had occurred, and Agatha was poised to solve the mystery.
Now, I’m delighting
in reading the books in this series (as well as The Agatha Raisin Companion) and learning from Beaton’s story
structure and character development. It’s a great way to start the new
year!
good for you! I bogged down when I started Tana French's latest and resorted to googling reviews. One critic noted the plot picks up at page 140. Relieved, I put it back on my TBR pile.
I need to tackle Tana French myself! Thanks for stopping by, Margaret!