Then and Now
by Rosalind Foley on 08/25/12
Browsing the 'S' section in the downtown library I came across a novel by one of the famous twentieth century British mystery writers, Dorothy Sayers. When I saw where it was set, I couldn't resist. Oxford has always held a fascination for me and ever since a stay there researching my "Campion!" screenplay, I've been a sucker for all things Oxfordian. The scenes in the "Inspector Lewis" series on PBS make me sigh with nostalgia.
But back to Sayers' book. Several things struck me. Let me say her manuscript would never make it past the desk of one of today's grad student publishing house readers. Too slow, too wordy, too many characters. What a difference a few decades and technology make. We're impatient and haven't time now for plots to unravel slowly, much less for lush description.
As the British might say, more's the pity. Sayers was a master at both.
