Can’t Quite Put My Finger On It!

I've read three P. D. James’ novels so far and I still haven’t been able to make up my mind about whether I like her lead investigator – Adam Dalgliesh – or not. There are times when he is an absolutely unlikeable character. Not unlikeable in the charming-devil-may-care-cocky-ne'er-do-well sort of way, but rather in the annoyingly intense, introverted way; the kind who dislike others just for being around! He isn't an action hero – rough round the edges with a heart of gold – but rather a well-read, gentleman detective, who writes poetry in his spare time! He’s intelligent and witty, apart from being aloof and sarcastic. Yet there is some elusive quality that renders him indefinably ambiguous.

James’ style is interesting; the descriptions, detailed. They evoke the atmosphere so perfectly that one actually feels, emotively, a sense of place, person and event. The characters are etched carefully, no detail is too tiny; most have no redeeming qualities. There is a sense of pessimism that pervades. No character is good or bad; each is a blend. There is a very realistic edge to her style; quite chilling in its ordinariness.

The books have no action-packed scenes, car chases, fistfights and so on, but rather, are filled with intelligent dialogues that are littered with cunningly masked clues. The novels themselves are lengthy, so don’t pick one up unless you’re planning to spend at least three days with it!

Though I can’t quite put my finger on it, I’ll still pick up a P. D. James novel when I see one!