Category: 42 Word Retrospectives

Mr. Jelly’s Business

Mr. Jelly’s Business

by Arthur W. Upfield (Angus & Robertson, 1937)

audiobook read by Peter Hosking (Bolinda, 2012)

Book cover: “Mr. Jelly’s Business” by Arthur W. Upfield (Angus & Robertson, 1937); audiobook read by Peter Hosking (Bolinda, 2012)

Bony seems more vigorous in his investigations here than elsewhere, and is portrayed with flaws and failings to counterbalance his abilities (and most of all, pride). Though the dialogue tends toward the stilted side of formal, the characters nevertheless prove distinctly Australian.

American History X

American History X

dir. Tony Kaye (1998)

Film poster: “American History X” dir. Tony Kaye (1998)

A confronting and uncomfortable film that depicts extreme racism head-on, exploring its manifestation, causes and, above all, perpetuation. Ed Norton puts in a powerful performance as a full-fledged then reformed neo-Nazi skinhead, subtly complemented by Edward Furlong as his idolising younger brother.

Blake & Mortimer: The Time Trap

Blake & Mortimer: The Time Trap

by Edgar P. Jacobs; trans. Jerome Saincantin (Cinebook, 2014)

[from Le piège diabolique, 1962]

Graphic novel cover: “Blake & Mortimer: The Time Trap” by Edgar P. Jacobs; trans. Jerome Saincantin (Cinebook, 2014) [from Le piège diabolique, 1962]

Three Boy’s Own time travel adventures, unleavened by humour and heavy with in-story exposition—in addition to which, Jacobs keeps up a narrative voiceover that reads suspiciously like illustration notes-to-self inadvertently left pasted alongside each picture. Artistically accomplished but a real slog.

The Mountain of Adventure

The Mountain of Adventure

by Enid Blyton (Macmillan, 1949)

audiobook read by Thomas Judd (Bolinda, 2021)

Book cover: “The Mountain of Adventure” by Enid Blyton (Macmillan, 1949); audiobook read by Thomas Judd (Bolinda, 2021)

Alternatively ‘The Magic Mushrooms of Adventure’. Blyton’s framing story is a delight and features quite the menagerie: Kiki the parrot plus lamb, slow-worm, donkeys and Alsatians. Then she reaches the point where she has to extemporise a mystery/escapade… and goes utterly bonkers.

Groundhog Day (1993)

Groundhog Day

dir. Harold Ramis (1993)

Film poster: “Groundhog Day” dir. Harold Ramis (1993)

Perfectly executed, its scenario grounded in the real-world town of Punxsutawney and its annual Groundhog Day festival, the story riffing through loops that, while sometimes as dark as they are funny, reveal a surprising measure of philosophical depth. High re-watch value (appropriately).

Death of Mr. Dodsley

Death of Mr. Dodsley

by John Ferguson (The Crime Club, 1937)

audiobook read by David Thorpe (Soundings, 2023)

Book cover: “Death of Mr. Dodsley” by John Ferguson (The Crime Club, 1937); audiobook read by David Thorpe (Soundings, 2023)

Ferguson affords the reader meticulous access to the discoveries, theories and reasonings of both MacNab and the police, yet still manages to spring a surprise of two (albeit in part due to glassy-eyed oversaturation). The prose is pleasant enough, its deployment underwhelming.

Father Brown: The Absence of Mr. Glass

Father Brown: The Absence of Mr. Glass

by G.K. Chesterton; dramatised by John Scotney; (BBC Radio 4, 1987)

Radio adaption cover: “Father Brown: The Absence of Mr. Glass” by G.K. Chesterton; dramatised by John Scotney; (BBC Radio 4, 1987)

A single-episode addendum to Scotney’s two series of radio adaptations. Where Chesterton playfully mocked the Holmesian method, Scotney and Bernard Archard (portraying Holmes) go a little too far in demeaning the man himself. The concluding explanation of ‘Mr. Glass’ proves sadly facetious.

A Princess of Mars

A Princess of Mars

by Edgar Rice Burroughs (A. C. McClurg, 1917)

audiobook read by Scott Brick (Tantor, 2008)

Book cover: “A Princess of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs (A. C. McClurg, 1917); audiobook read by Scott Brick (Tantor, 2008)

A freewheeling adventure aimed very much at an adolescent male market. Burroughs affects an erudite narrative voice (for pulp), and has invested sufficient thought to fudge a depiction of Martian culture. Events, however, transpire in an extemporised cavalcade, dreamlike and dramatically untethered.

Derelict Space Sheep