Dorothy L. Sayers Libri

Nel 1931 Agatha Christie e altri dodici celebri scrittori di gialli, soci del cosiddetto "Detection Club", nel quartier generale di Kingly Street a Londra, decisero di collaborare alla stesura di una detective story unica. Ogni partecipante doveva mettersi all'opera, continuando la storia che un altro membro del Club aveva precedentemente imbastito. Nessuno sapeva cosa ne sarebbe venuto fuori, né quale soluzione al giallo avessero in mente gli altri. Questa la storia che scrissero... Nella tranquilla cittadina sul mare in cui vive, l'ispettore Rudge non ha spesso occasione di trattare casi di omicidio. Ma quando un vecchio marinaio trascina a riva una barca che trasporta un cadavere da poco pugnalato al petto, l'ispettore non può perdere tempo e fa partire immediatamente le indagini. La vittima sembra essere l'ammiraglio Penistone che, in pensione ormai da qualche anno, viveva da poco più di un mese in una villa nella campagna circostante, insieme alla nipote Elma e a tre domestici. Ma la vicenda si rivela fin da subito molto più intricata di quanto l'ispettore pensasse: troppe le persone coinvolte e quasi nessuna disposta a parlare. Il proprietario della barca sta evidentemente nascondendo qualcosa, la nipote della vittima è scomparsa dal paese e l'identità stessa dell'uomo assassinato è tutto fuorché certa.

Set during World War II, this collection features radio dramas by Dorothy L. Sayers that explore twelve pivotal episodes in the life of Jesus, from the visit of the magi to his resurrection. Each episode highlights themes of faith and the kingship of Christ, providing a unique blend of historical context and spiritual reflection that resonates with the struggles of the time. The broadcasts served as a powerful reminder of hope and redemption amidst the chaos of war.

When Harriet Vane attends her Oxford reunion, known as the Gaudy, the prim academic setting is haunted by a rash of bizarre pranks: scrawled obscenities, burnt effigies, and poison-pen letters, including one that says, "Ask your boyfriend with the title if he likes arsenic in his soup." Some of the notes threaten murder; all are perfectly ghastly; yet in spite of their scurrilous nature, all are perfectly worded. And Harriet finds herself ensnared in a nightmare of romance and terror, with only the tiniest shreds of clues to challenge her powers of detection, and those of her paramour, Lord Peter Wimsey.

The narrative explores Constantine's rise to power from AD 305 to 337, highlighting his journey towards embracing Christianity. Central to the plot is the pivotal Council of Nicaea in 325, where Constantine asserts the belief that Christ is 'of one substance with God.' The latter part of the story focuses on his mother, Helena, guiding him toward understanding his need for redemption through Christ, addressing both his political and personal tragedies, including the loss of his son. This interplay of faith and power shapes the historical landscape of the era.

Set in the interwar period, this mystery novel features a compelling plot that revolves around a murder investigation involving the aristocracy. The protagonist, Lord Peter Wimsey, navigates a web of family secrets and societal expectations to uncover the truth. Sayers' sharp wit and keen observations of class dynamics enrich the narrative, making it not only a thrilling whodunit but also a commentary on the era's social structures. The book showcases Sayers' mastery in blending suspense with insightful character development.

Exploring the themes of guilt, redemption, and the human condition, this play features an airman who, just before his death, encounters citizens of Lichfield, including biblical figures and historical figures like George Fox and Dr. Johnson. These characters share their burdens of shame and fear, illustrating the collective struggles of humanity. The airman learns that the only way to alleviate their shared grief is to join the "Persona Dei," who carries their burdens and ultimately reveals resurrection and glory.

Introducing the Dante Papers Introductory Papers on Dante Further Papers on Dante The Poetry of Search and the Poetry of Statement This introductory volume of essays on Dante by Dr. Dorothy L. Sayers will be eagerly sought by the many thousands of readers who already know her vigorous and vivid translation of the Inferno. As those who have heard Miss Sayer's lectures on Dante can testify, she brings to the interpretation of the Divine Comedy a vitalizing power of analysis and re-creation. Readers of Dante often become discouraged by the mass of factual detail which the older school of historical criticism has made available; mere aestheticism, however, unrelated to the time and space, is nor likely to satisfy them either. They will find in Miss Sayers' essays enough scholarly assistance to put themselves in the position of a contemporary reader; but their attention will chiefly be drawn to the relevance of the Divine Comedy to our present day world and way of life. Miss Sayers' emphasis on the ethical, rather than on the aesthetic, or historical, significance of Dante's work, comes as a welcome and bracing challenge to the confusion regarding values, whether of literature or of life, which characterizes the present age.

This book was originally given as a talk by Dorothy Sayers at Oxford University in 1947 on the benefits of a classical education for children. It is great brief introduction to the advantages of a classical education.