It's hard to read or listen to Miss Marple without thinking of the many wonderful actresses who've portrayed her, including Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwen, Angela Lansbury, and June Whitfield. All excellent, but all so very different. I couldn't pick a favorite.
Also...pink snakes? I hadn't heard that one, but apparently it was popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian era, before pink elephants took over as the preferred metaphor.
I was reading about this only last week. I think Jack London is credited with the first notable use of ‘pink elephants’ and it used to be ‘pink elephants and blue mice’ that people saw when they were withdrawing from alcohol. I’d never heard the pink snakes one either!
He is indeed. Coincidentally, I'm currently reading my way through a lot of London's work. I always thought of him as the guy who wrote dog stories and sea stories, and was somewhat surprised to find that he wrote SF and political stuff as well. Next on my list is The Assassination Bureau Ltd, which I only know from the 1969 film.
Absolutely marvellous 🤩 your rendition was excellent Rebekah.
But the way the story unfolded was so clever- little stabs of facts interjected onto what at first seemed a blurry picture, but the unassuming sleuth, Miss Marple, gently pulled it into focus in such a kindly way. No casting of blame or wasted time on gossip- she’s even magnanimous about wasps FGS!
That was fun - thanks!
It's hard to read or listen to Miss Marple without thinking of the many wonderful actresses who've portrayed her, including Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwen, Angela Lansbury, and June Whitfield. All excellent, but all so very different. I couldn't pick a favorite.
Also...pink snakes? I hadn't heard that one, but apparently it was popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian era, before pink elephants took over as the preferred metaphor.
I was reading about this only last week. I think Jack London is credited with the first notable use of ‘pink elephants’ and it used to be ‘pink elephants and blue mice’ that people saw when they were withdrawing from alcohol. I’d never heard the pink snakes one either!
He is indeed. Coincidentally, I'm currently reading my way through a lot of London's work. I always thought of him as the guy who wrote dog stories and sea stories, and was somewhat surprised to find that he wrote SF and political stuff as well. Next on my list is The Assassination Bureau Ltd, which I only know from the 1969 film.
You’ll have to tell me your top London picks, I’ve only ever read The Call of the Wild!
https://mattkelland.substack.com/p/the-iron-heel
And also, The Star Rover (probably available as The Jacket in the UK).
Absolutely marvellous 🤩 your rendition was excellent Rebekah.
But the way the story unfolded was so clever- little stabs of facts interjected onto what at first seemed a blurry picture, but the unassuming sleuth, Miss Marple, gently pulled it into focus in such a kindly way. No casting of blame or wasted time on gossip- she’s even magnanimous about wasps FGS!
My kinda ghost/ detective story!
Thank you so much! I ADORE how she talks about the wasps, Miss Marple is one of my favourite literary creations.
She’s a national treasure!