When Agatha Christie died in 1976, at age eighty-five, she had become the world's most popular author. At the end of 2004, following the death ... read full description
reviews
Mar 22, 2010
Fleur
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“In August 1948 Penguin Books made publishing history when they issued one million Agatha Christie novels on the same day – 100,000 copies of each. This venture was such a success that it was repeated five years later.”
That’s an awful lot of books. And how many more have been sold – and borrowed – since then? How many films? How many television dramatisations? Amazing numbers!
You would think that everything to be said had been said by now. But no! This lovely book offers More...
That’s an awful lot of books. And how many more have been sold – and borrowed – since then? How many films? How many television dramatisations? Amazing numbers!
You would think that everything to be said had been said by now. But no! This lovely book offers More...
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Aug 27, 2010
Durdles
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A book for Christie completists. Two previously unpublished short stories make this a must. Those not so obsessed may be slightly disappointed at some of the discoveries; that Christie changed the titles of her books and characters' names sometimes is not very exciting but it is fascinating to discover that, often, she had no idea who the murderer was going to be, even as the plots were almost fully formed. If you are hoping for some insight into her genius you won't find it here as her thought
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Apr 12, 2011
Jason
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First let's be honest - this is a book meant for hard-core fans of Agatha Christie. But it might also be a curiosity for other authors that are interested in the creative process of the most widely published writer in history.
Curran unearthed a treasure-trove of Christie's notebooks where she sketched out ideas for most of her work. It sometimes reveals fascinating insight into possible alternate endings, how she developed the names of characters, and how/when she decided on a dete More...
Curran unearthed a treasure-trove of Christie's notebooks where she sketched out ideas for most of her work. It sometimes reveals fascinating insight into possible alternate endings, how she developed the names of characters, and how/when she decided on a dete More...
Feb 03, 2010
Paul
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An enjoyable book - but you obviously have to like the books & plays of Agatha Christie. I found the book a bit repetitive in places and at times I felt that the book assumed that you knew the works of Agatha Christie in depth. So it may say that AC changed the ending of such and such a book, so that 'she' didn't do it, and 'he' did instead -- but unless you know the books, you have no idea who he or she is. So it is assuming that you know more than the average reader probably would.
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Aug 03, 2011
Sheila
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I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, but I felt this book was a waste of my time and money. I did learn a little about Christie's writing habits--she had terrible handwriting most of her life (ironically getting better as she aged. What's up with that?), made lists of scenes and rearranged them to suit herself, and often did not know who the murderer would be when she began to plot the book. Interesting tidbits but not worth trudging through the book to learn such trivia. The two short stories were a
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Nov 29, 2010
PastAllReason
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Okay, well they are not so secret; they are, however, the dozens of notebooks that Christie kept during her lifetime where she plotted her stories. Written out of sequence and, in some cases, with a single title's references occurring over a number of books, it would have been a massive endeavour for Curran to review, compile, and present in a logical fashion. For anyone who enjoys Christie's work, they present new insight into the mind of the writer. My only criticism is that some of the nov
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May 27, 2010
Juicy details for any Christie fan. Although -- in many cases Curran gives a brief blurb about the book being discussed, similar to what would be on the jacket cover, then starts in on how the book appears in he notebooks. A more detailed synopsis would be useful, because, really, just saying something like "Poirot investigates mysterious affairs at a country house, where a wealthy family bickers over an inheritance," narrows it down to, oh, all of her books. Little help here! *Which*
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Dec 27, 2011
Joasia
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I was 13 when I reached for my first Agatha Christie. Since then her works have become my friends and, recently, also my academic interest. It wasn't surprising for me that, when I saw this book on a bookshelf, what I felt was a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. The book is interesting and well-written. The author presents Christie not as a superhuman writing machine but as a normal (but still, at least in my opinion, a bit extraordinary) person making shopping lists, planing parties, struggl
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Apr 10, 2010
Tricia
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First I put this on my wishlist and thought it looked interesting. Then I got it for Xmas and I was excited to start reading it. Then I found out he discussed many of the novel plots (and solutions) in detail, so I felt that I needed to round out my Christie reading so that I wasn't spoiled. Then I was overwhelmed when I realised I either hadn't read or didn't remember reading many of the books just in the first three chapters. I figured this had become a year-long task that would feel neverendi
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Feb 06, 2011
Jeane
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I have to thank my obsession and love for books,the pleasure I get from reading to Agatha Christie. At the age of seven years I was receiving books as present, Agatha Christie books. I started my collection at that age and it gave me a never ending love for books. In the end the books that give me back that pure feeling, the coziness, being me and my books are Agatha Christie books.
The Irish John Curran has an admiration for Agatha Christie which he brought with him in examining her More...
The Irish John Curran has an admiration for Agatha Christie which he brought with him in examining her More...
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Aug 25, 2011
Emma
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This book is clearly not for anyone but a hardcore fan, but I happen to be a hardcore fan. Going through all Christie adding new background information and new comments is ever-exciting. As it happens, I've only read The Labours of Hercules once and don't remember much of it, so I can also tell you need to be familiar with her work to appreciate this book. Bascially, don't even try it if you haven't read at least 60 books, it won't be worth it. This book is for those of us who have read it all a
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Aug 15, 2011
Sonia
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What can I say? I absolutely love Agatha Christie's novels and when I saw this work at a local book fair I literally pounced on it to get it. I could not wait to read it...and was not disappointed when I did.
