Unabridged Opinions

Some people knit for relaxation, I read retro-romantic suspense.  Why? Well, I think part of it (before Mary Stewart’s books, at least, started being reissued) was that the copies I was reading were usually old and well-worn, with the uneven edges to the pages that only seemed to appear in older hard covers.  Whether I found them at the library or the used book store, these books had character even before I had picked them up. There was a consistency to the writing (and the plots) that was soothing whenever I was ill or upset, and I could always rely on the fact that the girl would fall in love with the right guy by the end, and they would wander off-page happily ever after.

Both of these women (and another wonderful writer, Mignon Eberhart), also tend to create strong female characters.  Sure, they occasionally faint and often end up at gunpoint in order to be saved by the hero (and, umm, have hysterics and get *gently* shaken), but they also actively seek out answers and protect those they love.  They often have their adventures in exotic foreign lands and eat what sounds like wonderful lunches.

Would it also surprise you that I find M.F.K. Fischer and cookbooks soothing? No? Okay. Even without the food, and the warm and interesting locations, and the detecting, I think I would enjoy these books because so many of the main characters are making a first attempt to look after themselves.  Many of them seem to reflect the newly changing roles of women at the time, and these women are exploring what it means to be independent and inquisitive. They have jobs and are making their own living. They have plans for the future that are separate from marriage and love. They think about women’s roles in society and the restrictions of common assumptions. They also always live happily ever after with the man of their dreams who has a secure income. After solving crime. I’m not saying it’s realistic, or even that it would be really satisfying, but they are fun worlds to inhabit and interesting women to follow along.

I would tend to recommend any and all of the books these women wrote.  But my favourites of Mary Stewart’s books are Nine Coaches Waiting (governess saves young charge from dangerous situation whilst falling helplessly in love with handsome, dashing hero–also great parties and many mentions of the word “frock” which I love for some reason) and My Brother Michael (young divorcee on vacation becomes embroiled in plot of revenge, falls helplessly in love with intelligent, dashing hero–also lovely descriptions of Greece, and food).  My favourites of M.M. Kaye are anything in her “Death in” series and Shadow of the Moon (heroine falls in love in India during the Sepoy Revolution–wonderfully well written and descriptive. )

I think it’s also a relief, sometimes, to pick a book up and know you won’t have to work at it.  I loved Lowboy and The Hidden, but I was exhausted by the time I finished.  I read Mary Stewart and M.M. Kaye because I’m already exhausted, so I’ll feel better when I’m done and have had my chance to hide away in a much simpler world. Works like a charm every time.