BRAZEN TONGUE. by Mitchell, Gladys.

BRAZEN TONGUE. by Mitchell, Gladys. < >

BRAZEN TONGUE.

Edition: Early printing.

London: Thriller Book Club, (1942). Hardcover - The 11th title in the series featuring Mrs Bradley and one of the most difficult to find in any early edition - Jason Half comments that "Gladys Mitchell had a pretty low opinion of Brazen Tongue, calling it 'a horrible book' in an interview with Barry Pike decades later." but then he asks "what of this horrible book's pleasures? First and foremost would be the British-village-gearing-up-for-war backdrop, presented in fascinating detail as the town of Willington adapts to the still new and novel accoutrements of land defense. War spirit specifics are sharp and often very comic, from Mrs. Bradley knitting a khaki balaclava helmet to chauffeur George mischievously siphoning rationed gas to aid his employer.. . The number of relations represented in this book is also cause for celebration. Not only niece Sally but also her mother, Lady Selina Lestrange, make an effort, with Sally operating the radio at the Report Centre and Lady Selina investigating blackout infractions. (Says Sally: 'She loves going round and knocking up all the people in the village and telling them to cover up lights. She's passed her anti-gas stuff, too, and I believe she sleeps in her tin hat.') Formidable defense attorney (and Bradley offspring) Sir Ferdinand Lestrange oversees the Control Room at the Centre, and even the villagers make an impression, bearing surnames like Coffin and Mort or possessing outsized personalities, like Mrs. Commy-Platt, the self-proclaimed owner of Willington. Added to this, Mrs. Bradley actually gets to employ her psychiatric training when she pays a memorable visit to Doctor Lecky's asylum. The prose and dialogue are consistently fast and engaging, and though the plot may be too tangled for its own good, one cannot accuse 'Brazen Tongue' of being boring." 214 pp.

Condition: Good overall in flexible red cloth-covered boards (some wear to the covers, corners slightly bumped, no free rear endpaper, no dj)

Book ID: 88588
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