A good read and a good listen

I am always a bit nervous of reading a follow-on to a classic series written by another author. There certainly were odd moments when the story jarred, but mostly it was good. The performance wasn't perfect - the characterisation and accents were a bit uneven - but that is perhaps the most difficult aspect of recording an audio-book and I wouldn't want to make an issue of it. (Years ago I recorded several books for my mother, who was blind, and I didn't even try to adopt accents - I knew my limitations.)
So, read the novel, listen to the audio version, and I think you'll enjoy it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Pitch perfect.

You always fear that an author 'after' the style of a such a strong stylist as Sayers will grate at least a few times but really this didn't happen for me at all. A great plot, characters that have matured but not altered, themes that are so familiar it's like wearing an old but faithful winter coat.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not as good as the two earlier stories in the series

This is the book that I really could not get into. I recognized the characters but it just didn't ring true. For someone who has read and listened to all Of Dorothy L Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey's books, it was still difficult to follow the character's development or to relate to the plot. It's a pity because I enjoyed the earlier two books that this author had written. So I guess two out of three is not bad for Ms Patten.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Didn't disappoint

I was a bit wary that this would be major let down by both the author (not DL Sayers) and the narrator (not Ian Carmichael) but I was very pleasantly surprised. Great plot, major characters well written and true to their creator. Well done to Ms Walsh, she pulled it off,

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Slightly disappointing

In my opinion the least good of JPW’s stories of Peter Wimsey. Quite a good story but impossible to reproduce DLS’s depth of character. Pity Edward Petherbridge wasn’t available to read this one.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Kevin

beautiful. I think that ms sayers would have loved this. I certainly did. than you.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The Late Scholar

This is a brilliant Lord Peter Wimsey mystery very entertaining with loads of great mysteries running through out. Read with great feeling by Gordon Griffin.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not as good as a DL Sayers but better than nothing

Would you listen to The Late Scholar again? Why?

Yes, because I'm addicted to DL Sayers, Lord Peter Wimsey & Harriet Vane.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Late Scholar?

There was no one moment that stands out.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Sadly Edward Petherbridge has not lent his voice to this reading which is a great shame. While Gordon Griffin does a competent job, his quavering voice and mis-pronunciation of "Domina" amongst other things grated and in no way conjured the image of Peter Wimsey. Ian Carmichael and Edward Petherbridge have stamped my auditory memory so anyone else reading this book is doomed to failure.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The Late Scholar met my double passion for the Wimseys and Oxford, so on that score alone it has to be a winner.

Any additional comments?

Jill Paton Walsh is no Dorothy L Sayers, there is an element of dumbing down of the language and sentiment, perhaps she is trying too hard? Nonetheless, it's a competent work, not faultless but it feeds the insatiable desire to follow the central relationship of Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey. Quite what Miss Sayers would have made of this volume remains to be seen. Having said that, I still give it 7/10 as it is much better than a lot of historical whodunits on the market.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

18 people found this helpful

Masterly

Well done Jill. Writing in the hand of another .....particularly someone as respected as DLS is no easy task. It was good to catch up His Grace again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A real pleasure!

I’m always wary of people trying update or develop established and much loved characters, so when I bought this I was prepared the The Worst. But from the outset I was pleasantly surprised and beyond that - really delighted! Top marks to Jill Paton Walsh!!! I not only recognised but remained an adoring ‘fan’ of Lord Peter, and look forward to the next!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!