I grandi romanzi gialli. Tutte le indagini di Charlie Chan

Charlie Chan #1-6 omnibus

by Earl Derr Biggers

Earl Derr Biggers incarna lo strano ma non unico caso di un autore la cui identità è stata oscurata da quella del personaggio creato: il suo nome lascia perplessi anche i lettori di romanzi gialli, non quello del suo eroe, il detective di origini cinesi, trapiantato alle Hawaii, Charlie Chan. Protagonista di sei romanzi, il paffuto, imperturbabile cinese sempre squisitamente cortese godette di un grandissimo successo cinematografico, al punto di figurare in ben 49 pellicole; in 16 di queste, sotto gli occhi tirati artificiosamente a mandorla e i lunghi baffi neri spioventi, si celava la nordica fisionomia dello svedese Warner Oland. Ma perché lo scrittore volle che il suo detective avesse quelle marcate caratteristiche orientali? Molti lo criticarono, rimproverandogli di sfruttare cliché deplorevoli; la sua scelta invece ha un'origine nobile. Quelli in cui Biggers scriveva erano i tempi del "pericolo giallo", del razzismo terrorista scatenato contro le popolazioni dell'Estremo Oriente. Biggers si oppose così a questa marea montante, creando un personaggio che scardinasse dall'immaginario dei suoi contemporanei gli stereotipi razzisti e li sostituisse con un'immagine che incarnava le virtù e i pregi del popolo cinese.

1088 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Earl Derr Biggers was born in Warren, Ohio on August 24, 1884. Years later, while attending Harvard University, Biggers showed little passion for the classics, preferring instead writers such as Rudyard Kipling and Richard Harding Davis. Following his graduation from Harvard in 1907, he worked briefly for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and at Bobbs-Merrill publishers. By 1908, Biggers was hired at the Boston Traveler to write a daily humor column. Soon, however, he became that paper's drama critic. It was at this time that he met Elanor Ladd, who would later become his wife and who would have a marked influence in his writing.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will review each novel in this omnibus immediately after reading and will update the review accordingly.

The House Without a Key:- the first appearance of Charlie Chan dates from 1925 but reads better than many mysteries of that period. The writing is surprisingly good and the impact of Hawaii on "outsiders" is vividly conveyed. There are red herring in plenty, and a fair quota of romance, which is par for the era. The characterisation and plotting are solid, although I spotted the perpetrator without too much difficulty. This was both interesting and very readable.****

[Kunal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece!

Each of these 6 stories are such intricately written and thought out. They keep you at the edge of the seat and at the same time, they are long enough to make you impatient to the level of being frustrated with gthe whodunit surprise. Simply brilliant read.

[alansplace · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great character! Reading these prompted me to put all the Charlie Chan movies I could find in my Netflix Queue. Enjoyed these 6 novels a lot and am enjoying watching the old movies a lot as well.

[Yibbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these mysteries. They are so well written. Charlie is such an unusual detective figure. If you're looking for a detective who isn't full of himself and has a refreshing view on life you'll like this one.

[Wilbur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated, slightly racist(though not as bad as in the movies), but great fun.

[Betsy-Gay Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books written in the 1920s and 1930s would not be for everyone. If you enjoy period pieces and if you enjoy cozies, then these stories are great fun.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic mysteries. Easy reading and very relaxing.