I’ve heard some buzz on this book lately from different sources and thought I would pick the book loving Doper minds on it.
Not that I have time in my self-assigned Winter Book Reading Project, but one never knows.
My, that’s a book from way back, pre-Soviet breakup. There were several sequels, but my favorite was always the first. That bit about the playing cards was slick. The idea of a retiree applying for work as a spy at the CIA and mistakenly getting it was funny. Fun and fluffy.
My grandmother put me on to those books a number of years ago. Our favorite was the first one too.
I love Mrs. Pollifax! My mother put me on to her. I agree that the first one is the best – but they are all wonderful.
Saw the 1971 Mrs. Pollifax movie and it SUCKED. Unfortunate because they had such good material to work with. Rosalind Russell was horrible. I didn’t see the 1999 Angela Lansbury version just because I thought the casting was a little too obvious. I would have liked to see Rebecca Schull (Fay from Wings) in the part.
I ADORE Mrs. P!!!
The books are funny, quick paced and full of very memorable characters. They are definately in the “fluff” category. So don’t be expecting James Bond ( not that that wasn’t fluff as well!) But for a fun sit down and consume in an evening book they can’t be beat!
I love Dorothy Gilman, but because of The Tightrope Walker rather than Mrs Pollifax.
AHunter3 that book is fantastic! I remember not being able to put it down and just having chills go up and down my back reading it!
A Nun in the Closet is another favorite of mine by Dorothy Gilman. I read it everytime I need a good laugh!
That rings a bell from way back - thank you making me smile and remember how much fun I had reading those books.
–sidebar–
Who wrote the books about the little tiny people who lived in the mouseholes? I must get that book for my 8-yr old to read!
Do you mean the Borrowers? That is Mary Norton I think.
Yes! Thank you!
Ooh. I just picked up the first Mrs. Pollifax book from the thrift store yesterday. I never heard of these before! Now I’m looking forward to this.
(Shirley knows about the BEST books.)
Love the Mrs Pollifax books! The most recent few aren’t as good (isn’t it always the way) but the earlier volumes are among my favorites. I also really liked ‘The Clairvoyant Countess’ by the same author.
I love how they are travelogues as well as fluffy spy stories. I must try some of Gilman’s others.
She’s really great. The first book, when she decides to be spy, is really hilarious. She’s a great character.
i like her. i tend to wait a few years between books so i can read 3 or 4 in a clip.
even more fun is amelia peabody.
I did a LONG review on the Unaboard- basically the first few are wonderful, then she introduces Cyrus who is annoying, obnoxious and a nuscience to be gotten rid of every story. You can’t really avoid the really bad ones, ( Hong Kong Buddha, Lion Killer ), but you can skim 'em.
Most are great though. I could post the whole review if anyone cares. It’s LOOOONG, though.