Scan barcode
mazza57's review against another edition
1.0
This is a book in the mystery genre set late 50's early 60's with very much upper class characters. It was IMP all over the place and very difficult to read certainly not a series I would follow
persey's review against another edition
2.0
The bigotry in this was jaw-dropping and pervasive even allowing latitude for its times. Worst in its way was the espousal of benevolent colonialism, to the point of denigrating the American who favored self-determination as naive and ignorant. The best aspect was the local descriptions of a world past, but in addition to the forementioned flaws the plot was silly and the protagonist a Mary Sue.
paraguaytea's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Lighthearted Quest is part travel guide book, part political exposé, all adventure story. The ‘cosy’ mystery here will propel you through the pages. It’s exciting, well told, enjoyable, and masks a quite remarkable exploration of Morocco in the mid-20th century, as well giving a glimpse into the privileged lives of the British aristocracy at the time.
The book is full of references to, and information about, such things as the visit of Queen Elizabeth II of England and her children to Gibraltar in 1954; British post offices in Morocco; conflicting international interests (British, French, Spanish, German, American, Russian, Jewish, Arab, and Berber); Edith Warton, Charles de Foucauld; the system of letters of introduction used by posh British travellers; the £100 limit on currency to be taken out of Britain at the time; tax laws; tit for tat assassinations - the list goes on and on.
It also reflects attitudes prevalent at the time. Expect people who annoyingly can’t carry their own luggage and are confident that they will everywhere be received with the respect and in the luxury to which they, as superior beings, are evidently entitled. By her own admission Julia is ‘an impenitent imperialist, who is a convinced believer in the colonial system for backward races’. However, her views, the product of her upbringing, are challenged by actual experience.
schomj's review
4.0
Like the title implies, this is a fizzy, delightful little missing-person mystery. When her childhood friend Colin cuts off all contact with his family while out of the country, Julia Probyn is drafted to find him. Using her occupation as a journalist as a cover, Julia soon sets sail for Morocco. Upon her arrival, she's surprised and frustrated to find that none of the people who would be expected to know his whereabouts are willing to tell her anything -- his bank and the consulate included. However, she's able to use her charm and tenacity to unearth clues that take her from Casablanca, to Tangier, Fez, and eventually Marrakesh -- where she briefly spots him before an explosion almost puts a permanent end to her search.
The mystery was engaging, the pacing was good, and the characters were charming -- and not just the human characters; the on-location descriptions were vivid enough that Morocco itself seemed a character in the story. Really, I found this so enjoyable I'm longing to visit Morocco myself.
One caution, however: the way Julia views people of various races and cultures and the benefits of colonialization is in keeping with the thinking of another time period. It's not malicious -- not at all! -- but it is a little disconcerting. It wasn't a constant presence in the story and I found it fairly easy to ignore, but I know different people have different tolerances for such things.
The mystery was engaging, the pacing was good, and the characters were charming -- and not just the human characters; the on-location descriptions were vivid enough that Morocco itself seemed a character in the story. Really, I found this so enjoyable I'm longing to visit Morocco myself.
One caution, however: the way Julia views people of various races and cultures and the benefits of colonialization is in keeping with the thinking of another time period. It's not malicious -- not at all! -- but it is a little disconcerting. It wasn't a constant presence in the story and I found it fairly easy to ignore, but I know different people have different tolerances for such things.
More...