Sat 16 Sep 2017
Reviews by L. J. Roberts
LOUISE PENNY – Glass Houses. Inspector Armand Gamache #13. Minotaur Books, hardcover, August 2017.
First Sentence: “State your name, please.â€
It is a very hot July day in Montreal and Chief Inspector Gamache is testifying in a murder trial. The previous Halloween, a figure in a black robe and mask had stood for several days on the green. It didn’t speak, rarely moved, and finally disappeared. In this book the decisions and actions of Inspector Gamache will impact far more than the people in the courtroom.
The story opens in a courtroom. What is interesting is that we have no idea as to who is on trial or for what crime they are being tried. Yes, there is a murder, but not until we are a fair way into the story. What we do know is that more is happening than what seems to be— “Maureen Corriveau was new to the bench. … She could have absolutely no idea that she’d drawn the short straw. That a whole lot of unpleasantness was about to come her way.†–The courtroom scenes are very well done and have a tension of their own.
The more we learn of Gamache, one realizes he is the person one should aspire to be. He is one willing to take great risks that may result in him paying a high price, but necessary to achieve a goal— “’Never lose sight of the goal,’ he said, returning his gaze to his subordinates ‘Never.’†The relationship with his second-in-command and son-in-law, Jean-Guy, is strong and enviable, hasn’t always been smooth, and neither is it here. What it is, is real; human.
With the story moving back to Three Pines, we meet/are reacquainted with so many wonderful characters. Penny’s characters become real; individuals we would like to know, with whom we’d like to spend time. With each book, we learn a bit more about them and their perspective on life. We come to realize how multi-layered they are. Ruth, for example, for all her eccentricity, is a crone; a sage in the best sense. We are also made aware of the robed figure which projects a decided menace with the imagery of a bell jar being particularly effective— “’I thought it was Death,’ said Armand Gamache.â€
Managing two time periods can be challenging, and often irritating for the reader. Penny manages if flawlessly. Her writing is so visual, it is as though they are film cutaway shots, leaving the reader with no question as to where they are when.
If one is going to have realistic characters, one must also have excellent, natural-sounding dialogue. Penny often catches one completely off guard with her humor making us laugh such as with the running joke about Jean-Guy’s glasses, or the unexpected comparison— “Jean-Guy and Ruth were much alike, actually, though he’d never, ever tell his son-in-law that he resembled a drunken old woman.†–One of the best instances is also with Jean-Guy regretting not learning meditation. But one should discover his mantra for one’s self.
The plot is compelling and very current, the story keeps one so involved that losing sleep in order to finish the book is quite likely, and the originality in the story’s structure only adds to the overall quality. There are twists, and important questions which are raised.
Penny’s books are psychological studies, lessons in philosophy, and labyrinths of courage and the human spirit. They are also civics lessons in the causes of bigotry and the human cost of the drug trade. Penny reminds us of lessons we should have learned but that we are inclined to apply to others rather than ourselves. Her understanding of humankind, its strengths and weaknesses, only adds to the remarkable nature of her writing— “And a conscience is something one cannot escape.â€
Glass Houses is so good there are times one literally finds one has stopped breathing and must consciously catch one’s breath. Even so, Penny never loses sight of the fact that the book is also an excellent, and ultimately highly suspenseful, expertly crafted mystery with twist upon twist upon twist. With this book, Ms. Penny has taken another step forward as one of today’s most remarkable writers. Just when you think she can’t get any better, she does. Just when you think her new book can’t be better than the last, it is. If you’ve not read her before, you really should.
Rating: Excellent.
September 16th, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Halloween robed figure, bell jar? Sounds like Penny’s been reading Fred Vargas!
September 17th, 2017 at 6:22 pm
Louise Penny has won a lot of awards for the books in her Gamache series, but the one I read, the first one, just didn’t click for me. As I remember, I never got comfortable with Gamache as a police detective.
Maybe it was a matter of too much philosophy and character study, and not enough solid detective work. It was a while ago, so I may not be remembering it correctly.
From all the accolades from other readers, including LJ, whose opinions I trust, I can only assume that I’m in the far minority about the books!
September 17th, 2017 at 11:58 pm
The set up of Gamache and his son in law sounds a lot like Hilary Waugh’s Fred Fellows, who you could also say is someone we should aspire to be. I’ll have to try Penny again.
September 20th, 2017 at 11:45 am
David A – I hadn’t thought about that. And I do love Fred Vargas.
Steve and David Vineyard – While I always suggest that one start with “Still Life” in order to meet the characters and understand the relationships, I also mention it is not Penny’s best book. One needs to go on from there to truly understand the appeal of Penny’s writing.
September 20th, 2017 at 5:05 pm
That sounds like good advice, LJ. I’m going to take you up on it.
And here’s something interesting. This may be a first fpr this blog, a review of a book that has just debuted in the number one spot in the New York Times best seller list (9/17/17).