這是Inspector Gamache系列的第七本書，與上一集三線發展不同，今次的案件比較單純，就只是在後花園發現屍體而已(!)。Penny的每一本書都令我知多一點知識，有時是文學，有時是歷史，更多時候是藝術。今次作者探討的正是藝術圈生態。藝術是主觀的，偉大抑或平庸，未必能一眼看穿，亦未必人人都懂得看。一個藝術家無論多有才華，都要等待藝廊老闆或經紀人發掘，再看是否能入文筆犀利的藝評家法眼。這些關口，必須一一通過，否則，你一是一是繼續等，一是轉行。主宰這圈子的人，獨具慧眼的少，跟風的多；謙虛的少，不可一世的多（作者對此多加諷刺）。藝術家易感、脆弱，未獲嘗識的便要四處打關係，做不了一流藝術家也要做作品能裝飾辦公室牆壁的二、三流藝術家。藝術品可以很美好，藝術圈卻是殘酷的，充滿功利、計算的人。
今次作者集中講一個故事，讀來一氣呵成。與好的文學作品一樣，她的故事主題性強，往往透過多個角色的遭遇來探討幾個議題，讓讀者反覆思考。今次她提出的主要問題是：「人會改變嗎？」（Did people change?)
死者Lillian是個藝評人，文筆尖酸刻薄。看評論的人讀得過癮，更傳頌她的名句，但被批評的新晉藝術家，卻會如墮地獄。一篇藝評，足以扼殺一個新人的前途。
Lilian寫的評論有多陰毒？她的名句是：
“He’s a natural, producing art like it’s a bodily function. Clever, almost a compliment. But then it veered into a scathing dismissal. Someone would remember that review. The artist himself.”
Lacoste read it and felt her skin crawl. As though she was watching a snuff film. Watching someone die. For that’s what the review was meant to do. Kill a career. To kill the artist inside the person.
破壞力有多大？
......What happened when not only hopes were dashed, but dreams and careers. A whole life?
在參加藝展時，她還要對藝術家很友善，會笑著稱讚對方，甚至合照。想不到轉頭她便會以筆傷人－－It was a chilling image（指合照）. Like seeing a person just as the truck enters the frame. Milliseconds before the disaster.
Lilian曾是藝術家Clara的好朋友，擅於操控人。Clara的好友Myrna如此形容她：
“She sounds like an emotional vampire,” said Myrna, at last. “A what?” “I ran into quite a few in my practice. People who sucked others dry. We all know them. We’re in their company and come away drained, for no apparent reason....... She fed on your gratitude. Fed on your insecurities, on your love for her."
現實中我也見過這種人，慣性說謊，為了傷害別人，也為自己建立一個假的形象。要知道，「慣性說謊」與偶爾說謊不同，前者可怕得多。
這個無情地傷害人的女人，終於自食其果，事業和愛情皆不順，更落得酗酒下場。但在她參加戒酒協會，彷佛變了另一個人。她表現積極，懺悔自省。但是，這個壞到骨子裡的人，真的會改變嗎？她是否在演戲？
作者用了Humpty Dumpty這首兒歌來作比喻。Lillian是推Humpty Dumpty落牆的壞人，被她推跌的是藝術家。他們跌成碎片，有人能回復原狀有人不。最後，Lillian自己卻成了Humpty Dumpty，她也跌碎了。
這段我覺得很有意思：
When people hit bottom,” she continued, “they can lie there and die, most do. Or they can try to pick themselves up.”
“Put the pieces back together,” said Gamache. “Like our friend Mr. Dumpty.”
“Well he had the help of all the King’s horses and all the King’s men,” said Myrna, with mock earnestness. “And even they couldn’t put Mr. Dumpty together again.”
“I’ve read the reports,” agreed the Chief. “Besides, even if they succeeded, he’d just fall again.”
Now she really did look serious. “The same person will just keep doing the same stupid thing, over and over. So if you put all the pieces back exactly as they were, why would you expect your life to be different?”
“Is there another option?” Myrna smiled at him.
“You know there is. But it’s the hardest. Not many have the stomach for it.”
“Change,” said Gamache.
Maybe, he thought, that was the point of Humpty Dumpty. He wasn’t meant to be put together again.
He was meant to be different. After all, an egg on a wall would always be in peril. Maybe Humpty Dumpty had to fall. And maybe all the King’s men had to fail.
意思有點像中國人所說的「置之死地而後生」。
不過，要一個人改變是很難的。有些人狀似改變了，其實變身未完，有形沒神，換湯不換藥。
所以，Gamache要知道的是，Lillian真的改變了嗎？
這小說系列之所以吸引我，是因為有裡頭有每集都出現的固定角色。作者為他們安排了吸引的故事線，並埋下伏筆，在適當時候引爆。今集幾段關係的轉變，都看得令人心痛。幸好作者有幽默感，書內不時出現一些令人發笑的對話，減輕沉重的氣氛。今次我猜中了兇手，但這並無削弱我的讀書樂趣。我反而欣賞作者著重角色的心理和動機，今次她終於能夠說服我。
今次作者集中講一個故事，讀來一氣呵成。與好的文學作品一樣，她的故事主題性強，往往透過多個角色的遭遇來探討幾個議題，讓讀者反覆思考。今次她提出的主要問題是：「人會改變嗎？」（Did people change?)
