camillalovesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

During the second world war Agatha Christie wrote this autobiographical travel literature about her days on an archaeological dig in the Middle East with her husband, Max Mallowan. An easy-going and sometimes funny story, miles away from her regular crime novels. 

Both the narration and the content reminded me of the series "The Memoirs of Lady Trent", which I listened to last year, so I got a positive feeling right away. That feeling followed me mostly throughout the whole book, although I sometimes got lost in names of places and people. It was also hard to hear the difference between "Max" (the husband) and "Mac" (one of the participants on the expedition), so it was a bit confusing at times. 

I would recommend "Come, Tell Me How You Live" to those who are interested in the Middle East and/or archaeology, or those fascinated by Agatha Christie as a phenomenon. For me, who likes both archaeology and Christie, it was a lovely reading experience, even though I probably won't remember it for long.

westofthesun's review against another edition

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5.0

I was quite surprised to find this little-known work (at least to me) when browsing my university library's collection of books on Syria. A great book by the wonderful Agatha Christie, but not at all like her usual murder mysteries. This is a work of non-fiction about her life and times in Syria alongside her husband the archaeologist. Leave it to the lady of mystery to write about the experiences of the every-day life!

This book was like polite dinner conversation with one of the most interesting ladies in the world: It was not very orderly, not perfectly rehearsed or scripted, and a bit self-righteous at times, but if you approach this book with an open mind and any knowledge of the author or the era, you will find it pleasantly surprising. I am more than a little biased, but as a Syrian expatriate, I found it fascinating to read about Syria in this refreshing manner, from the point of view of an outsider in a bygone era. Especially in this time of turmoil, it took me to a very different Syria set in simpler, and dare I say, more beautiful times.

If you have an interest in experiencing a new side of Syria, or indeed, a new side of Agatha Christie, I cannot recommend this book enough. There were certainly a few eyebrow-raising moments of foreign indignation; but with the zeitgeist of the era considered, Christie's love for Syria clearly shines through, and she presents a very enjoyable portrait of both her own life at the time and of the country itself and its people. I may have slightly over-rated this book, as it is not exactly epic or revolutionary, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable, and my admiration of the tone it is set in, as well as my obvious emotional connection to the subject matter drive me to give a little bit of additional praise, hence the five stars. Great book!

drron's review against another edition

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funny informative inspiring reflective

5.0

carlacbarroso's review against another edition

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4.0

Se eu já gostava de Agatha Christie, fiquei ainda mais fascinada. O seu humor e visão dos vários momentos que viveu enquanto andava a trabalhar em escavações arqueológicas são sinónimos de momentos bem passados, tanto pela autora como pelo o leitor. Eu pelo menos achei muito engraçado algumas das situações e pessoas com quem ela se cruzou. Além disso, é interessante acompanhar como era levado a cabo escavações arqueológicas nos anos 30-40, e como encaravam as mesmas.

soniapage's review against another edition

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3.0

After a slow start, this books takes off with interesting anecdotes of Agatha Christie's time spent on digs in Syria with her archaeologist husband. Not a technical book, just interesting and highly amusing stories.

nuthatch's review against another edition

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5.0

Agatha Christie's second husband, Max Mallowan, was an archaeologist. This book is her account of an archaeological expedition the couple took to Syria in the 1930s. The archaeology of that era seems pretty shocking now. It was more pot hunting than careful excavation but it was standard practice at that time. Even so it was fascinating to read about their explorations in a Syria that no longer exists and the many cultures and religious groups that lived in the area. This book is very well written and hilarious in places. Highly recommended.

hvogado's review against another edition

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4.0

Um diário pessoal da grande escritora de policiais e mistério. Aqui revela uma parte de si e com o seu marido Max, arqueólogo em escavações no final dos anos 30, nos confins da Síria. As populações, as pessoas com quem ela contactou e ajudou. Leitura muito agradável, com um toque de humor inglês e a visão de uma parte do Médio Oriente que ainda era colonial. Hoje em dia como estarão estas aldeias no meio de uma guerra civil neste país?

littletaiko's review against another edition

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4.0

So happy that someone selected this book for me to read this year. I have long been a fan of Agatha Christie but for some reason have never read her memoir about her time in Syria until now. She has such an optimistic, humorous outlook on life that it's a bit surprising that she ended up writing so many murder mysteries. Then again, she's very pragmatic and not afraid of the realities of life.

cimorene1558's review against another edition

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5.0

I love this. It's an account of her time on the digs of her archaeologist second husband, and it's quite delightful and very funny.