Ah, Lovejoy ... he's always after women and antiques and destined to screw up at both. Why women run after him is beyond me--I'm a woman and see no attraction (and the book Lovejoy sees nothing wrong in "clouting" them, which is awful). However, Lovejoy is always *interesting*--an over-the-top, somewhat sleazy guy with an incredible store of knowledge about antiques. We don't necessarily want to invite him to dinner, but I enjoy reading about his adventures and learning his views on obscure antiques. He will do anything to save a beautiful antique, even let himself get beaten senseless to lead the fight away from one that sets his divvie bells ringing. When I first read a Lovejoy book (can't remember which one now), it was after watching every episode of the TV series, and I was disappointed that the books were quite different. Once I got past that, I was able to start again and like them--the stories are darker, edgier, and more complex than can be shown in a hour-long show. The cast of quirky characters is much broader--the television version of the characters were softened to fit family hour (and viewers enjoy a recurring, chummy cast). So, I can appreciate Jonathan Gash's storytelling and characters as they were originally meant to be. The mystery was a good whodunit, and why, and what the "Grail Tree" actually was, was intriguing. I like that Gash doesn't hold Lovejoy up to be an exemplary human being. He isn't, and yet, he's moved by the death of a man he liked to find the true killer and bring him to his own brand of justice.I'm glad I gave this series another chance.
East Anglian antiques dealer Lovejoy (no first name) tries to solve the murder of a Reverend in possession of the Holy Grail. Gash's writing is too snarky and slangy to be enjoyable, and Lovejoy too much of a horndog. There were more characters than I could be bothered to keep track of, so when Lovejoy punched a woman in a pubfight and ripped the back of her dress open (whilst noting that vintage Victorian dresses would hold together better), I had forgotten this woman was the niece of the Reverend's widow. It almost seems impossible this could have been written as late as 1979...even as satire it's offensive.
What do You think about The Grail Tree (1988)?
I really enjoy these novels, not sure why I never really got into the tv series that was based on them but I suppose that has more to do with interests of the time and the fact that books tend to outshine their small and big screen adaptations. I didn't enjoy the ending as much with this book but the unfailing English humour and weel spun story kept me interested till the end. Having read a couple from this series already I would say that this one is my least favorite but not so poor that I would give up on the series. Lovejoy is a loveable rogue.
—Derek
I read this book years and years ago and remembered enjoying the series, if not for Lovejoy, who always came off as not respecting women all that much and a bit of a not nice type of guy, but because the mysteries were interesting, centering around antiques. I like how there would be a little bit of information about certain antiques, and even how someone might be able to counterfeit one. However, fast-forward to the present and now I find myself just not enjoying this story. Between Lovejoy and his above mentioned 'qualities', I found the slang a bit hard to follow, the mystery confusing and generally most people were not too likeable.
—Susan
