Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha ChristiePublisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers 2006
Hardcover 288 pages
Shameful confession time: I have never read Agatha Christie. I know! I'm a complete bibliophile, love British literature and have never read one of the most famous of English crime authors? Shocking! I've watched countless episodes of the Miss Marple series on the BBC (I especially liked Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple) and of course everybody has watched Murder on the Orient Express, yet I have yet to sit down and enjoy one of the great novelists of the 20th century. And I'm sad to say that it was another television program, Dr. Who, that finally convinced me that I should give it go.
One of my favorite Miss Marple television programs is The Murder at the Vicarage. I remember liking that one exceedingly well so I decided that I should try that novel first. Well, there were enough changes in the story from the television program to the book that it felt like a fresh story, but with much more charm in the book version. Christie's writing is simple and easy to follow, with enough action that the story moves along quickly. Her description of village life in St. Mary Mead is rich and full and each of her characters, no matter how minor, are developed with such care that you feel that you know each one intimately. And besides the wonderful writing, I can't helped to be charmed by the very Bristishness that is Agatha Christie. I swear that I giggle every time I hear the word "vicar" or the phrase "Bob's your uncle"!
The British slang may throw off younger readers, but I would put forth that the subject matter is perfectly suitable for teens and may be a good introduction into adult mysteries and British literature. Older lovers of Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden or other old fashioned mysteries should definitely give Christie a try.
0 comments:
Post a Comment