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andyshute's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this more than the last one. The mystery starts off intriguing as Wexford falls to make a dent in the case. In fact, it remains this way for almost the entire book until near the end when he has one of his wondrous moments, joining the previously random aides, half thoughts and clues to reach the answer.
And this time around the denouement is satisfying, logical and refreshingly non judgemental.
I've not mentioned it before but I very much enjoy Wexford's cultured and erudite manner, his literary quotes and allusions. Burden is the perfect foil though takes a bit of a back seat.
And this time around the denouement is satisfying, logical and refreshingly non judgemental.
I've not mentioned it before but I very much enjoy Wexford's cultured and erudite manner, his literary quotes and allusions. Burden is the perfect foil though takes a bit of a back seat.
saareman's review against another edition
5.0
Wexford Awakes
Review of the Arrow Books/Cornerstone Digital Kindle eBook edition (2010) of the original Hutchinson (UK) hardcover (1978)
This was an easy 5-star rating, I think my first of the Chief Inspector Wexford series, which are usually solid 3s or 4s at least (I do have a later 1 or 2 rating coming up though). A Sleeping Life has quite an incredible twist ending, but in an interesting way it is likely more guessable in the present day than it was when originally released in the 1970s. Saying anything more about that would be a spoiler though.
The body of a middle-aged woman named Rhoda Comfrey is found stabbed to death in Kingsmarkham. She was on a visit to her ailing father from her home in London. As Wexford and Burden being to investigate they find there is very little known about the woman after she left home for big city life. Clues found on the body lead them to investigate an historical fiction author named Grenville West and his typist/secretary Polly Flinders. But the solution of the case eludes them until Wexford makes a breakthrough and explains all in the end.
A Sleeping Life continues my 2023 binge read / re-read of Ruth Rendell (aka [a:Barbara Vine|47687|Barbara Vine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263385982p2/47687.jpg] and this is the 10th of the Inspector Wexford series.
Cover image for the original Hutchinson hardcover edition from 1978. Image sourced from Wikipedia. By http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=11560886237, Fair use, Link
Favourite Quotes
There were plenty of Wexford's quotes and allusions to classic literature in this one. Some favourites below:
Trivia and Links
A Sleeping Life was adapted for television as part of the Ruth Rendell / Inspector Wexford Mysteries TV series (1987-2000) as Season 3 Episodes 4 to 6 in 1989 with actor George Baker as Inspector Wexford. You can watch the entire 3 episodes on YouTube here.
Review of the Arrow Books/Cornerstone Digital Kindle eBook edition (2010) of the original Hutchinson (UK) hardcover (1978)
The woman was dead, but death by murder is in a way not an end but a beginning. The lives of the naturally dead may be buried with them. Hers would now gradually be exposed, event after event, obscure though she had been, until it took on the character of a celebrity’s biography. - The investigators ponder the consequences of murder.
This was an easy 5-star rating, I think my first of the Chief Inspector Wexford series, which are usually solid 3s or 4s at least (I do have a later 1 or 2 rating coming up though). A Sleeping Life has quite an incredible twist ending, but in an interesting way it is likely more guessable in the present day than it was when originally released in the 1970s. Saying anything more about that would be a spoiler though.
The body of a middle-aged woman named Rhoda Comfrey is found stabbed to death in Kingsmarkham. She was on a visit to her ailing father from her home in London. As Wexford and Burden being to investigate they find there is very little known about the woman after she left home for big city life. Clues found on the body lead them to investigate an historical fiction author named Grenville West and his typist/secretary Polly Flinders. But the solution of the case eludes them until Wexford makes a breakthrough and explains all in the end.
A Sleeping Life continues my 2023 binge read / re-read of Ruth Rendell (aka [a:Barbara Vine|47687|Barbara Vine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263385982p2/47687.jpg] and this is the 10th of the Inspector Wexford series.
