Tuesday, June 12, 2007

well, of course, it was obvious, wasn't it?

In honor of summer vacation, I've been rereading books I know that I read as a kid, but which I do not remember at all. On my last library trip, I picked up several Nancy Drew mysteries, including Password to Larkspur Lane.

I give away none of the intricate plot details in this post, I assure you.

In Chapter One, a pigeon crash-lands in Nancy's yard. A humantarian, Nancy is concerned for the creature's physical safety and well-being. OK, I buy that - pigeons may be public annoyances, but neither do I wish death upon such creatures. Nancy, as a compassionate being taking care of defenseless creatures sets a good example for the impressionable readers, fine.

Following a quick examination of the bird (Nancy somehow knows that no bones have been broken) her first reaction is, and I quote: I'll wire the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers and give them the number stamped on the bird's leg ring.

OK, so the idea of sending a telegram is quaint and now impossible - the book was written in 1933, revised in 1966, so that's a nice historical moment/ touch for 21st century readers. At the same time, WHAT eighteen year old knows to contact such a group? Knows what their ID badges look like? Even knows that they exist? Combines this with an in-depth knowlege of botany?

This is probably why I have not reread the book in a while - though the implausibility of the stories has actually been a lot of fun.

4 comments:

Jim Wetzel said...

Well, you know, this is Nancy Drew we're talking about. In my mind, Miss Drew is wonderfully well-informed about pretty much anything that might prove useful.

Matt Brown said...

Really, Lemming, this is funny stuff. You should definitely blog through some more Nancy Drew books. Maybe I should pick up some Hardy Boys...

Anonymous said...

It sounds like a true classic. Of course, kids just accept these things. I don't know what I'd think if I reread books from my childhood. :)

Jason said...

I don't get to read nearly as much as I would like to. But I'm hoping to read To Kill A Mockingbird this summer, based on Jim's recommendation.