My main recent interest, though, has been mysteries. Given many of my other interests, such as Batman and detective shows, this should have been a given, but some reason, I'd never really tried them. Oh, sure, I'd read through and greatly enjoyed all the Sherlock Holmes short stories, and read though most of the Encyclopedia Brown series as a child, but had never given anything else much of a glance. That changed about 2 years ago.
At that time, for some reason, I decided to try some Agatha Christie. The first story I read was "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", and after that I has hooked. Thanks to library book sales and used bookstores, I quickly acquired a large library. After reading through much of her work I decided to branch out and try other authors. Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series became another favorite, as did Earl Derr Bigger's Charlie Chan books. Currently, I'm reading a wide variety of authors, like G.K. Chesterton (Father Brown series), Dorothy L. Sayers (Lord Peter Whimsy), Dashiell Hammett (Sam Spade), and John Dickson Carr (Dr. Gideon Fell).
My enjoyment of mysteries has also enabled me to springboard into other genres, such as action/espionage (Ian Fleming, Alistair MacLean, Don Pendleton, etc.) and sci-fi/fantasy (C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, Madeleine L'Engle, Jack Finney, Asimov, Tolkien, Clarke, etc.) I've also dabbled in older influences to these, such as Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.
So what is it about mysteries I find so appealing? Certainly the puzzle aspect of trying to solve the case while reading has an intellectual appeal, but in truth I'm usually too busy reading the story to try to figure it out. I think it's mainly the overall tone that goes into them. The characters are fascinating, the plots draw you in, and since I usually prefer reading mysteries older than the 1960's, the settings are full of period detail, and it adds to atmosphere. Though mystery may not be the most "literary" of genres, I'd have to say that is the most fun to read.
What genres does everyone else enjoy? Please feel free to post in the comments!
At that time, for some reason, I decided to try some Agatha Christie. The first story I read was "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", and after that I has hooked. Thanks to library book sales and used bookstores, I quickly acquired a large library. After reading through much of her work I decided to branch out and try other authors. Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series became another favorite, as did Earl Derr Bigger's Charlie Chan books. Currently, I'm reading a wide variety of authors, like G.K. Chesterton (Father Brown series), Dorothy L. Sayers (Lord Peter Whimsy), Dashiell Hammett (Sam Spade), and John Dickson Carr (Dr. Gideon Fell).
My enjoyment of mysteries has also enabled me to springboard into other genres, such as action/espionage (Ian Fleming, Alistair MacLean, Don Pendleton, etc.) and sci-fi/fantasy (C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, Madeleine L'Engle, Jack Finney, Asimov, Tolkien, Clarke, etc.) I've also dabbled in older influences to these, such as Poe and H.P. Lovecraft.
So what is it about mysteries I find so appealing? Certainly the puzzle aspect of trying to solve the case while reading has an intellectual appeal, but in truth I'm usually too busy reading the story to try to figure it out. I think it's mainly the overall tone that goes into them. The characters are fascinating, the plots draw you in, and since I usually prefer reading mysteries older than the 1960's, the settings are full of period detail, and it adds to atmosphere. Though mystery may not be the most "literary" of genres, I'd have to say that is the most fun to read.
What genres does everyone else enjoy? Please feel free to post in the comments!
I'd say you come by your love of mysteries honestly. I've read most of the authors you mention, though not so much action/espionage (that's your dad's category).
ReplyDeleteI think part of the appeal of the mystery is the way it delves into human nature. Why so many suspects in a mystery story? Because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Anyone is capable of murder because we harbor original sin.
Father Brown solves crimes by "becoming" the murderer. As a priest, he understands the dark recesses of the human heart and applies that knowledge to understanding the crime. I'd quote "The Secret of Father Brown," but I think you still have our FB Omnibus.