![]() I grant that it is highly likely Pratt did read these books, but I think Foster’s case would have been helped if Pratt had mentioned these titles in his own writings. You can make a case for similarities in setting, character types and floor plans, but I felt this point was a bit belaboured. In this history the author attempts to draw parallels between the board game and various titles such as The Mysterious Affair at Styles, And Then There Were None and The Body in the Library. We then get something of a truncated genre history stopping off at Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie and A. Naturally the novels themselves have far more to them, (in the main), than that. evaluating the novels/the genre, as it is conceived in the board game. However, what we could say is that the game takes the basic narrative arc from detective novels of the time and that later commentators have perhaps made the mistake of drawing parallels in the reverse i.e. Auden’s well-known essay, ‘The Guilty Vicarage,’ as a template for the classic detective novel and points out how Cluedo follows Auden’s formula of: ‘A murder occurs many are suspected all but one suspect, who is the murderer, is eliminated the murderer is arrested or dies.’ Some readers, like myself, may find this definition something of a strait jacket. detective fiction of the era and the author asserts that the way the game taps into the classic whodunnit formula is attributable to its continuing success. It is noted here that the original game as designed by Pratt was ‘more complex than the game of Cluedo that it would famously become.’įoster then moves onto considering the literary context of the game i.e. Other friends would also lend a hand by playing the game as it was being worked out and it is interesting in this chapter to read of the earlier variations Pratt played around with, such as setting the game at a hotel rather than a country house. It doesn’t seem that he enjoyed his tool fitting work and Foster goes on to write that ‘the game itself was his response to the sheer dreariness of war and its detrimental effects on people’s social life.’ His friendship with Geoffrey Bull, who invented Buccaneer, was one factor which aided the development of Cluedo, providing him with a link to game manufacturer Waddingtons. In fact, he played the piano ‘on large transatlantic cruise ships to places like New York and Iceland,’ and ‘holiday makers would enjoy an evening’s entertainment, in grand rooms under crystal chandeliers, with a variety of acts, musical performances and party games like Murder!’ WW2 saw a career shift to working as a ‘Machine Tool Fitter at C O Ericsson Engineering Works.’ Pratt was unable to enlist due to his poor eyesight, though he also took part in fire watching patrols, which were of paramount importance, given that he lived in the industrial city of Birmingham. It seems he had a wide range of interests ranging from chemistry to detective fiction and he was an accomplished pianist. The first chapter then segues into Pratt’s childhood and early life. So I was suitably intrigued when I came across this title, which looks at the invention of the game in question a book which is shaped by Anthony Pratt’s own notes on the game and from the memories of his daughter, Marcia Davies, who also writes the foreword to the piece.Ĭreated in the 1940s, Cluedo has sold over 150 million copies in 40 countries, and in some ways can be regarded as a cultural icon and phenomenon yet was made in Pratt’s ‘spare time at home in wartime Birmingham.’ As Marcia explains in her foreword, ‘Jonathan Foster analyses the unique features of the game, which guaranteed its enduring and expanding success.’ I also found it interesting to read in the foreword about the role Marcia’s mother played in designing ‘the original layout of the house and the board.’įoster begins by imagining how Pratt set about making the game, which I think worked quite well for an opening, as it wasn’t overdone. I really stand no chance when it comes to any others… Younger siblings in the audience will hopefully be able to sympathise with me. I know there is at least one blogger who is not a fan of this game *cough* JJ *cough*, but I have always had a fondness for it, primarily due to the fact it is the one mystery themed game I can beat my older sister at. At the end of this review is a quiz to test your knowledge on this famous game.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |