R.I.P P.D. James

[PennLady]

Just saw this today about PD James.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-10787952

 

[lovecraft68]

Aw crap....I thought this said E.L. James.

A strong willed woman who had an amazing career and was true pioneer back in a time when women were still supposed to be in the kitchen....you know like republicans think they should be still....

 

[Handley_Page]

Oh dear; no more Adam Dalgleish
Thanks for the stories, PDJ.

RIP

 

[sr71plt]

Yuck. One of my favorite authors, but she was as old as the hills. Saw it coming. I wasn't thrilled with her Jane Austin rip off (because I wanted to hear James, not Austin), but she's one of the few authors I kept track of to buy the paperback version as soon as it was available.

 

[StrangeLife]

Bummer. I was hoping for more Dalgliesh books. The last is six years old.

But she was always focused on quality rather than quantity, so in a way it is totally in character for her to not rush things. I was consistently amazed with how much detail she put into her novels... almost to the point where the crime became secondary to the characters and scenery.

She will be missed...

 

[ishtat]

I too am a fan of her writing, particularly of her meticulous craftsmanship.

I heard her interview of Mark Thompson the former Director General of the BBC back in 2009. This, then 90 year old woman eviscerated and humiliated one of the most powerful men in British public life. I was conscious of a massive intellect taking the man apart, piece by piece - without ever raising her voice, or betraying even annoyance, let alone anger.

Thompson was pretty much finished from that time on, and one was left with the impression that this woman's brain was something very very special.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

One of my favourite writers. Her portrayal of Adam Dalgleish was masterful.

sr, I think you meant Jane Austen.

PDJ, Thanks for your work. RIP.

 

[sr71plt]

Yep, meant Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, with James' Death Comes to Pemberley sequell). Knew at the time I should look them up.

 

[desertslave]

She was an elegant writer, proof that one could write well and keep interest without stooping to vernacular to make a point or embellish a character.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Yep, meant Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice, with James' Death Comes to Pemberley sequell). Knew at the time I should look them up.

Death comes to Pemberley is more enjoyable, in MHO, after reading Pride & Prejudice.

 

[PennLady]

Death comes to Pemberley is more enjoyable, in MHO, after reading Pride & Prejudice.

It definitely helps. I've read both and there's a presumption of familiarity with the original, I think. Which isn't a bad thing, necessarily, just an observation.

It also helps to read P&P before reading Pride & Prejudice & Zombies. Which I know PD James did not write.