Those who enjoy reading Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, Dorothy Sayers, Barbara Pym, and other English authors of a certain ilk are bound to love the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. The charm of these books is as much in the history, character, and atmosphere as in the subject. Although they have stories, these cheap books, rape, sexploitation, vulgarity, or (which are beautiful. ) the edge of any kind They are loved by Anglophiles (and of course by the English themselves) in part because they are soft, humane, and respectful of the subjects and times in which they live. The wonderful thing about the Maisie Dobbs series is that, in addition to the others mentioned above, we are still writing and have new stories coming up.
Maisie’s Backstory
Among the Mad, Ms. Winspear’s latest and sixth novel in the series, is set in 1931 and tells the story of an unmarried young woman living in inter-war London, earning her own private life. detective Is this an improbable profession for an honest girl about herself? Of course it is, but they don’t touch the facts of the story, but they fully explain how this particular woman is involved in this case.
Born as the daughter of a butcher, Maisie lost her mother at a young age and went to work for a wealthy family in Belgrave. at home as a maid and was found to have intellectual gifts. Trips to the family library resulted in a close friendship with the “familiar” side of the family, especially Mrs. Rowan Compton and a close family friend Dr. Maurice Blanche. Her sponsors arrange for her to attend Girton College (for women) at the University of Cambridge, but Maisie soon signs up as a nurse and serves in France during the Great War.
The old suitors explored Maisie’s apprenticeship with Dr. Blanche, who is a “psychologist and private investigator” with many large clients. Readers also learn about Maisie’s romance with a doctor who worked in France, who is unfortunately seriously injured in an attack on the hospital campus – an attack that also injures Maisie. We later learn that Simon (Maisie’s husband) has lost her facility in long-term care without ever recovering her mental faculties, freeing her to at least contemplate other potential emotions.
Maisie in 1931
As Among the Mad opens, Maisie is well established as a “psychologist and private investigator” in London, working with by his faithful navy assistant, Billy Beale. On Christmas Eve, 1931, Maisie and Billy accidentally witness the death of their betrothed veteran, which also harms a few other neighbors. The case was raised by Scotland’s Special Branch, which considers it a more likely act of terrorism than a major statute. of offended men. Maisie was brought in first as a witness, then as an active research participant.
For other acts of violence follow, first against the dogs, then against the birds, and finally against the minister of state. Maisie uses that great capacity for empathy and the ability to trace the author’s circumstances and motivations. In the climactic scene of the book, she confronts him about himself in one of the most poignant moments ever depicted in the Maisie Dobbs series to date:
“They stood facing each other, and Maisie wondered what words, what actions would appease a man for whom all the accepted methods of human communication seemed to mean nothing. But when he turned on himself, his eyes rolled into his head and saliva shot into his mouth.
“You have committed murder and I believe you want to kill again, only this time you plan to take the lives of many innocent people.”
‘More innocent? Innocent? What is more innocent? Innocentius from the blind to the condition of other people…'” (pp. 244-5).
In addition to this first plot, the novel has an interesting subplot that deals with the difficulties of Billy Beale when he is near poverty and his wife cannot cope with the death of his infant daughter from an infectious disease. There are also hints about Maisie’s love life and her friendship with Priscilla, a Cambridge friend who has a lot of wealth but haunts the memory of her brothers who were killed in the war.
Tragedy and Tribulation in England Between the Wars
Throughout the Maisie Dobbs series, Winspear looks at the bitter sorrow of England’s losses in World War I (which of course was not both designated and later years). Those who had survived the war and the great plague of 1918 were invested in surviving crime, economic hardship, and the lack of men to women of marriageable age (relevant to Maisie’s story). Wounded veterans in body and mind were always present and the problems faced by veterans were at the heart of this new interMinds.
Although the subject sounds somewhat sad, Maisie herself is in good shape and is able to help many people who are suffering. He had succeeded in the previous parties in negotiating the war and reparation, allowing a new force and resilience in the new situation. His support of Billy and his family is crucial and interesting, and his relationships with the other investigators involved in the case revolve around him. At one point, her confrontation with the elite Scotland Yard results in her attending a meeting with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street-Ramsay Macdonald. These are some of the more famous characters that comprise the most tragic scenarios.
The Passion of Winspear in Historical Detail
Jacqueline Winspear is an English woman who immigrated to California in the US (the well-trodden road!). It is clear that she was fascinated by the history of life in England between the wars and that she did careful research to increase the authenticity of her novels. She sought to describe the forensic methods used, the “therapy” administered in the asylum where Billy’s wife was committed, the means of transportation and communication, and other technological aspects of life in 1931 as accurately as possible. Although Maisie is progressing in many ways (including her choice of profession), she lives in an older age and experiences her technological limitations.
Indeed, one of the aspects of these stories that I enjoy the most is watching highly intelligent and well-trained detectives work without the benefit of cell phones , DNA testing, or computerized data analysis! Autographed notes, autographed “casualty” letters sent by post, and rudimentary telephone were the order of the day. Maisie has a car (a sporty MG), but it is clearly a luxury and used sparingly.
Bottom Line: Read This Book! (But others read First
Maisie Dobbs is a very interesting and well-developed central character, vulnerable but never hysterical. She is almost but not quite prim; it was bad to think of her in an orderly manner and of herself. She is concerned with being decently and neatly dressed, but she is not like her friend Priscilla. Its origins in the lower ranks are important part of the psychological make-up and sometimes ways to provide it. to connect with details that would not otherwise be available to him.
Majestic readers are proud to work as well as a professional woman in a man’s world, and yet we feel that she is lonely and finally wants to marry someone who respects her independence and her achievements. Or not! Winspear leaves this question open, which gives him credit. The appeal of these novelties lies not in the heavy weight of romantic desire or the sense that Maisie is incomplete without a man. People can be chosen around, but Maisie has only been able to resist them.
All in all, Maisie Dobbs’ books are very engaging and the series has grown in popularity over time with more complex and nuanced stories from Ms. Winspear emerged. For the reader who appreciates this kind of fiction, he will treat it in a series. I recommend that readers new to the series, if possible, start from the beginning. Here is a list of the novelties so far, all published by Henry Holt and Company:
Maisie Dobbs (2003)
Birds Feathers (2004)
(2005)
Messenger of Truth (2006)
Full Revenge (2008)
Among the Mad (2009)
Mapping Love and Death (results)
The first six Maisie Dobbs novels are available in paperback from Amazon.com for about $10 (or less). Mapping Love and Death is available for preorder, expected to ship in April 2010. Click here for more information.
Some of the stories are available in other formats, including electronic editions, audio editions, and foreign language editions.
For information on editions and prices available from Barnes and Noble (bn.com) click here.
Sources:
Maisie Dobbs wrote by Jacqueline Winspear listed above
Report:
- www.jacquelinewinspear.com/books.htm
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1399569/ great_reads.html? cat=38
