Customer Reviews

Emily Dickinson Is Dead

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
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2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I chose the book because a friend is an Emily Dickinson fan, I'm a mystery fan, I was charmed by the author's sketches, and delighted by the snippets of Dickinson's poetry. What a fine discovery! The characters are complex, subtle, and interesting. The college town setting is vivid. The plot had unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing. I learned something about the workings of dams and reservoirs, and I learned something about Emily Dickinson and her poetry, enough so I followed up "Emily Dickinson is Dead" by reading her biography. This was my first Jane Langton book. She has managed to do what a lot of writers only aspire to -- her writing is so transparent I forget the story and setting were coming to me through print on a page.

I have to totally disagree with the previous review. I found this Homer Kelly mystery refreshing and fully of marvelous characters full of human foibles. The descriptions were subtle but often verged on the hilarious. This is the book that hooked me on Jane Langton. It's too bad that the previous reader did not read the dust jacket before purchasing this book. It very clearly identifies itself as a mystery and not an study in Emily Dickinson. It's not surprising that she did not enjoy the book since it mocks stuffy Emily Dickinson scholars. But I found this book to be a skillfully written romp in weakness of human nature.

I wonder if there is a writer more perfectly suited to exploit Emily Dickinson than Jane Langton simply becuz Jane has qualities that evoke Emily -- a beautifully disciplined tone, New England quaintness, mixed with a sparkling imagination. That's in addition to the plot of this novel which is a complex mystery surrounding a newly unearthed photo of a woman who might be Emily Dickinson (in addition to the one irrefutable photo which exists). It's set in Emily's hometown of Amherst during a symposium where conflicts abound. Jane gives this story a mixture of wry humor and homespun drama, and she contributes her own line drawings. This is for those types of people who prefer quiet, thoughtful movies to loud, blazing action one. I found this novel pure joy.

As a life-long resident of Amherst, I was thrilled to see the sketches of familiar places, and read in such vivid detail a beautifully written persective of my town. A wonderful, wonderful mystery as well. Guaranteed to tickle the funny bone as well as keep you on the edge of your seat!
Well done, Ms. Langton!

I've read several Jane Langton mysteries and this one and "The Transcendental Murder" are so far my favorites. The sly humor and colorful characters are so interesting and entertaining, that the mystery for me became almost a sideshow. Jane Langton is at her best here in her depiction of eccentric characters and portrayal of puffed-up academic types. But she pokes only gentle humor, never mean or malicious.

I liked the book so much, I was sad when I finished. That is a sign of a good book!

"Emily Dickinson is Dead" is one book that I didn't enjoy out of the 4 on my summer reading list...what a slow beginning. The title made it seem like it was a book about Emily Dickinson, but instead it was about a conference to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her death.... that didn't include women and a fat girl who tried to kill a pretty one (who disappeared anyways) by burning down a building and who ended up being killed...what about Emily Dickinson HERSELF??? THAT'S who I thought the book was going to be about...not a bunch of confused people. I didn't expect it to be a biography or anything, just not what it was.