Fiction

CTyankee

(65,300 posts) Wed Oct 9, 2013, 01:26 PM Oct 2013

Anyone here a Louise Penny fan?

my friend and former co-worker is raving about "How the Light Gets in,' Penny's latest novel. She recommended that I start with Penny's first book, "Still Life" and progress from there, so I got it from the library today.

15 replies

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Anyone here a Louise Penny fan? (Original Post) CTyankee Oct 2013 OP

Yes, I am. I think I may've posted about her novels Lex Oct 2013 #1

I've started that book. It takes a bit of getting used to. I guess it's because she's a Canadian, CTyankee Oct 2013 #2

It is quaint. It's more of a cozy than anything else. Lex Oct 2013 #3

thanks. I'll keep up with it, even tho mystery isn't my favorite genre. Even fiction isn't my CTyankee Oct 2013 #4

What did you / do you think of it, CTyankee? Lex Oct 2013 #6

I'm having trouble getting into it. CTyankee Oct 2013 #7

It's not a swiftly paced Lex Oct 2013 #8

what is the best thing about this book (and her others)? Is it plot twists (which I love)? CTyankee Oct 2013 #9

I love the way she describes the setting Lex Oct 2013 #10

I'll try again... CTyankee Oct 2013 #11

Haven't read her newest, but a fan elfin Oct 2013 #5

Yes, I love her books. I'm on the library wait list for her latest. I usually Nay Oct 2013 #12

thanks! CTyankee Oct 2013 #13

Just started one. Mz Pip Nov 2013 #14

I love that series - TBF Nov 2013 #15

Lex

(34,108 posts)

1. Yes, I am. I think I may've posted about her novels

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Wed Oct 9, 2013, 04:14 PM

Oct 2013

here in this forum before but it's been awhile. It definitely is best to read the novels in order to enjoy the characters' personal story arcs unfold.

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

2. I've started that book. It takes a bit of getting used to. I guess it's because she's a Canadian,

Reply to Lex (Reply #1)

Wed Oct 9, 2013, 04:18 PM

Oct 2013

from Quebec. It seems quaint. But I will persist with it...

Lex

(34,108 posts)

3. It is quaint. It's more of a cozy than anything else.

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #2)

Wed Oct 9, 2013, 04:35 PM

Oct 2013

I enjoy the cozy mystery genre now and then if it's done right.

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

4. thanks. I'll keep up with it, even tho mystery isn't my favorite genre. Even fiction isn't my

Reply to Lex (Reply #3)

Wed Oct 9, 2013, 06:38 PM

Oct 2013

favorite genre. I much prefer non-fiction in general.

Lex

(34,108 posts)

6. What did you / do you think of it, CTyankee?

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #4)

Wed Oct 16, 2013, 10:15 AM

Oct 2013

Not your cup of tea or did you enjoy reading it?

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

7. I'm having trouble getting into it.

Reply to Lex (Reply #6)

Wed Oct 16, 2013, 11:01 AM

Oct 2013

It doesn't interest me so far...

Lex

(34,108 posts)

8. It's not a swiftly paced

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #7)

Thu Oct 17, 2013, 09:50 AM

Oct 2013

novel so I can see how it might be hard to get into, especially at first.

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

9. what is the best thing about this book (and her others)? Is it plot twists (which I love)?

Reply to Lex (Reply #8)

Thu Oct 17, 2013, 11:09 AM

Oct 2013

I also like clever mysteries, but not if they strain credulity...

Lex

(34,108 posts)

10. I love the way she describes the setting

Reply to CTyankee (Reply #9)

Thu Oct 17, 2013, 01:53 PM

Oct 2013

of the village where the mysteries take place--the village of "Three Pines," and how she gives her characters flaws, even if those characters are the "good" ones.

Also I found this:

"Her oeuvre features Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, head of the homicide department of the Sûreté du Québec. The novels, although set in the province of Quebec, feature many hallmarks of the British whodunit genre, including murders by unconventional means, bucolic villages, large casts of suspects, red herrings, and a dramatic disclosure of the murderer in the last few pages of the book."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Penny

Also it comes through in her books that's she a very progressive person politically, though that doesn't make or break the book with me.

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

11. I'll try again...

Reply to Lex (Reply #10)

Thu Oct 17, 2013, 02:10 PM

Oct 2013

I'd really like to get into her series. A friend of mine raves about her on Facebook.

elfin

(6,262 posts)

5. Haven't read her newest, but a fan

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Wed Oct 9, 2013, 10:15 PM

Oct 2013

Also really like the Donna Leon Series in Venice.

Nay

(12,051 posts)

12. Yes, I love her books. I'm on the library wait list for her latest. I usually

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Sat Oct 19, 2013, 10:58 AM

Oct 2013

do not like or read 'cozy' mysteries, but hers are much different because they evoke such a beautiful setting and have such rounded characters that the usual thinness and flatness of a cozy mystery are not present in her books.

And yes, make sure to read them in order so you can get to know recurring characters well and follow the changes in their lives.

CTyankee

(65,300 posts)

13. thanks!

Reply to Nay (Reply #12)

Sat Oct 19, 2013, 01:57 PM

Oct 2013

Mz Pip

(27,939 posts)

14. Just started one.

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Tue Nov 12, 2013, 10:53 PM

Nov 2013

Our book club was looking for an easy read for November. Beautiful Mystery.

I just started it. Seems like it might be interesting.

TBF

(34,761 posts)

15. I love that series -

Reply to CTyankee (Original post)

Thu Nov 14, 2013, 09:34 PM

Nov 2013

How the Light Gets In is particularly accomplished but the whole series is good. Enjoy!

(and you were guided corrected - the backstory of Inspector Gamache is told over the course of the novels and many things are resolved in How the Light Gets In so it is best to start at the beginning so you're not missing anything in those sub-plots).

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