Sarah Caudwell
Sarah Caudwell
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sarah Caudwell was a British novelist and barrister, best known by her pen name, Sarah Caudwell. She is often referred to as one of the most talented mystery writers of her time.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 5, 1939, in England, Sarah Caudwell passed away on December 28, 2000.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Caudwell was a British national by birth and profession. She worked as a barrister before turning to writing full-time.
Early Life and Background
Sarah Caudwell grew up in an environment that fostered her love for literature and law. Her parents were both educated individuals who encouraged her interest in reading and writing from a young age. After completing her secondary education, she went on to study English at Somerville College, Oxford University. Following graduation, she pursued a career in law, qualifying as a barrister before transitioning into writing.
Major Accomplishments
Caudwell's entry into the literary world came with the publication of her first novel, _Thus Was Adamec_, in 1987. The book received critical acclaim for its unique blend of mystery and historical fiction. However, it was her subsequent novels that solidified her reputation as a masterful storyteller. Notably, The Sibyl in Her Grave (1988) and A Pattern of Gruesomes (1992) showcased Caudwell's skill at crafting intricate plots and complex characters.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to her novels, Caudwell made headlines with her real-life adventures. Before turning to writing full-time, she worked as a barrister in London. Her experiences in the courtroom likely influenced her ability to create authentic and suspenseful stories. Furthermore, Caudwell's love for archaeology and history often found its way into her writing, adding an extra layer of depth to her novels.
Impact and Legacy
Sarah Caudwell's impact on the literary world is undeniable. Her unique blend of mystery, historical fiction, and complex characters has captivated readers worldwide. Critics praise her ability to craft engaging stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. Her work continues to be widely read and studied today, a testament to her enduring legacy.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Caudwell's quotes are often sought after because of their insight into the writing process and the world of mystery literature. Her words offer a glimpse into the creative mind behind some of the most intriguing stories of our time. As a result, she remains widely quoted and remembered for her thought-provoking comments on writing, history, and the human condition.
Quotes by Sarah Caudwell
Eleanor was charming. That is to say, her manner seemed designed to merit that description: she displayed towards us a sort of girlish archness, such as a doting father might have found captivating in an only daughter at the age of eight. The effect was as of attempting to camouflage an armored tank by icing it with pink sugar: stratagem doomed to failure.
I began to be very worried about Desdemona. We are given to understand that Othello’s courtship of her consisted almost entirely of stories beginning “When I was stationed among the Anthropophagi – ” or “I must tell you about a funny thing that happened during the siege of Rhodes.” The dramatist Shakespeare would have us believe that she not only put up with this but actually enjoyed it: can that great connoisseur of the human heart really have thought this possible?
Indeed, it is a benevolent dispensation of Providence that those who express most dread of an unorthodox advance are usually those whom Nature has most effectively protected from any risk of one.
The trouble with real life is that you don’t know whether you’re the hero or just some nice chap who gets bumped off in chapter five to show what a rotter the villain is without anyone minding too much.
One doesn’t like to appear vulgarly inquisitive. But if everyone one knows has suddenly started murdering everyone else, it would be terribly nice to know about it.
The trouble with real life is that you don't know whether you're the hero or just some nice chap who gets bumped off in chapter five to show what a rotter the villain is without anyone minding too much.
...it seems to us that the readers who want fiction to be like life are considerably outnumbered by those who would like life to be like fiction.
There are days on which Julia does not open letters. She is overcome, as I understand it, by a sort of superstitious dread, in which she is persuaded that letters bode her no good: they will be from the Gas Board, and demand money; or from the Inland Revenue, and demand accounts; or from some much valued friend, and demand an answer.
I began to be very worried about Desdemona. We are given to understand that Othello's courtship of her consisted almost entirely of stories beginning "When I was stationed among the Anthropophagi—" or "I must tell you about a funny thing that happened during the siege of Rhodes." The dramatist Shakespeare would have us believe that she not only put up with this but actually enjoyed it: can that great connoisseur of the human heart really have thought this possible?
I had already established, as you know, that it was logically impossible for Kenneth to be distressed by anything that might occur between Ned and myself; but Kenneth, being an artist, has perhaps not studied logic and is unaware of the impossibility.