Close Quarters: Difference between revisions
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{{Image|Michael Gilbert Portrait - smaller.jpg|left|100px|Michael Gilbert on the back cover of [[Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens]], 1982}} | {{Image|Michael Gilbert Portrait - smaller.jpg|left|100px|Michael Gilbert on the back cover of [[Mr. Calder and Mr. Behrens]], 1982}} | ||
'''Close Quarters''' is the first novel by the British mystery writer [[Michael Gilbert]]. Published in England by [[Hodder & Stoughton]] in 1947, it did not appear in the United States until 1963. By then Gilbert's reputation had been firmly established in both countries and his regular American publisher for many years had been [[Harper & Row]]. ''Close Quarters'', however, was published by [[Walker and Company]], a less prestigious house. | '''Close Quarters''' is the first novel by the British mystery writer [[Michael Gilbert]]. Published in England by [[Hodder & Stoughton]] in 1947, it did not appear in the United States until 1963. By then Gilbert's reputation had been firmly established in both countries and his regular American publisher for many years had been [[Harper & Row]]. ''Close Quarters'', however, was published by [[Walker and Company]], a less prestigious house. In it we are introduced to [[Inspector Hazlerigg]], who will go on to be a recurring character in a number of Gilbert's works throughout the next ten years. | ||
A series of deaths, the first one an apparent accident, take place | The novel's form is that of many of the [[Golden Age mystery novel|Golden Age mysteries]] that had been popularized during the 1930s by writers such as [[Agatha Christie]], [[Dorothy L. Sayers]], and [[Michael Innes]]. It is difficult to discern the author's actual intentions: it may be a [[parody]] of the form presented with a straight face, or it may be a clever [[pastiche]]. Since its events take place in 1937, two years before the outbreak of [[World War II], it is certainly an attempt to mimic the novels of that era. | ||
A series of deaths, the first one an apparent accident, take place in the normally quiet cathedral town of Welchester, more particularly within the "Close" of the 500-year old cathedral itself, "Close" being the English word for the precincts of a cathedral. The work emulates many of the classic detective story's typical features. The setting is the tightly limited confines of the cathedral Close and those few houses within its exterior walls, much as many Golden Age stories were set in isolated country houses; two full pages are devoted to a complete cast of "householders" inhabiting the Close; the main characters (and suspects) are strictly limited to those ecclesiastics living within these confines; we also have three full-page diagrams showing the grounds of the Close with its cathedral and houses; an inspector and sergeant are sent down from Scotland Yard to conduct the inquiries; a loving imitation of a London ''Times'' crossword puzzle is presented, along with recondite clues, and is the subject of an entire chapter, with three iterations of the puzzle itself being shown as it is gradually filled in by two of the story's characters; and there is much leisurely description of the cathedral, the neighboring houses, and of the characters themselves. | |||
Boys | |||
Credibility | |||
dark edge -- add quote from publisher at his death | dark edge -- add quote from publisher at his death | ||
Revision as of 17:37, 6 September 2016
Close Quarters is the first novel by the British mystery writer Michael Gilbert. Published in England by Hodder & Stoughton in 1947, it did not appear in the United States until 1963. By then Gilbert's reputation had been firmly established in both countries and his regular American publisher for many years had been Harper & Row. Close Quarters, however, was published by Walker and Company, a less prestigious house. In it we are introduced to Inspector Hazlerigg, who will go on to be a recurring character in a number of Gilbert's works throughout the next ten years.
The novel's form is that of many of the Golden Age mysteries that had been popularized during the 1930s by writers such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Michael Innes. It is difficult to discern the author's actual intentions: it may be a parody of the form presented with a straight face, or it may be a clever pastiche. Since its events take place in 1937, two years before the outbreak of [[World War II], it is certainly an attempt to mimic the novels of that era.
A series of deaths, the first one an apparent accident, take place in the normally quiet cathedral town of Welchester, more particularly within the "Close" of the 500-year old cathedral itself, "Close" being the English word for the precincts of a cathedral. The work emulates many of the classic detective story's typical features. The setting is the tightly limited confines of the cathedral Close and those few houses within its exterior walls, much as many Golden Age stories were set in isolated country houses; two full pages are devoted to a complete cast of "householders" inhabiting the Close; the main characters (and suspects) are strictly limited to those ecclesiastics living within these confines; we also have three full-page diagrams showing the grounds of the Close with its cathedral and houses; an inspector and sergeant are sent down from Scotland Yard to conduct the inquiries; a loving imitation of a London Times crossword puzzle is presented, along with recondite clues, and is the subject of an entire chapter, with three iterations of the puzzle itself being shown as it is gradually filled in by two of the story's characters; and there is much leisurely description of the cathedral, the neighboring houses, and of the characters themselves.
Boys
Credibility
dark edge -- add quote from publisher at his death
Notes