This book offers an in depth look at this writer's works, showing the notes that were used while making them.
I found this books fascinating and well written and recommend it to anyone who is interested in Agatha Christie's works!!
This book offers an in depth look at this writer's works, showing the notes that were used while making them.
I found this books fascinating and well written and recommend it to anyone who is interested in Agatha Christie's works!!
Nov 06, 2011
ZA
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Who would Have thought The author of hundreds of interesting and meticulous plots was so disorganised? But she was, with notes for her stories often spread out over multiple notebooks with no logical cataloging or reference system in place. I love the story of how she thought of Dead Man's Folly (with her grandchildren about, no less) but more intriguing still is how she got into writing (her divorce was a motivating factor). This gives a fascinating, extensive look into how Agatha plotted, sche
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Feb 13, 2011
Cori
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Great for academic information on notes available on certain novels, but not at all a narrative on Christie's process or how each fit into her own history. So i found the book raised far more questions than it answered. If it hadn't been for the two unpublished Poirot stories at the end, i wouldn't have gone past the second chapter.
Nov 17, 2010
Khairul H.
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Must be a fan of Dame Agatha to appreciate this book. Even so, the author tends to repeat the same things and this just makes me go *twitch*. Also, he assumes you have read all the mysteries beforehand because he has no qualms about revealing whodunit. In his defence, he does state in the beginning of each chapter which mysteries will be revealed within so can't blame him really.
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Jul 02, 2010
The story of how these notebooks were found--or rather, were ignored--is fascinating. The author is at home in Christie's oeuvre; and he recognizes, with each passing notation on her part, the hint of a future plot or character. As a less informed reader, I wasn't able to recognize the references. But it is fascinating to see in detail how this most famous of mystery writers noted the ideas that came to her.
Aug 20, 2010
Kimberli
rated it:
Interesting look inside the mind of Agatha Christie. Pretty dry writing style and very academic presentation. Average fan/reader might not be able to get through it. I'm pushing to read the previously unpublished Poirot stories at the end. Might have to skip.
That said...pretty fascinating to see her process. Her notebooks are rather untidy and cryptic. No orderly progression. Some books are referenced in multiple notebooks over course of years. And then you'll see the occasional gro More...
That said...pretty fascinating to see her process. Her notebooks are rather untidy and cryptic. No orderly progression. Some books are referenced in multiple notebooks over course of years. And then you'll see the occasional gro More...
Feb 17, 2011
Sarah
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So, I really enjoyed this book and learning more about Agatha's method of writing and her dedication to details in her books (plot, setting, suspects, killing method). BUT I really think one can only enjoy it if they are avid Christie fans. I think I've read at least 30 of her books and feel like I'm a fan, but there are clearly much bigger groupies out there that probably devoured this book. All in all, it was a great bedtime read. She really was an amazing writer.
Oct 17, 2010
Sara
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 11, 2011
Johanna
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Not quite what I thought it would be. It was a lot of rather boring notes from her journals. If you have read all ms. Christie's stories, then her notebooks are little more than a synopsis of her stories with a few small changes made here and there. I did love reading 2 new poirot short stories though!
Feb 22, 2011
Carrie
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I did enjoy the two Poirot stories but this is not really a cover to cover read. It works much better for diving in and out, reading the bits about your favorite books, and trying to decipher her atrocious handwriting. Also, the enthusiasm and zeal with which the author wrote about his work was fun- that is just how I would feel on seeing the actual Notebooks.
Jun 20, 2011
Elaine
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A fascintating look inside the mind of the Queen of Mystery. It had two previously unpublished short story. The political one was silly,but "The Dog's Ball" was clever. This book made me want to re-read Christie. I'm currently reading "Death on the Nile," a Poirot mystery.
Dec 07, 2011
Jae
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Fascinating insight into Agatha Christie's method of planning her novels, short stories and plays. It neatly organizes her stories in to types, providing a natural comparison between her stories, many written years or decades apart with notes often sprinkled across several notebooks. Due to solutions given, the book is probably most meaningful to those who have read all of her stories, however it would still be of interest to someone who has only read a few. The inclusion of two unpublished Poir
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Apr 27, 2010
Richard
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Unless you are a real scholarly fan of Ms. Christie, this has way more information than you want to know. There are two previously unpublished short stories at the end. One of them should remain unpublished.
Apr 22, 2010
Julie
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Interesting. The Author takes us across each Christie novel, short story that appears in her notebooks. I have to say, I am impressed that Christie made outlines of her stories. And, I love that she had messy handwriting.
Jan 11, 2011
Ericka
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An insightful peek into the workings of a great plotter and writer, Agatha Christie. The two previously unpublished stories are gravy. Thanks, John Curran, for what must have been a labour (misspelling intentional) of love.
Oct 13, 2010
Lia
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An utterly fascinating and rare glimpse inside the mind and writing process of one of the most beloved writers of all time.
Jul 13, 2010
Sarah
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Interesting, but would be better as a companion to the novels than as a solo read. I've read most of the books discussed, but it's been a few years, so now I'll have to reread them.
Jan 13, 2011
Rosemary
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For fans only. Anybody else will be disappointed. I liked it but you really have to know the books well.
Jun 24, 2010
Rosemary
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good companion for class on agatha christie books. need to know background of her mysteries to get something out of the book.
