Just Finished
"The Hand of Fu-Manchu is the 3rd book in the Dr. Fu-Manchu series by English writer, Sax Rohmer. It was originally published in 1917 as The Si-Fan Mysteries.
In the 2nd book, Fu-Manchu disappears. The third book finds Nayland Smith and his friend and assistant Dr. Petrie called back to London with a new threat to England and even the world. The threat is a secret cult / organization from Asia, the Si-Fan, which uses occult practices and strange mysterious people to try to take out Smith and Petrie. It turns out that Fu-Manchu was one of the senior members of Si-Fan.
The story is more like a collection of events as Smith and Petrie, along with faithful Scotland Yard detective Weymouth battle against the serious threat and find themselves backed against the wall in pretty well every chapter; especially poor Dr. Petrie. The book is more like one of those serials that used to start off a Saturday matinee (if you are old enough to remember them), with each chapter finding the duo in dire straits and hoping to survive for another chapter.
Smith and Petrie are very much like Holmes and Watson, sturdy, and. smart (even though they often seem to be caught up in these situations) and make an interesting duo. The stories are all well-crafted, described very well and action-packed. I think that people would now call them politically incorrect, what with the constant threat of the 'yellow peril' but consider instead that Fu-Manchu is Smith and Petrie's Professor Moriarty, an arch enemy that they need to find and destroy.
All in all, it's another entertaining chapter in the Fu-Manchu adventure, thriller series. If you want a quick entertaining read, it's worth trying (3.5 stars)."
"I found this book on the Swedish movie I Am Curious by Vilgot Sjöman (the film's director) purely by chance last year. While I've never seen the movie; when it came out in 1967 (I was only 12 years old). I do remember reading a Time Magazine article back then which discussed the film. I'm not sure what the context was exactly as it was 50ish years ago but I think it might have had to do with censorship and sexual freedom in film. There were other films discussed I'm sure.
The book basically is a full scenario of the film with 250 screen shots from the movie. It ends with pertinent testimony from key witnesses in the US District Court case which was trying to determine whether the movie was obscene or not. The film was unique at the time with its portrayals of sexual acts and nudity, especially that of male nudity. While the film was well-received throughout Europe it didn't get quite the same reception in the US. Saying that it was the 12th most financially successful film in 1969.
So what is the film about? It's filmed in almost a documentary format. Lena is a young Swedish woman who is trying to find answers to questions of the time period; interviewing people on the street, asking about Swedish mores; are woman treated differently from men, is the a class structure still in Sweden, should Sweden become a republic (get rid of the King), etc. At the same time she is dealing with family issues, her life with her father and those difficulties. As well, she is exploring her sexuality, focused on her new relationship with Borje. In these scenes there were scenes of nudity of both parties.
It was interesting to go back to this period with this book and find out more about the film and the issues it was trying to cover and the scandal that it caused when it first came out. All in all, for personal reasons especially, I found it interesting to read the book. I don't know that it would have the same impact for those who don't recall that period. It might be quite interesting for film buffs. (4 stars)"
"I continue to enjoy Victoria Thompson Gaslight mystery series. Murder on Mulberry Bend is the fifth book in the series and finds Mrs. Sarah Brandt, mid-wife and sometimes crime solver, and her friend Detective Frank Malloy, looking into the murder of a girl living in a Mission on Mulberry Bend.
Sarah first hears of this Mission from a wealthy friend of her parents. His wife had volunteered to help at the Mission and had died due to an infection she seems to have acquired at the home. Sarah accompanies Richard Dennis to the house across from the NY Police building. Richard feels guilty because he feels he never displayed enough interest in his wife's charitable activities and wants to see what she was doing to understand her better and maybe to assuage some guilt. Sarah finds herself wanting to help there as well, upon visiting the place and finding something missing in her inner spirit. Should she be doing more?
Her involvement with the Mission becomes more personal. She donated clothes and a girl who was wearing some of the clothes is found dead the next day. Detective Malloy, recognizing Sarah's clothes, is terrified Sarah is the victim, and upon discovering his error, rushes to her home to find out more and to just be thankful she is still alive. Sarah's and Frank's feelings for each other continue to progress and infect their dealings.
So, without ruining more of the story, both Sarah and Frank investigate the murder of the young girl. Frank also continues his ongoing investigation into the earlier murder of Sarah's husband, Doctor Brandt. He feels an obligation to Sarah for her valuable help with his invalid son.
It's a nicely, well-paced story, an interesting investigation, as always and continued development of Sarah and Frank's relationship, including a new jealousy from Frank towards Richard. As always, Sarah's lovely, quirky neighbour, Mrs. Ellsworth, provides advice and a comforting presence. It's not the most complicated mystery; I had a good idea of the murderer, but it doesn't really matter. The story was still excellent and an enjoyable read. I'm enjoying this exploration into the lives of both main characters... Oh, there is one big surprise.. :0) (4 stars)"
Currently Reading
I hope to read at least 10 books in December. I've got eight put aside including the ones I'm currently reading. I'll wait until I finish those before I pick any more.
"The peace of the village of Kergwyns has been shattered by a bizarre murder. A young woman has been shot. The only thing taken from a scene is the shoe and stocking from her left leg…exposing her deformed foot. Wycliffe uncovers evidence of an unhappy woman who routinely manipulated the men in her life. As half the men in the village have been known to visit her, and most have reason to lie about it, finding the murderer will not be easy. Wycliffe's task is complicated by the discovery of some clues in the form of crossword puzzles left by the victim herself. If Pussy Welles knew she was going to die, why did she make no effort to save herself?"
"'History is just one damned thing after another.'
Behind the seemingly innocuous façade of St Mary's, a different kind of historical research is taking place. They don't do 'time-travel' - they 'investigate major historical events in contemporary time'. Maintaining the appearance of harmless eccentrics is not always within their power - especially given their propensity for causing loud explosions when things get too quiet.
Meet the disaster-magnets of St Mary's Institute of Historical Research as they ricochet around History. Their aim is to observe and document - to try and find the answers to many of History's unanswered questions...and not to die in the process. But one wrong move and History will fight back - to the death. And, as they soon discover - it's not just History they're fighting.
Follow the catastrophe curve from 11th-century London to World War I, and from the Cretaceous Period to the destruction of the Great Library at Alexandria. For wherever Historians go, chaos is sure to follow in their wake...."
So there you go. I'll probably get to my end-November update tomorrow. Enjoy your weekend!
