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thenovelbook's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating, breezy biography of the world's greatest mystery novelist.
Lucy Worsley always has an engaging style, and she brings a refreshing level of humanity to her description of Agatha Christie.
The legendary 11 days' disappearance therefore gets a level-headed and fair treatment here, instead of viewing it as one of Christie's own fictional plots to be figured out and ghoulishly salivated over. There's an appropriate amount of respect paid to issues of mental health.
There's not necessarily much new material unearthed in this biography, but it is nonetheless a fresh and modern take on this beloved writer. I'm really looking forward to the TV program that will (I hope) accompany this bio!! I've already enjoyed the podcasts Lucy Worsley has been on in connection with this book.
Lucy Worsley always has an engaging style, and she brings a refreshing level of humanity to her description of Agatha Christie.
The legendary 11 days' disappearance therefore gets a level-headed and fair treatment here, instead of viewing it as one of Christie's own fictional plots to be figured out and ghoulishly salivated over. There's an appropriate amount of respect paid to issues of mental health.
There's not necessarily much new material unearthed in this biography, but it is nonetheless a fresh and modern take on this beloved writer. I'm really looking forward to the TV program that will (I hope) accompany this bio!! I've already enjoyed the podcasts Lucy Worsley has been on in connection with this book.
kstephensreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this biography - it was a multilayered and respectful picture of this complex and fascinating woman.
shropgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Although I started Lucy Worsley's biography of Agatha Christie at the beginning of December it is the kind of book that you have to take you time with. This book also accompanied a television series about Agatha, presented by Lucy Worsley and I have also watched this too.
First it has to be said that Worsley's writing is easy to read but still maintains a level of academic study as you would expect from this historian. There are plenty of footnotes and references.
Starting with early childhood, Worsley covers Agatha's life with plenty of references to Christie's books. The author maintains that many aspects of Christie's life can be interpreted from incidents written about in her books.
There is reference to the famous disappearance of Christie in 1926, the result of her marriage breakdown with Archie Christie. Worsley presents evidence that the mental illness and amnesia that Christie maintained she suffered was perfectly plausible despite the incredulity of the contemporary press.
There were many facts that Lucy Worsley writes about that I did not know about Agatha Christie and which this book informed me; that Christie was born in America into what was an aristocratic family, in spite of the poverty experienced as a result of a spendthrift father. Also that her second husband was almost fifteen years younger than Agatha. Agatha was a highly successful playwright having three West End shows at the same time, a detail that is not fully recognised by many. Agatha's shyness and unwillingness to disclose much about her private life means that Worsley has had to source information where she can and interpret it accordingly. Christie's books are now receiving the academic study that Worsley says that they deserve.
A really good book, a present received from a good friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is something that I shall probably re-read and gain even more from it.
First it has to be said that Worsley's writing is easy to read but still maintains a level of academic study as you would expect from this historian. There are plenty of footnotes and references.
Starting with early childhood, Worsley covers Agatha's life with plenty of references to Christie's books. The author maintains that many aspects of Christie's life can be interpreted from incidents written about in her books.
There is reference to the famous disappearance of Christie in 1926, the result of her marriage breakdown with Archie Christie. Worsley presents evidence that the mental illness and amnesia that Christie maintained she suffered was perfectly plausible despite the incredulity of the contemporary press.
There were many facts that Lucy Worsley writes about that I did not know about Agatha Christie and which this book informed me; that Christie was born in America into what was an aristocratic family, in spite of the poverty experienced as a result of a spendthrift father. Also that her second husband was almost fifteen years younger than Agatha. Agatha was a highly successful playwright having three West End shows at the same time, a detail that is not fully recognised by many. Agatha's shyness and unwillingness to disclose much about her private life means that Worsley has had to source information where she can and interpret it accordingly. Christie's books are now receiving the academic study that Worsley says that they deserve.
A really good book, a present received from a good friend and I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is something that I shall probably re-read and gain even more from it.
isabelgrace18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
4.0
szilvicsanyi's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Agatha Christie, this book is a must-read.