Sofa Spotlight - Celebrated Crimes, Alexandre Dumas

What's it about?

There are five crimes/stories (for want of a better word) in this book. Wouldn't recommend one a day as they are quite lengthy, although if you have nothing else to do for a week then you could always try. Anyway here are the crimes that Dumas has chosen:

The Borgias 

This required a bit of concentration and knowledge of European geography and history. I lacked that knowledge but I could still follow what was going on. Sort of. In essence this is about family politics and there is no problem murdering or bribing so long as you get what you want. That seems to be the philosophy of the Borgia family. That is until your enemies become more powerful than you and want revenge, then Borgia policy seems to be run and hide.

Joan of Naples

Self preservation at its best I think. Again it would have helped to have had a bit of geographical and historical knowledge, but I got on ok. From what I can gather Joan of Naples came into power a bit too young and didn't know how to handle it. A few murders happen, and there is a quest for justice and everyone seems to die on the same spot. I think that is what happens.

Nisida

Family protects each other from ruling prince who thinks he can take whatever he wants. Ruling prince ends up dead - probably best to ask permission before taking what you want.

The Cenci

I had mixed feelings about this one. The crime committed was a murder that was sort of self defence, but justice and punishment for said crime all got a bit messy.

Vaninka 

This had the quote about all bearded men being drunk, in it. Vaninka is in love, and lover is in her room at night. Vaninka's father decides to visit and so Vaninka and maid hide lover in chest and cover with wool. Father leaves, but Vaninka and maid discover that lover has suffocated. Now they have a body to get rid of. Which is where it all goes wrong and Vaninka turns nasty. More murder happens.

What was good?

It was an interesting read. My knowledge was stretched and Dumas writes it in a readable way, although concentration is required.

What was bad?

As I didn't know that much about European history I got lost at times.

Who is it for?

People who enjoy non-fiction and history. Or you enjoy writing that is readable about a subject that you know little about. The stories are exciting, particularly Nisida, so this could be one for you if you enjoy a good tale.