The Letters of Dorothy L. Sayers: 1937-1943, From Novelist to Playwright (Letters of Dorothy L. Sayers, 1937-1943)

Rating:
Summary: From Wimsey to religion
Review: Dorothy L Sayers was much more than a writer of detective novels. From the late 1930's until her death, she was also in great demand as a writer and speaker on religious issues. She wrote a series of radio plays on the life of Christ called "The man born to be king", and the sensation caused by these made her into an instant "expert" on religion in the eyes of the public and the media of the day. The letters dealing with the writing and production of the plays are fascinating. The uproar caused by an actor portraying Jesus was unbelievable (Christ hadn't been portrayed on stage since Oliver Cromwell's time), and Sayers was accused of blasphemy because she used everyday language instead of only the words of the Bible. There's very little about her detective novels in this volume of letters, but I still found them full of interesting insights into the life of a writer. Sayers' very distinctive voice comes through, and her letters to friends are lots of fun. Her joy at receiving a lemon as a present during the war (unobtainable due to rationing) is wonderful, as are her discussions with her husband on the best way to use this treasure. A fascinating collection of letters from one of my favourite writers.

Rating:
Summary: From Wimsey to religion
Review: Dorothy L Sayers was much more than a writer of detective novels. From the late 1930's until her death, she was also in great demand as a writer and speaker on religious issues. She wrote a series of radio plays on the life of Christ called "The man born to be king", and the sensation caused by these made her into an instant "expert" on religion in the eyes of the public and the media of the day. The letters dealing with the writing and production of the plays are fascinating. The uproar caused by an actor portraying Jesus was unbelievable (Christ hadn't been portrayed on stage since Oliver Cromwell's time), and Sayers was accused of blasphemy because she used everyday language instead of only the words of the Bible. There's very little about her detective novels in this volume of letters, but I still found them full of interesting insights into the life of a writer. Sayers' very distinctive voice comes through, and her letters to friends are lots of fun. Her joy at receiving a lemon as a present during the war (unobtainable due to rationing) is wonderful, as are her discussions with her husband on the best way to use this treasure. A fascinating collection of letters from one of my favourite writers.