THE HOLLOW NEEDLE by Maurice Leblanc
A Review by Warren Bull
Originally published in 1911, The Hollow Needle is one in a series of
work about the criminal mastermind Arsene Lupin. Lupin’s daring exploits,
clever escapes, extraordinary physical abilities and ability to outwit the
police make him larger than life. He is a character like d’Artagnan. Reading requires a greater suspension
of disbelief than most novels. The
heroic Lupin interrupts the action from time to time to make florid speeches
about his own brilliance.
Lupin does not appear for about the
first third of the book. One
chapter was written in the first person while all others were written in the
third person. I noticed that every
false message sent tricked whoever received it. Every disguise was successful. An English detective named Holmlock Shears put in an
appearance.
But none of that detracts from the
breathless pacing or sheer fun of the novel. It opens in the middle of a robbery and continues with
action and suspense. I think I
would have enjoyed this even more as an adolescent because throughout the book
a seventeen-year-old student matched wits with Lupin. The contestants were well matched.
I recommend this for a fun read
with the flavor of the early 1900s.
The Profiteers by
E. Phillips Oppenheimer A review by Warren Bull
The novel was published in 1921. It was one of many novels, written
by Oppenheimer. He is credited with at least fifty works of fiction.
The Profiteers is
very much a book of its time. The hero is intrepid, i.e., brave, wealthy,
handsome, brilliant, relentless, athletic, a gourmet, a patron of the arts and
well mannered. The heroine is completely desirable, i.e., beautiful, refined,
resourceful and intelligent. The villain is dastardly, i.e., rude, crude,
lecherous, cunning and not handsome.
None of them changes in any substantial way over the course
of the novel. The hero has problems to overcome, but once he enacts the scheme
he hatches, he suffers no setbacks along the way.
The language of the book is stilted, but more readable today
than other novels of the time. I was not able to predict the way the hero would
act. For a novel where not much happens, the pace is good. It is an
entertaining work and a good read. I can see why the author was popular.
Warren, it sounds like a fun read. I'll have to write down the title and hope to find it somewhere someday.
ReplyDeleteso much fun to read your reviews. I remember books similar to these at my grandparent's home. I've been a Rex Stout fan ever since.
ReplyDeleteAnother fun novel from the past! Thank you, Warren, for dredging these up for us.
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