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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I read this book decades ago and only thought to review it because I saw the Miss Marple adaption, which lead me to look the book up on wikipedia, where I discovered that it was well reviewed and one of Christie's favorites, which made me mad because I remember distinctly how disappointed I was in it.
I have read all of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries, and I have read Endles Night, which is not, in fact, a murder mystery. Yes, people are murdered if you wait long enough, but mainly it's just some guy narrating his adventures. I guess perhaps it's a "gothic romance" or something?
Now, there's no reason Christie should not have written a gothic romance, and perhaps it was my fault that I was expecting a murder mystery, since it was in a box of my parent's Agatha Christie books and said "mystery" on the back. Perhaps if I'd know it was not a mystery novel my reaction would have been different, or I would have just stopped reading.
Anyway, I remember being so bored. Eventually, very late in the game, there are deaths and twists and a realization that Christie has ripped off important points from two of her earlier novels, but most of it is just not much of anything.
It's not just that it's not a murder mystery, but that Christie fails to give us interesting characters and events that pull us forward.
Now, I was a teenager when I read this, so take this as a teenager's review, even though I'm writing it as an old man. But that teenager says, this is the only Christie novel he wishes he'd skipped.
I have read all of Agatha Christie's murder mysteries, and I have read Endles Night, which is not, in fact, a murder mystery. Yes, people are murdered if you wait long enough, but mainly it's just some guy narrating his adventures. I guess perhaps it's a "gothic romance" or something?
Now, there's no reason Christie should not have written a gothic romance, and perhaps it was my fault that I was expecting a murder mystery, since it was in a box of my parent's Agatha Christie books and said "mystery" on the back. Perhaps if I'd know it was not a mystery novel my reaction would have been different, or I would have just stopped reading.
Anyway, I remember being so bored. Eventually, very late in the game, there are deaths and twists and a realization that Christie has ripped off important points from two of her earlier novels, but most of it is just not much of anything.
It's not just that it's not a murder mystery, but that Christie fails to give us interesting characters and events that pull us forward.
Now, I was a teenager when I read this, so take this as a teenager's review, even though I'm writing it as an old man. But that teenager says, this is the only Christie novel he wishes he'd skipped.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Endless night" is written in first-person perspective. Our narrator is a man who marries a rich girl and builds a house with her on allegedly cursed ground. Disaster strikes.
The things that readers expect from a Christie novel, smooth dialogue and interesting plot are delivered.
Spoiler
In the end, it is revealed that the narrator is really in love with the companion of his wife and the two of them secretly schemed to lay their hands on the money and the big house. The narrator is mentally ill, it is hinted in the end. This makes for an interesting effect: for the whole novel, we have been in his head, seeing things from his perspective. The fact that he is actually an evil murderer.The things that readers expect from a Christie novel, smooth dialogue and interesting plot are delivered.
This was a mystery you think you know who did it and then you spend the rest of the book convinced you’re wrong and the BAM! You were right. It’s so satisfying.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread 4/2025 for Book Club. This still remains one of my favorite Christie's, though not her usual mystery but more of a psychological study. It's truly impressive how she can mimic the voice of sociopathic young man while tugging at some heartstrings. The use of William Blake's "Auguries of Innocence" to illustrate the relationship between Mike and Ellie is haunting and, like Santonix, there were several moments I also was screaming at the book for him to go the other way. Not much happens for two-thirds of the book but readers who stick with it will be rewarded with the twisted ending.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Recently reread this one because I recalled it being good but didn’t remember much about the plot. And - reconfirmed - it’s good. Really good. Especially for the late Christie era novels. It’s not a typical “murder mystery”; but yet it’s eerier and more Gothic than her typical style, with some of her best character writing and of course a classic Christie twist or two at the end. I’ll certainly enjoy rereading this one again in 10 years when I inevitably forget the plot again
Later Agatha Christie got DARK.
Summerween 2024
Summerween 2024