Cover image for the original Hutchinson hardcover edition from 1978. Image sourced from Wikipedia. By http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=11560886237, Fair use, Link
Favourite Quotes
There were plenty of Wexford's quotes and allusions to classic literature in this one. Some favourites below:
In English law one can call oneself what one likes. What you call yourself is your name. People think you have to change your name by deed poll but you don’t. I could call myself Waterford tomorrow and you could call yourself Fardel without infringing a hairsbreadth of the law.’ Looking puzzled, Burden said, ‘I suppose so. Look, I see the Waterford thing, but why Fardel?’ ‘You grunt and sweat under a weary life, don’t you? - Wexford quotes from [b:Hamlet|1420|Hamlet|William Shakespeare|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1351051208l/1420._SY75_.jpg|1885548]
Burden looked injured, and when they had said good-bye and were crossing the Circus to Parish Oak station, remarked that Clements was a very nice chap. ‘Very true,’ sneered Wexford with Miss Austen, ‘and this is a very nice day and we are taking a very nice walk.’ - Wexford quotes from [b:Northanger Abbey|50398|Northanger Abbey|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388201718l/50398._SY75_.jpg|4039699]
Loring who was a romantic young man thought that it was in just such a tone that the Shunamite had said to the watchmen: Have ye seen him whom my soul loveth? - The Bible - Song of Solomon.
Burden went to the window and said wonderingly, ‘There’s a cloud up there.’ ‘No bigger than a man’s hand, I daresay.’ ‘Bigger than that,’ said Burden, not recognizing this quotation from the Book of Kings. - The Bible.
‘Now where shall I begin?’ ‘At the beginning,’ said Wexford with perfect gravity. ‘Go on to the end and then stop.’ - Wexford quotes from [b:Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass|24213|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass|Lewis Carroll|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630487234l/24213._SX50_.jpg|2375385].
Trivia and Links
A Sleeping Life was adapted for television as part of the Ruth Rendell / Inspector Wexford Mysteries TV series (1987-2000) as Season 3 Episodes 4 to 6 in 1989 with actor George Baker as Inspector Wexford. You can watch the entire 3 episodes on YouTube here.
dennisfischman's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very dated, and I mean that in the best possible way. The mystery and the subplot about Wexford's family are completely true to the 1970's, when even middle-class white women were scrutinizing their marriages in light of the sexist division of labor (and respect) in the economy. Wexford and Burden, the odd couple of the Kingsmarkham police force, are both retro in certain of their opinions and expressions, but you can see the evolution going on in each of them. And I find it remarkable that starting from the beginning, Rendell addressed social issues--especially gender issues--that we are still grappling with today, and in an unforced way that fit easily into the genre.
caitibeth's review against another edition
4.0
For a long time, the police have absolutely NO clue about the victim's life. It makes for an intriguing dynamic as everyone scrambles to find out details about her and how she's made her living in London.
The ultimate solution came to me rather early, but I still enjoyed the book.
The ultimate solution came to me rather early, but I still enjoyed the book.
thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
4.0
“No signs of disease, no abnormalities. Except one. I think in these days you could call it an abnormality.' 'What d'you mean?' said Crocker. 'She was a virgin.'
It’s the mid 1970s and a middle-aged woman has been found, murdered. Enter, Inspector Wexford, to solve the crime. Those who’ve read Rendell’s books, or seen them on TV can feel confident that the case is in good hands.
I thought I had it all figured out and then …whoa! This is a jaw-dropper of a police procedural, traditional in style but cleverly unpredictable.
I would’ve given it five stars if I hadn’t felt uncomfortable with some of the language and attitudes that, admittedly, wouldn’t have been unusual for the times. It’s a shame because I know, later in life, Rendell worked for social justice and I believe her later books would reflect this more.
It’s the mid 1970s and a middle-aged woman has been found, murdered. Enter, Inspector Wexford, to solve the crime. Those who’ve read Rendell’s books, or seen them on TV can feel confident that the case is in good hands.
I thought I had it all figured out and then …whoa! This is a jaw-dropper of a police procedural, traditional in style but cleverly unpredictable.
I would’ve given it five stars if I hadn’t felt uncomfortable with some of the language and attitudes that, admittedly, wouldn’t have been unusual for the times. It’s a shame because I know, later in life, Rendell worked for social justice and I believe her later books would reflect this more.
raymond_murphy's review against another edition
3.0
Always well-written. The plot was based on some stuff that was ultimately offensive. It was published in the 70s. Sort of grim but also intelligent.
smusie's review against another edition
3.0
On page 26, I realized I had read this before (the old lady doing the veg). I still had to finish to find out whodunit. I must say in disappointed with myself for not figuring it out sooner. I had absolutely no memory of the major twist toward the end that explains everything.
lokroma's review against another edition
2.0
Absurd, overly complicated plot...not up to her usual snuff.
ianl1963's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook, reader Nigel Anthony; Excellent.
Reader impinged on my enjoyment a tad, at times an inundation of quotes which seems so pretentious, Wexford or Rendell that is the question?
Reader impinged on my enjoyment a tad, at times an inundation of quotes which seems so pretentious, Wexford or Rendell that is the question?