Every now and then I check back with Google Gemini and ChatGPT to see how they’re doing — and especially how they handle tasks my students might ask them to do. This morning it occurred to me that some of my first-years who are supposed to be reading Dorothy L. Sayers’s The Nine Tailors might fall behind and ask for some chatbot help. So I asked the chatbots for summaries of the book.
Gemini’s response will be of particular interest to those who have read the novel:
Dorothy Sayers’ The Nine Tailors is a classic detective novel featuring the renowned Lord Peter Wimsey and his resourceful valet, Bunter. Set in the picturesque English countryside, the story revolves around the enigmatic death of a parish vicar and the discovery of a unique bell with nine tails.
The novel begins with the mysterious disappearance of Reverend Clement Dimmock, the rector of Fenchurch St. Paul’s.When his body is found in a nearby churchyard, the circumstances surrounding his death raise suspicions. The local police are baffled, and the case is handed over to Lord Peter Wimsey, who is known for his keen intellect and unconventional methods.
Wimsey arrives at Fenchurch St. Paul’s and quickly becomes intrigued by the peculiar bell that the vicar had been researching. The bell, known as “Great Tom,” is a relic of significant historical importance and has been the subject of much local folklore. Wimsey discovers that the bell has nine tails, a rare and unusual feature that seems to hold a special significance for the vicar.
As Wimsey delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets and hidden connections. He learns about the bell’s history, its association with a local legend, and the potential motives of several individuals who might have had a reason to harm the vicar.
One of the key characters in the novel is Harriet Vane, a writer and Wimsey’s love interest. She becomes involved in the case when she is accused of being the vicar’s mistress. Vane’s innocence is at stake, and Wimsey must prove her alibi while also solving the murder mystery.
The investigation takes Wimsey to various locations, from the quiet village of Fenchurch St. Paul’s to the bustling city of London. He interviews suspects, examines evidence, and unravels the complex puzzle that surrounds the vicar’s death.
Along the way, Wimsey encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a mischievous young boy named Basil, a mysterious stranger named Colonel Mustard, and a jealous rival named Dr. Fell. Each character adds a unique layer to the story and contributes to the overall suspense and intrigue.
The climax of the novel comes when Wimsey finally uncovers the truth behind the vicar’s murder. The solution is both unexpected and satisfying, revealing a hidden motive and a connection to the bell’s history. The culprit is brought to justice, and Harriet Vane is exonerated.
Just for the record: there is no one in the novel named Clement Dimmock, Basil, Dr. Fell, or (alas) Colonel Mustard — an interesting import, that one. No vicar is killed. Harriet Vane does not appear in this novel. And there is most definitely not a bell with nine tails. Etc.
When I told Gemini that that summary was inaccurate, I got this:
You’re absolutely right. I apologize for the oversight. It seems I provided a summary of a different Dorothy Sayers novel, likely Gaudy Night.
“Likely”? Well, no, Gaudy Night is not involved at any point. But please proceed.
Here’s a corrected summary of The Nine Tailors: Dorothy Sayers’ The Nine Tailors is a classic detective novel featuring Lord Peter Wimsey and his resourceful valet, Bunter. Set in the picturesque English countryside, the story revolves around the mysterious death of a parish vicar and the discovery of a unique bell with nine tails. The novel begins with the discovery of the body of Reverend Clement Dimmock, the rector of Fenchurch St. Paul’s. The circumstances surrounding his death —
Okay, you can stop there.
The ChatGPT summary is much more accurate, but it has its own hallucinations:
Shortly after the New Year celebrations, tragedy strikes the village. The body of an unknown man is discovered in the grave of Mrs. Wilbraham, a recently deceased woman. The body appears to have been hastily buried there after her coffin was moved to a different graveyard. The man’s face is unrecognizable, and he has no identifying papers. Lord Peter is called upon to investigate.
Through initial inquiries, Wimsey learns that Mrs. Wilbraham had been involved in a notorious jewel robbery years ago. She had been entrusted with some stolen emeralds by a man named Deacon, a criminal who disappeared after the robbery. Mrs. Wilbraham’s husband, Sir Henry Thorpe, had been a key figure in trying to recover the stolen jewels. Over time, however, the jewels were lost, and Deacon was never found.
No, that’s not Mrs. Wilbraham in the grave, it’s Mrs. Thorpe, as ought to be clear from the fact that her husband is Sir Henry Thorpe. Nor was there any movement of a coffin to a different graveyard. Also, Mrs. Wilbraham is the person from whom the jewels were stolen, not an accomplice of the thief.
It’s kind of fun to read these things and imagine the alternate-universe novels Sayers might have written. The Wimsey-Mustard Papers, Volume One.
