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jasmineehare's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Racial slurs
a_ira's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Ableism and Mental illness
elliotcanread's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
It pains me to say this as an avid Agatha Christie reader but this was not good.
The beginning 50 or so pages I felt were especially weak and the plot not very interesting or high stakes.
For the first time reading one of her books I figured out the ending half way through.
I also give these books a lot of leeway when it comes to certain topics such as mental health and general women's depictions due to the time period Agatha Christie was from. But I have to admit the comments on adoption really did bother me. It seems like she herself has problems with adoption and those who are adopted and I'm not sure why. It was mentioned frequently throughout the book how a characters mother wasn't their 'real' mother and he not her 'real' son. It was just unnecessary and not plot relevant.
The beginning 50 or so pages I felt were especially weak and the plot not very interesting or high stakes.
For the first time reading one of her books I figured out the ending half way through.
I also give these books a lot of leeway when it comes to certain topics such as mental health and general women's depictions due to the time period Agatha Christie was from. But I have to admit the comments on adoption really did bother me. It seems like she herself has problems with adoption and those who are adopted and I'm not sure why. It was mentioned frequently throughout the book how a characters mother wasn't their 'real' mother and he not her 'real' son. It was just unnecessary and not plot relevant.
Minor: Mental illness and Ableism
There is repeated mention on a certain characters mental state and she is referred to as being suspected of being 'a cripple'. I wouldn't say the ableist comments are particularly prominent but there are enough I feel to require a warning.bybookandbone's review
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
One of Agatha Christies better novels, out of a career of good novels.
This one was a sort of relaxing book as the case is a cold case and the mystery is solved by collecting memories of 'elephants' or older people who had bits and pieces of the story.
The ending became quite obvious about 3/4s of the way through the book but I found that didn't ruin my enjoyment.
This one was a sort of relaxing book as the case is a cold case and the mystery is solved by collecting memories of 'elephants' or older people who had bits and pieces of the story.
The ending became quite obvious about 3/4s of the way through the book but I found that didn't ruin my enjoyment.
Moderate: Mental illness and Ableism
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