GENRE AND STYLISTIC PECULIARITIES OF THE CRIME NOVEL “A BANQUET OF CONSEQUENCES” BY ELIZABETH GEORGE

Abstract

The research endeavors to systematize the typological peculiarities of the woman’s detective prose of Elizabeth George, as well as generalize the specifics of the “crime novel” through the prism of her work “A Banquet of Consequences”.
We established that the text of the novel of the American author covers several ordinary “cases”, which are linked in one sequential chain. It also showcases such stylistic know-hows as subjective text organization, “the assimilation of detective narration”, the twins system, many-dimensional characterization of the policewoman (and her complicated relationship with the police authorities), the main heroine’s work-life conflict, epic narration domination, and the description of the by-the-book investigation process.
Elizabeth George uses a well-known method of “unfolding” of the detective storyline, where different evident and hidden motives are being revealed and analyzed. The slow-paced exposition gears down the events and creates the effect of the expanded epic narration of the crime novel. At the same time, she tackles both personal and professional conflicts between and within the characters.
We learned that the main reason behind the policewoman’s choice of lifestyle is the fact that she is forced to work in the team of the dominant men. Therefore, the heroine’s combines two images, being both an “exploited” member of the police unit and a depressed “disguised” woman. By building the plot and the system of characters of the crime novel, Elizabeth George tries to complete the process of the police officer rediscovering herself as a woman. To bring this idea to life, the author creates the twins system, which, on all structural levels, incorporates one essential element – changing of clothes.