Play Book Tag discussion

Whose Body? - Sayers
Audio performance by Robert Bathurst
4 stars

I read all of Sayer’s mysteries during the 1980’s, long before I began listening to Books on Tape. I’m a true audiobook addict now. I like to reread old favorites with my ears if I can find a good recording. I’ve been disappointed with most of the available audio performances of the Lord Peter Wimsey series. I know Robert Bathurst from his reading of the Inspector Gamache series. I was pleased to see his recent recordings of some early Wimsey books.

It was a good performance. This is the first book of the series, originally published in 1923. As a classic mystery, this book is a standout. Peter Wimsey is a fun character with a cadre of wonderful supporting characters. The plot is twisty and the crime is gruesome without being overly graphic. I have problems with this book, but I remain a Lord Peter fan.

I’m glad that I listened to this book, but I don’t think I’ll reread it again. Sayer’s is probably criticized for this book more than any other. The victim of the horrible crime is a Jew. The text is full of racial stereotypes. Precisely the kind of stereotypes that would have been common in 1923. I think I’ve read a defense of Sayer’s opinions stating that she was not actively anti semitic. (She does have one of her most likable male characters actively courting the victim’s daughter.) I really couldn’t say what I think of the author’s beliefs. I just know that, despite the historical setting of this book, I wasn’t able to ignore casual commentary that is no longer acceptable.

ILord Peter is my literary crush, and I adore his babbling. But you are right, this book is especially troublesome with the Jewish stereotypes as well as some thrown-away expressions using the “n word” ( to denote how hard someone is working for example.)

I think it is fine to skip this book and start with Clouds of Witness, which better introduces Peter, his family, and his surroundings.

Lovely review. I read this for the first time back in January and I’m glad I did. It was entertaining and Lord Peter is such a delight. But I really struggled with the racist stereotypes as well. I’m glad the other books don’t have such a prominent theme.

I decided that if I was going to reread the series I would start at the beginning. It isn't her best for a lot of reasons, but it was a very well plotted and creepy murder.