Arranging Your Hors-d'oeuvres

[filkferengi]

Some people like to put starkly contrasting colors and shapes right up against each other; others prefer a subtle spectrum, gradually shading from one to the other along a gentle arc.

Emotions are like that, and can be arranged in a similar variety of ways. A possible example of the latter might be moving from the theological and ethical ambiguities of Sayers' _Nine Tailors_ [surely one of the most *depressing* books in the universes--powerful, unquestionably, but also depressing] to the theological and ethical questioning of Bujold's _Chalion_ books, where people struggle and hurt, but also learn and grow, to the pain, struggle, and growth of _Memory_, then continuing the journey through _Komarr_ and _A Civil Campaign_, by end of which the cycle would have gone round from tragedy back to comedy.

The regencies of Georgette Heyer would be the natural follower-on thereto. When one is sated with wit and fun, there are always the Heyer mysteries to try, elaborate puzzles constructed with her husband, the lawyer [Lawyerspouse, yay! an idea towards I am both rhapsodic and enthusiastic. ;)]. From there one could transistion quite easily to some Agatha Christie mysteries, which could bring one neatly back to Sayers, or on to Allingham, or starting a new cycle leading any number of interesting places: history, alternate history, Discworld, wherever.

Thanks to our new friend, the tivo, I like to arrange tv shows similarly [although perhaps not as elaborately]. For a mystery theme, I might alternate Poirot with Sherlock Holmes. I enjoy "Dead Zone", but it is often dark or ambivalent, so I always save "Monk" for afterwards, to clear the intellectual and emotional palate.

So, the question becomes: how do *you* arrange *your* hors-d'oeuvres?

Comments

[mum-of-hearts.livejournal.com]

Before I had nigh memorized their books, I used to alternate Georgette Heyer and Louis L'Amour. The books were usually of similar length, but were like alternating sweet and salty -- or maybe Reese's cups!

[filkferengi]

Good analogy!

[17catherines.livejournal.com]

Nine Tailors is depressing? Odd, I always find it rather comforting to read... no idea why.

I was going to write something interesting but the sleepmonster has eaten my brain.

[filkferengi]

Well, come back & share your insights when you've rested up a bit.

[17catherines.livejournal.com]

I think it's because I like all the bell stuff, and also because I have this not-so-secret hankering for english country village life. In particular, I've always felt rather sad that the 'job' of the minister's wife no longer really exists - it seems to have an awful lot of interesting stuff in it - the good parts of social work, a certain amount of administration and organising people. Very appealing! Nine Tailors is one of my favourite Sayers novels... it vies for superiority with Murder Must Advertise, Strong Poison and Gaudy Night (which I either love or can't get through, depending on mood, but which always makes me want to go to Oxford).

Catherine, oddly conservative in some respects

[filkferengi]

Well then, you obviously need to get over to yahoo & join the LordPeter group, which is discussing _9 Tailors_ as we speak & just finished discussing _Murder Must Advertise_. Lots of listies lurk there. It sounds like you'd have something cool to add; folks have been talking about the meaning of the names, but not ministers' wives' roles. It's a fun group, usually one digest a day--steady, but not overwhelming.

[toraks.livejournal.com]

On the contrary, I tend to get into a mode and like to read books that are just like the WONDERFUL one I just finished reading!!

Hence, huge Heyer buyouts on occasion when doing a Heyer reread, etc. I can switch genres/tones, but it takes me a while, and I don't necessarily enjoy the first book in the switch as much.

Plus, with how stressful my life's been the last few years, I've been sticking to light and fluffy. Thus, been reading and rereading lots of Heyer/Austen/some Nora Roberts/some McCaffrey and am now doing a reread of Xanth by Piers Anthony. Stuff I can get totally engrossed in, but that doesn't get me too emotionally involved and drained. Funny=good.

I've got to be in a generally good mood/unstressed point in life to get into the intellectually/emotionally stimulating stuff. Which includes most sci fi. At least the good stuff!!

[filkferengi]

Then you should definitely look into Jennifer Crusie, whom Lois recommends so highly. She started out writing 200 pg. romance novels & has gotten into bigger [300+ pgs.] hardbacks. They're all good. I know because I wound up reading 10+ of them in a couple of weeks, which is sort of an acid test for authors, reading that many of them that close together & not burning out. They're well-written, character-driven, & lots of fun.

[toraks.livejournal.com]

Oh definitely!! No convincing required, I've heard enough onlist and in LJ and from friends that I just need to get to a library or buy some!!

:-)

Besides, They're well-written, character-driven, & lots of fun., those are exactly the kinds of books I love to read!!