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mg_libros's review against another edition
4.0
84/2023
En esta ocasión acompañamos a los Mallowan a sus excavaciones en Asia. Hay mucho colonialismo y mucho paternalismo, por supuesto. Pero es una crónica encantadora de esos viajes, de cómo esta panda de ingleses se va a la otra punta del mundo para conocer cómo vivían nuestros antepasados.
Como siempre, es una escritora muy amena y se lee en un suspiro.
En esta ocasión acompañamos a los Mallowan a sus excavaciones en Asia. Hay mucho colonialismo y mucho paternalismo, por supuesto. Pero es una crónica encantadora de esos viajes, de cómo esta panda de ingleses se va a la otra punta del mundo para conocer cómo vivían nuestros antepasados.
Como siempre, es una escritora muy amena y se lee en un suspiro.
wingedwalls's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book to delight Agatha Christie fans. Other readers may enjoy it, but the real magic is getting a behind-the-scenes look at both her life and how she came to some of the settings we later enjoy in her mysteries. For example, she describes her delight in taking the Orient Express from Calais to Istanbul, how she always loved the look of it from afar and was so excited when she got to take it the very first time, and how the charm of it has never left her on subsequent trips. Well, Christie fans know what she did with this train!
Her particular style of writing, with its sharp observations and subtle humor, is just as charming in a non-fiction book as in her mysteries. I felt an overwhelming urge to find some archeological dig and offer to do all the cataloging and photography for them, just like Agatha Christie did on the 5 digs described in this book.
Her particular style of writing, with its sharp observations and subtle humor, is just as charming in a non-fiction book as in her mysteries. I felt an overwhelming urge to find some archeological dig and offer to do all the cataloging and photography for them, just like Agatha Christie did on the 5 digs described in this book.
steelcitygator's review
3.0
I have never read one of Agatha Christie's novels but you can just tell the quality of writer she is from this short snapshot into the Wild West of archeology and paleontology. The start of the 20th century was really a crazy time in these fields and this work puts a reader into the time and place beautifully. There are some French words untranslated so be warned if you don't speak that language and read the book you might need to keep a translate app/website open. That said I really did love it. Very nearly a 4* book to me. About as close as a book can get for me without crossing the threshold.
But really the part I want to point out is the ending. The last passages and the epilogue really capture that feeling you get leaving a part of your life behind. When you know your leaving and wondering if you'll get to revisit this part again or if it will only reside in your head while relaxing and reminiscing. Just beautiful writing.
But really the part I want to point out is the ending. The last passages and the epilogue really capture that feeling you get leaving a part of your life behind. When you know your leaving and wondering if you'll get to revisit this part again or if it will only reside in your head while relaxing and reminiscing. Just beautiful writing.
kouw's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst it was a bit too long and could have stood more careful editing, it is great to be taken on Mrs Mallowan's journey to Syria. This book was published in 1946 - and Agatha Christie was an upper middle class woman - so it's obviously filled with awful descriptions and there's not a bit of PC in sight.
So perhaps great is not a good description, but it's definitely amusing. Stories of a makeshift lorry getting stuck in the mud, preposterous discussions with Postmasters and 'sheiks', detailed narratives of Agatha Christie's own peculiarities: it's all very entertaining.
The description of her dealings with a group of Kurdish women is so vivid, I can hear them laugh amd imagine their dress and the way they hold themselves.
But also high expectations - putting several Syrian families out of their homes because they needed them. The way the workmen are dealt with. The tales about children in rags. It's all told with a tone that does leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Obviously, the esteemed authoress - shy and strangely socially awkward at times - finds travel and exploring thrilling and because of that, we get to share in that feeling.
Mixed feelings then. But definitely worth the read for a fan.
So perhaps great is not a good description, but it's definitely amusing. Stories of a makeshift lorry getting stuck in the mud, preposterous discussions with Postmasters and 'sheiks', detailed narratives of Agatha Christie's own peculiarities: it's all very entertaining.
The description of her dealings with a group of Kurdish women is so vivid, I can hear them laugh amd imagine their dress and the way they hold themselves.
But also high expectations - putting several Syrian families out of their homes because they needed them. The way the workmen are dealt with. The tales about children in rags. It's all told with a tone that does leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Obviously, the esteemed authoress - shy and strangely socially awkward at times - finds travel and exploring thrilling and because of that, we get to share in that feeling.
Mixed feelings then. But definitely worth the read for a fan.