Scan barcode
A review by westofthesun
Come, Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie
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!
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!