03-01-2008, 02:13 PM
OK. So, I've run across an older romantic suspense novel that could be classified as Gothic - "The Town Cried Murder" by Leslie Ford. The narrator is a middle-aged spinster (Miss Lucy) who tells the story as if she was talking to you right there in her parlor. Because of this informal style of narration, there are some parts that are pretty funny. The good thing about this book, though, is that the humor does not detract from the main story. There's still suspense, mystery, romance, etc. She maintains a seriousness stemming from her anxieties, and it's almost as if the narrator does not realize she's being funny. Some examples:
1: In describing one of the characters, "His head was oddly shaped, large across the skull and tapering to a pointed chin; his ears rather like an afterthought, when the proper size for his head had run low and a larger one had to be used."
2: When character above is describing the incidents surrounding the night of the murder: " 'His manner was very...belligerent. I presumed he must have been drinking.' 'As a matter of fact,' Bill Haines said placidly, 'I'd had three glasses of Miss Lucy's raspberry shrub. That stuff is mighty powerful.' A hogshead of it wouldn't discommode a fly, except for sheer bulk. I saw the Commonwealth Attorney smile a little. Mr. Luton's discreet voice went on. 'Mr. Haine's manner was equally flippant last night, sir. I had to call Mr. Seymour. He came out, and I gathered that he recognized Mr. Haines, because he said, 'Oh, it's the White Knight again.' Mr. Haines said, 'No, it's the Eagle Scout, and I'm behind on my good deed for the day. That's why I'm here - I couldn't go to bed till I'd got it done.'
There were other funny references in the book, but you have to read it to appreciate it.
1: In describing one of the characters, "His head was oddly shaped, large across the skull and tapering to a pointed chin; his ears rather like an afterthought, when the proper size for his head had run low and a larger one had to be used."
2: When character above is describing the incidents surrounding the night of the murder: " 'His manner was very...belligerent. I presumed he must have been drinking.' 'As a matter of fact,' Bill Haines said placidly, 'I'd had three glasses of Miss Lucy's raspberry shrub. That stuff is mighty powerful.' A hogshead of it wouldn't discommode a fly, except for sheer bulk. I saw the Commonwealth Attorney smile a little. Mr. Luton's discreet voice went on. 'Mr. Haine's manner was equally flippant last night, sir. I had to call Mr. Seymour. He came out, and I gathered that he recognized Mr. Haines, because he said, 'Oh, it's the White Knight again.' Mr. Haines said, 'No, it's the Eagle Scout, and I'm behind on my good deed for the day. That's why I'm here - I couldn't go to bed till I'd got it done.'
There were other funny references in the book, but you have to read it to appreciate it.