Question to the hive-mind:
I just finished re-reading one of my favorite 30's-era British mysteries. One of the women, a Russian former ballerina of, naturally, less-than-sterling virtue, is consistently referred to as "the Merkalova", Merkalova being her last name. There's an element of contempt in the useage, but it also has the feel of being a standard useage for a woman on the stage in some fashion.
I've seen the usage in books up to about the '50s, where a major female performer is referred to as La LastName or The LastName.
What is the source of this, does anyone know?
What is the source of this, does anyone know?
It was common in ballet, opera and, I think, theater to refer to divas and prima ballerinas and Great Lady Thespians like that.
Just read this on Neil Gaiman's blog:
So the UK edition of Fragile Things doesn't contain the stories that were in the UK edition of Smoke and Mirrors.
The US edition contains the stories that weren't in the US edition of Smoke and Mirrors.
So if you have a UK edition of Smoke and Mirrors and a US edition of Fragile Things, then three of the stories will repeat.
(Contrariwise, if you have a US edition of Smoke and Mirrors and a UK edition of Fragile Things then there are three stories you won't have read.)
Guess which combination I have? Oy.
if you have a US edition of Smoke and Mirrors and a UK edition of Fragile Things
Huh. I think that's me too.
So does that mean if you have UK only or US only, you're solid?
Signed,
Haven't bought either yet, but probably will.
I just finished re-reading one of my favorite 30's-era British mysteries.
connie, may I ask what the book is?
So does that mean if you have UK only or US only, you're solid?
Yeah, if your editions match, you'll have the complete set of stories.
connie, may I ask what the book is?
"Hamlet, Revenge" by Michael Innes. I don't read it so much for the mystery but for the characters.
"Hamlet, Revenge" by Michael Innes.
Oh, that was a fun one. It's been a while since I've read that.
