Reviews

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

ramblings's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

ljesica's review

medium-paced

3.5

 

Agatha Christie was the queen of mysteries in her time.  But perhaps her biggest mystery is the one she took to her grave.  Where did she go?  In December of 1925, after her husband told her he was leaving her for his mistress, Agatha disappeared for 11 days.  When she was found, she claimed she had no memory of where she’d been.  If you watch Doctor Who, you’ll know it involved an alien wasp.  This novel gives a more down to earth version of what may have happened. 

This novel is told from the perspective of the mistress, Nan.  While it did give accounts of where Agatha may have been, it was more a story of growing up during The Great War and of being a woman in those times.  It was definitely interesting.  And tragic.  But it gives you an idea of why she would pursue Agatha’s husband so relentlessly.

In the end, this book wasn’t really what I thought it was going to be about but I liked it all the same. 

klilja's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

jmicweber's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the focus on the women in this book. Very interesting exploration of how our past and the stories we tell ourselves inform our present decisions. Also explores how hard it can be for women to change our priorities. The ending belabored the theme too directly for me, otherwise very thought-provoking. 

ddiazmoron's review against another edition

Me gustó la idea, pero la trama se siente muy lenta. No me interesa Nina, o al menos no toda su historia de vida. ¡Quiero saber qué pasó con Christie!

khaining's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

whatnikkiread's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

3.0

fergieg's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

4.0

The infamous story of Agatha Christie's disappearance was so well presented in this book! I really enjoyed the way it was written, from the perspective of her husband's mistress.
It also touches upon darker themes; the Catholic Church and the stigma of unwed mothers, the 'healthcare' they offered, where painkillers and 'punishments for your sins' were commonplace in the name of the greater good. Harsh topics, alongside the mystery of the disappearance.

I found the whole story quite gripping, and sort of felt like I was reading an AC novel at one point. I definitely would recommend this book.

adventuresofabooksquirrel's review against another edition

3.5

Meh.