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arkwen452's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Hollow unfolds as a dated contemporary narrative following the lives and relationships of urban middle class, and somewhat quirky, group of people. The story primarily centers on a Doctor, John Cristow, his family, his work and the extra relations he has. I do like these forms of Hercule mysteries where the readers spend most of the their time with the supporting characters rather than spend so much time on Poirot.
I must admit that I did not care that much about John or his death. John did not come across as "alive" and thrilling as everyone kept making him out to be. I did however have strong interest in the women in this story that seemed to be side-line characters of interest. They are always the one more relatable and human. For me that was Midge, and John's wife Gerda. And the very quirky Hollow's host Lucy Angketell.
I must admit that I did not care that much about John or his death. John did not come across as "alive" and thrilling as everyone kept making him out to be. I did however have strong interest in the women in this story that seemed to be side-line characters of interest. They are always the one more relatable and human. For me that was Midge, and John's wife Gerda. And the very quirky Hollow's host Lucy Angketell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Blood
alx7p's review against another edition
5.0
I personaggi più belli e meglio dettagliati tra tutte le opere lette della grande Agatha.
Lo metto sicuramente tra i 3 più belli della scrittrice.
Lo metto sicuramente tra i 3 più belli della scrittrice.
frumpburger's review against another edition
3.0
“Finally,” I thought, “a murder victim I am truly happy to see die!” But, boy, the casual racism is hard to overlook.
allofeternity's review against another edition
5.0
This one may have just taken the cake for my favorite agatha Christie book, like woah
bibliocamera's review against another edition
2.0
Poirot writer Sophie Hannah says this is her favorite of Agatha Christie’s novels.
It is my LEAST favorite by far.
I REALLY thought this novel was boring. It is very hard to read about characters that are not relatable or interesting.
When something FINALLY happened it was a great relief. I hoped it would pick up the pace. Except the murder victim was not someone I cared about at all. So, solving this murder was barely interesting to me. The “psychology” of these characters was not compelling either.
Agatha Christie herself even admitted this book would have been better without Poirot. Since he has more of a cameo than a starting role. Something I felt keenly in the story.
When reading a “Poirot” novel it is maddening when he doesn’t appear until around the half way point and then only reappears from time to time. I want to spend time with him, not this dysfunctional bunch.
It is my LEAST favorite by far.
I REALLY thought this novel was boring. It is very hard to read about characters that are not relatable or interesting.
When something FINALLY happened it was a great relief. I hoped it would pick up the pace. Except the murder victim was not someone I cared about at all. So, solving this murder was barely interesting to me. The “psychology” of these characters was not compelling either.
Agatha Christie herself even admitted this book would have been better without Poirot. Since he has more of a cameo than a starting role. Something I felt keenly in the story.
When reading a “Poirot” novel it is maddening when he doesn’t appear until around the half way point and then only reappears from time to time. I want to spend time with him, not this dysfunctional bunch.
mirai_iro's review against another edition
3.0
Read for Read Christie 2021 Challenge. Yes I'm aware I was a bit behind on finishing it mid-February. I was going to read Agatha Christie chronologically last year but halted in order to do this challenge. This one is the first Hercule Poirot I read that doesn't feature Hastings (last one was [b:The Murder on the Links|6392944|The Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot, #2)|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327933709l/6392944._SX50_.jpg|625995] and I definitely did not enjoy his presence). I like how this one is written in multi perspectives of all the suspects as well as Hercule Poirot himself, instead of only one narrator telling the story like in Agatha's earlier books.
TBH I did not like John Christow's character from the start. Henrietta Savernake can say all the good things about him but he's still a man who cheated on the wife that he married as an overcorrection from his previous relationship. Henrietta's character kinda confused me as well. As an independent and intelligent woman who works as a sculptor for a living, she sure did put herself really low in front of her lover. The love story between Midge and Edward is kinda nice tho.
TBH I did not like John Christow's character from the start. Henrietta Savernake can say all the good things about him but he's still a man who cheated on the wife that he married as an overcorrection from his previous relationship. Henrietta's character kinda confused me as well. As an independent and intelligent woman who works as a sculptor for a living, she sure did put herself really low in front of her lover. The love story between Midge and Edward is kinda nice tho.
alifeofherown's review against another edition
mysterious
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
albanueva's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent read, as usual. It didn't quite reach the five stars because of the ending, which I felt a bit rushed and anti-climatic. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed it.