Dorothy L. Sayers said, Guinness is good for you.

A Dorothy L. Sayers novel, with her complex characters and labyrinthine plots, is NEVER brief. But Sayers, one of the 20th-century's most underrated authors, manages to capture the interests of even an American eighteen-year-old high school senior, even after nearly eighty years. I devoured them then, I continue to utilise my precious free time by picking up the occasional Sayers book. Why am I so drawn to her writing?

Sayers' novels are not separate entities, they are continuing sagas of her hero, Lord Peter

Wimsey, a seemingly-archaic, effete figurehead of the British aristocracy. Peter, to the chagrin of his family, uses his social status and fame for public service; helping those in need of an extra hand or brain or pound sterling. Peter, however, is lonely, with a string of meaningless girlfriends to his credit (or debit). He seeks, yet never finds, the equal to his intelligence.

Enter Harriet Vane. Harriet, the epitome of the 1920s "liberated woman," graduated with honours from Oxford; is a successful young mystery novelist; smokes in public; and for a while, lived openly with a man to whom she was not married. She is not a beautiful woman, but she is brilliant, witty, and staunchly independent. Peter, who had previously judged women by beauty alone, falls in love with her under extraordinary circumstances: she is on trial for the poisoning murder of her former lover.

Hoping to win her love by saving her from a hanging, Peter immediately takes Vane under his wing by being her private investigator. She is happy for the help, but makes it clear

that she is NOT going to mistake gratitude for love. Peter is certain that he has found his dream woman, but Harriet shows no intentions of being anything beyond his mere intellectual match and friend. Peter and Harriet, by matching their talents for problem- solving, eventually catch and convict the real criminal.

The weight of Peter's "rescue" falls heavily on Harriet's shoulders. She loathes being indebted to him, and makes it her mission to redeem her independence and dignity. The second Vane novel, Have His Carcase, deals with the afternath of the Strong Poison trial. Harriet decides to take a walking tour through Cornwall. Unfortunately, she discovers a body on the beach, and, it being too heavy for her to carry, takes several photographs of it. The body is indeed swept away by the tide, and Harriet's photos are the only evidence the police have of the murder. She is pleased that she could be of service to the police; perhaps to erase the stigma of having been falsely accused of murder, but the local celebrity catches the eye of a journalist (who happens to be friends with Wimsey).

Peter, thinking Harriet might need his "help", comes once again to her rescue. Harriet, however, resents his meddling and persistent marriage proposals. She tells him this, but they still end up working together to solve the murder.

Throughout this arduous case, Harriet realises Peter's intentions are not meant as degrading to her independence. A seemingly insignificant act becomes a turning-point in their friendship, when Harriet takes Wimsey's suggestion of wearing a wine-coloured dress. She begins to respect him, and he realises that he reall does matter to her. The murder case is never really solved, but the novel's psychological analysis of their relationship remains unsurpassed.

Gaudy Night, regarded as Sayers' masterpiece, is 501 pages of pure social and psychological brilliance. She examines Harriet's changing attitudes toward Peter Wimsey; her struggle for independence, and her need for completion. Harriet, attending her Shewsbury College, Oxford reunion, is harassed by a series of poison-pen letters threatening not only her, but Wimsey as well. Harriet is very upset by this, and proceeds to deduce the possible culprit. Thinking Wimsey is still in Poland on diplomatic duties, Harriet juggles her writing career and her personal detective work at the reunion.

Unbeknownst to her, however, neighbouring Balliol College, Oxford, is also having a reunion, and Balliol alumnus Peter Wimsey shows up for it. They meet accidentally, and,

Harriet, realising that the harassment problem is beyond her control, reluctantly tells him about the threats she has been receiving. Again, the two work together. Hariret subsequently seizes the chance to 'redeem' herself and get out of Peter's debt. She begins to regard his friendship as one beyond mere partnership. She also begins to respect, understand, and sympathise with him. Peter's respect for Harriet's decisions also grows, and no longer treats her as a trophy to gain.

The two eventually realise that they need each other when, at the end of the book, the culprit tells them what horrible, superficial people they have been to each other. When Harriet realises that Peter is not the type to deny her independence or career, as most other contemporary men could; and Peter realises that he needs to give Harriet her space, the two marry.

Though the two are not on an equal social standing, they are equal in both intellect and spirit. They complement each other's personalities. These two independent human beings realise that they need to compromise and rely upon each other in order to get anything dine properly. They evolve from being a mere man and woman mildly attracted to each other, to individuals who completely love, understand, and respect each other.

I also applaud Sayers' study of the flapper culture. Sayers based Harriet loosely upon herself; some say because she fell in love with her own Lord Peter character. (Perhaps this is the reason why the relationship is so well-constructed and analysed.) As Miss Sayers lived the life of her Harriet, it is refreshing to see a human being within her words; struggling with both career and romantic aspirations; with independence and co-dependence. It is something to which most modern women can relate, and Sayers' obserations of the feminine psyche are without equal. Her books are all about compromise and mutual respect, which is fundamental for successful relationships with anyone, regardless of gender.