... Thought experiments in death. (Personally, I doubt if many academics could "write with far more insight than" Maxine on this or many other topics. )
I am really touched by your kind comments, Frank and Equiano. Totally undeserved, I feel -- but I love writing on Petrona (et al!) and if you enjoy reading what I write there, that's a real buzz. Thank you.
An intriguing post, Maxine! I think Ian McEwan's _Amsterdam_ has a slightly similar premise: Guy gets euthanized in that city although he's changed his mind about wanting to die (I hope I'm remembering this correctly).
As for why people read crime fiction, especially murder mysteries, I once read a fabulous essay by Julian Symons on the subject. He says it's because the mystery of death is solved again and again in them whereas it's so often not solved in the real world. The world is also full of information, full of secrets, that most of us can never be privy to -- a murder mystery reveals those secrets and hidden info. I can't remember the name of the essay, but I read it years ago (somehow in conjuction with Wilkie Collins' _The Woman in White_, so it may have even been a preface to a Penguin or Oxford edition of the novel) and it's always stayed with me. I believe he is right.
Hmm, yes Susan, I think that essay is quite famous now you come to mention it. In fact I am sure I read it once. perhaps we should open up this topic to the crime fiction bloggers....
Hear, hear (as they say in British parliament)! Maxine always points out interesting things in an engaging fashion. I am a fan of her blog(s)
ReplyDeleteI am really touched by your kind comments, Frank and Equiano. Totally undeserved, I feel -- but I love writing on Petrona (et al!) and if you enjoy reading what I write there, that's a real buzz. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing post, Maxine! I think Ian McEwan's _Amsterdam_ has a slightly similar premise: Guy gets euthanized in that city although he's changed his mind about wanting to die (I hope I'm remembering this correctly).
ReplyDeleteAs for why people read crime fiction, especially murder mysteries, I once read a fabulous essay by Julian Symons on the subject. He says it's because the mystery of death is solved again and again in them whereas it's so often not solved in the real world. The world is also full of information, full of secrets, that most of us can never be privy to -- a murder mystery reveals those secrets and hidden info. I can't remember the name of the essay, but I read it years ago (somehow in conjuction with Wilkie Collins' _The Woman in White_, so it may have even been a preface to a Penguin or Oxford edition of the novel) and it's always stayed with me. I believe he is right.
Hmm, yes Susan, I think that essay is quite famous now you come to mention it. In fact I am sure I read it once.
ReplyDeleteperhaps we should open up this topic to the crime fiction bloggers....