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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge 2023 #35 A book you meant to read last year.
Have been looking forward to this book for a long time, having read 'The Christie Affair' by Nina Gramont and watched the Lucy Worsley documentaries (not to mention 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' Doctor Who episode!!). The mystery of what really happened when Agatha Christie disappeared for eleven days in unusual circumstances is obviously fertile ground.
The writing format of this book was clever, written in two timelines as an autobiographical manuscript by Agatha detailing the rise and fall of her relationship, plus her husband Archie's experiences following the disappearance. But it felt over-long and repetitive and neither of the two characters of Archie and Agatha were attractive. I love Agatha Christie and it was hard to see her portrayed as a wet, weak ingenue.
I listened to the audiobook, and the high, breathless style of the narrator didn't seem to suit either Agatha or Archie. It might have been interesting to have a male and female voice read the two timelines?
The twist at the end again was clever, but I felt I didn't care very much by that point...
Have been looking forward to this book for a long time, having read 'The Christie Affair' by Nina Gramont and watched the Lucy Worsley documentaries (not to mention 'The Unicorn and the Wasp' Doctor Who episode!!). The mystery of what really happened when Agatha Christie disappeared for eleven days in unusual circumstances is obviously fertile ground.
The writing format of this book was clever, written in two timelines as an autobiographical manuscript by Agatha detailing the rise and fall of her relationship, plus her husband Archie's experiences following the disappearance. But it felt over-long and repetitive and neither of the two characters of Archie and Agatha were attractive. I love Agatha Christie and it was hard to see her portrayed as a wet, weak ingenue.
I listened to the audiobook, and the high, breathless style of the narrator didn't seem to suit either Agatha or Archie. It might have been interesting to have a male and female voice read the two timelines?
The twist at the end again was clever, but I felt I didn't care very much by that point...
I struggled with this one. I don't know how true to live the portrayal of Archie was but here he was insufferable. Such an unlikable main character is a turn off for me. As was "mummy's" dictates on how a woman must be regarding her mate. If nothing else thanks for the reminder how grateful I am to not have lived in such a repressed time. (If you weren't affluent white men.) Oh, and she spoils the ending of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which was both appalling and, IMO, unnecessary.
The end of the book was its saving grace for me. I enjoyed those few chapters far more than the bulk which preceded them.
The end of the book was its saving grace for me. I enjoyed those few chapters far more than the bulk which preceded them.
Not my favorite book of hers, it was quite boring and slow. The ending got slightly more interesting.
I would have given it 3.5 stars if that were possible. Overall I liked the book, but it felt a bit disjointed to me at times and some things took too long to become clear, and I found myself rolling my eyes at several points. (Maybe it was just me.) It was worth finishing, though, and as I throughly enjoyed The Only Woman in the Room I will happily delve into more books by Maria Benedict.
This book is so good! I’ve never read Christie’s novels, but wow do I have a feel for them. Marie Benedict developed such complex characters and scenarios that I was on the tip of my toes the whole way. The beginning was a bit slow for me, but once it started mentioning different clues and ideas, then it reeled me in.
4/5 stars. Totally recommend if you are or are not a Christie fan!
4/5 stars. Totally recommend if you are or are not a Christie fan!
Banal and predictable. Just didn't finding it engaging enough or important enough or life-enhancing enough.
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes