David Pinner (1940–2025)

Two views of Isaac Newton and his disputes with...well, with nearly everyone. His famous temper is on display here; his dispute with Hooke is the focus of the first play and his dispute with Liebniz is center stage in the second offering. Newton is interesting not just because of his brilliance, but because his famous rages are a departure from the polite civility of London society. He was unable to stand even the slightest hint of criticism, and was famously rigid in his morality and show more Puritanical ethos. His heretical religious beliefs are also spotlighted in these offerings. Both the authors, but particularly Pinner, allude to the possibility that Newton was homosexual, though scholars are unwilling to go so far, because the evidence consists of absolutely nothing other than his close relationships to some male friends and his lack of a close relationship with women. Interesting, well written, and well researched, these plays allow us to come to grips with the reality that brilliance is not always wrapped up in a pleasant package. show less

“In any case, baby evil is more beautiful than grown-up good.”

This book is just plain crazy. An inspector goes to a remote village to investigate strange goings on. Is it witchcraft of some sort of supernatural chicanery? Is it a cult? And is it wise to investigate any of these things so close to the Midsummer celebrations? Hmmm...

Creepy kids, creepy church leader, and, well, creepy everyone! Lots of sexual overtones too! The reason I didn't rate this higher is that the author gets very show more carried away with the language of the book - much too over-the-top and flowery! The material is crazy enough, the words didn't need to be so overwhelming! I did like the twist at the end though. Good one! show less

A Pagan-Christianity Crime-Mystery that was the basis for the 1973 movie "The Wicker Man". All the elements that were in the movie are in the book, but nothing like the movie. There is the barkeep's temptress daughter, there is a weird thing with rabbits, there are sex orgies, there are pagan rites, but in the book they are used to almost comic elements in shaking up the Inspector who comes to the village (not on an island) because of a murder. The opening sentence of the book is fabulous, show more but sets the tone for more how the movie turned out rather than this fairly straightforward British crime mystery. Those seeking to read the "book version" of the famed cult movie will either not finish the book or be disappointed. However, if you take it for what it is, a late 60s mystery that can be humorous and strange, you may rather enjoy it. While the original press is hard to find, and expensive, record label Finders Keepers reprinted a version exactly like the original with its beautiful cover art. Written by actor/playwright David Pinner. show less

An allegedly missing girl brings a police officer to an island of pagans.

2/4 (Indifferent).

It all builds to an ending that's spoiled by the poster, and in the meantime doesn't offer much of anything except the protagonist being bad at his job.