死者Lillian是個藝評人，文筆尖酸刻薄。看評論的人讀得過癮，更傳頌她的名句，但被批評的新晉藝術家，卻會如墮地獄。一篇藝評，足以扼殺一個新人的前途。
Lilian寫的評論有多陰毒？她的名句是：
“He’s a natural, producing art like it’s a bodily function. Clever, almost a compliment. But then it veered into a scathing dismissal. Someone would remember that review. The artist himself.”
Lacoste read it and felt her skin crawl. As though she was watching a snuff film. Watching someone die. For that’s what the review was meant to do. Kill a career. To kill the artist inside the person.
破壞力有多大？
......What happened when not only hopes were dashed, but dreams and careers. A whole life?
在參加藝展時，她還要對藝術家很友善，會笑著稱讚對方，甚至合照。想不到轉頭她便會以筆傷人－－It was a chilling image（指合照）. Like seeing a person just as the truck enters the frame. Milliseconds before the disaster.
Lilian曾是藝術家Clara的好朋友，擅於操控人。Clara的好友Myrna如此形容她：
“She sounds like an emotional vampire,” said Myrna, at last. “A what?” “I ran into quite a few in my practice. People who sucked others dry. We all know them. We’re in their company and come away drained, for no apparent reason....... She fed on your gratitude. Fed on your insecurities, on your love for her."
現實中我也見過這種人，慣性說謊，為了傷害別人，也為自己建立一個假的形象。要知道，「慣性說謊」與偶爾說謊不同，前者可怕得多。
這個無情地傷害人的女人，終於自食其果，事業和愛情皆不順，更落得酗酒下場。但在她參加戒酒協會，彷佛變了另一個人。她表現積極，懺悔自省。但是，這個壞到骨子裡的人，真的會改變嗎？她是否在演戲？
作者用了Humpty Dumpty這首兒歌來作比喻。Lillian是推Humpty Dumpty落牆的壞人，被她推跌的是藝術家。他們跌成碎片，有人能回復原狀有人不。最後，Lillian自己卻成了Humpty Dumpty，她也跌碎了。
這段我覺得很有意思：
When people hit bottom,” she continued, “they can lie there and die, most do. Or they can try to pick themselves up.”
“Put the pieces back together,” said Gamache. “Like our friend Mr. Dumpty.”
“Well he had the help of all the King’s horses and all the King’s men,” said Myrna, with mock earnestness. “And even they couldn’t put Mr. Dumpty together again.”
“I’ve read the reports,” agreed the Chief. “Besides, even if they succeeded, he’d just fall again.”
Now she really did look serious. “The same person will just keep doing the same stupid thing, over and over. So if you put all the pieces back exactly as they were, why would you expect your life to be different?”
“Is there another option?” Myrna smiled at him.
“You know there is. But it’s the hardest. Not many have the stomach for it.”
“Change,” said Gamache.
Maybe, he thought, that was the point of Humpty Dumpty. He wasn’t meant to be put together again.
He was meant to be different. After all, an egg on a wall would always be in peril. Maybe Humpty Dumpty had to fall. And maybe all the King’s men had to fail.
意思有點像中國人所說的「置之死地而後生」。
不過，要一個人改變是很難的。有些人狀似改變了，其實變身未完，有形沒神，換湯不換藥。
所以，Gamache要知道的是，Lillian真的改變了嗎？
這小說系列之所以吸引我，是因為有裡頭有每集都出現的固定角色。作者為他們安排了吸引的故事線，並埋下伏筆，在適當時候引爆。今集幾段關係的轉變，都看得令人心痛。幸好作者有幽默感，書內不時出現一些令人發笑的對話，減輕沉重的氣氛。今次我猜中了兇手，但這並無削弱我的讀書樂趣。我反而欣賞作者著重角色的心理和動機，今次她終於能夠說服我。
你有沒有想過有一天會不再喜歡看偵探小說?
回覆刪除我最近常想。
有啊。不過我覺得我本身對偵探小說已有偏好，我不大喜歡看連環殺人犯或過份變態的情節。我可能會看得愈來愈少。而這位作者，我覺得無論她是否寫偵探小說，我都有興趣看。
刪除你是否怕有一天會失去看偵探小說的樂趣，到時再無這種快樂？
其實不是三言兩語可以說得清。
刪除最簡單、表面的原因是，看的愈多，愈發覺有不少類似的橋段或手法，令人拍案叫絕的機會大減。
我想，對現實的失望大過在偵探小說中能尋到正義必勝的慰藉，才是較大的原因。
雲兄這份感受也很真實。
刪除現實，總是挫折多於遂順。我想，戲劇能引起我們的共震，其一，是我們認同裡面的價值觀；其二，是它帶來盼望。許多時候，理想或成功是多麼的遙不可及，然而我們依然抱有希望。輸人不輸陣！只要有希望，就有可能！
月光光，照地堂。也順祝雲兄佳節快樂！
香港的政治現實令人夢也不敢發...... 不過，都要輸人不輸陣吧～
刪除我覺得很多偵探小說已不是講正義必勝，而是講人性的扭曲，和世界的灰色地帶等。
祝雲兄和inanna兄追月快樂！
講到慣性說謊，即刻諗起689！
回覆刪除大節流流，提起佢真掃興。祝中秋節快樂，戀上春樹戀得開心！
我真係好憎689，好少有人連聽到把聲我都周身唔舒服。
刪除還未得閒睇戀上春樹，聽日要埋首工作（因上星期有點偷懶）。最近多嘢唸，好在睇咗Begin Again，套戲很uplifting。