Stamp Whys
Puzzlers!
Mystery
The
Clearing
History
The
Emperor's Garden
Stamps
Philately - The Fiction Connection
The Mystery Box book is the proud winner of a Silver Medal awarded by the Chicago
Philatelic Society CHICAGOPEX Literature Exhibit
Read the
Book Review by Barbara Kinne of
the APS American Philatelist
Philatelic Mysteries....sort of.
These books may particularly appeal to "completists"
- collectors of philatelic literature who value
every mention of
stamps in literature.
Even t
hough the stamps themselves
are not essential literary plot elements, the stories make for happy reading!
The books are in alphabetical order by title. The links open the Amazon.com book description page.
The Crying of Lot 49,
by Thomas Pynchon
Buy
paperback from Amazon - Approx $9.60
Buy harcover from Amazon Approx $29.66
This is 'sort of' philatelic in that it uses the postal system
as an allegory. The adventurous voyage of the executrix
of Pierce Inverity's will. Along the way, she uncovers a postal conspiracy
dating to Roman times. There are layers and layers of intrigue, seeming
confusion, Freudian allusions, and, to the fans of Mr. Pynchon, a profundity that is powerfully
affecting. A 60s cult icon, Pynchon's book is one about which much has
been written and debated. Decide for yourself!
If you want more depth about the themes of Pynchon's novel,
you may appreciate the interpretive guide by J. Kerry Grant.
A Companion to the Crying of Lot 49
Buy paperback from Amazon - Approx
$10.66
John Caldigate, by Anthony Trollope
Buy
paperback from Amazon - Approx $7.16
First published in 1879. Readers of Barsetshire and Palliser
novels, or the Claverings may want to read this in expectation of Trollope's
usual rich characterization and depiction of Victorian life. I am intrigued to see Mr. Trollope with a story in a
literary
murder anthology. You, dear reader, are on your own!
The Tribe that Lost its Head,
by Nicholas Monserrat
Nicholas Monserrat is perhaps best known for his epic
novel,
Cruel Sea. Both of these books are sadly out of print and
The Tribe that Lost its Head was not found in the Amazon.com database.
From the editor: Early in the book the Governor of Pharamaula, a fictional British
dependency off the southwest coast of Africa, is discovered surreptitiously
working on his stamp album. My appetite, whetted for more, was, alas, neglected:
only one more miniscule philatelic crumb is tossed out.
However, draping
the stamp-collector mantle on the Governor has a purpose and it was done
with affection. The story is a satire of 1950s British colonialism, yellow
journalism, and the growing independence of African states, this is hardly
a cynical viewpoint. Instead, Montsarrat manages to convey respect to a
political system while in
its inevitable death throes. The writing starts out heavy and labored bit
ultimately yields to a thrilling, lively conclusion giving much pause for
thought along the way. Good reading for those who would enjoy first-hand
views of the politics and issues surrounding the civil service, colonialism,
and race - a fine complement for many "British Colonials" collectors.
The Wrecker,
by R L Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
Buy
paperback from Amazon - Approx $14.5
Such a well known writer - and no synopsis!
Have you read this?
Pull a rabbit out of the hat
- do you know any thing more about these and other "philatelic fiction" title?
Let
me know.
Kidz | Philatelic
Mysteries
| Philatelic Sort of...
