The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side

[Judy]

I once went to a talk by critic John Sutherland about film and TV adaptations of 19th-century classics and he said that the Sherlock Holmes stories had been adapted far more than any others - moving into the 20th century, I don't know how Christie compares, though!

[Tara]

I'm getting into Chapter 8, and I feel as though the book is just picking up some steam. Christie really took her time to develop the characters, which is a skill that is missing from a lot of modern books.

There has been quite a bit of discussion in this thread about all of the societal changes and their impact on the village. Its interesting to me that besides the development, the main attraction causing a stir was the new supermarket! We really take those for granted these days, with all kinds of exotic and out of season items available whenever we want them, but that was a real revolution at that time, and clearly it was met with a bit of skepticism.

[Susan]

Tara, I totally agree that all of these touches really make the book work and are also fairly interesting historically. My mother said she preferred supermarkets to the local shop, where you had to be served and stand in line. It was especially limiting then, as you had to register with particular shops during rationing and my mother was never one for gossip, which she said was all that went on while people were queuing!

[Judy]

In that case I'm sure Miss Marple would see the value of sticking with smaller shops where she can pick up all the gossip, Susan! :)

[Tara]

Even today small towns are all about the gossip, so the advent of the supermarket didn't do away with that trend!

I also found it interesting that her doctor prescribed a murder mystery as a way to cure her lethargy. You could imagine today that they would write her a prescription she didn't really need.

[Marcus]

I'm finding the story extremely readable. I like specially Miss Marple's participation; the ways she reacts to the novelties. One can easily see the development of the character.

[Susan]

Miss Marple might have embraced coffee shops, had they arrived in St Mary Mead :)

Marcus, so glad you are enjoying the novel. I agree, it is interesting to read a whole body of work, involving a character, in order, as it shows you how they develop.

[Judy]

Another change on society reflected in this book is a greater range of jobs being open to women, with a female professional photographer. Christie definitely kept an eye on how times were changing.

[Tara]

My take on this might be impacted by the fact that I'm reading out of order (as I started the challenge with this month's read and it is my first foray into Marple territory), but one of the elements that I find intriguing is the way that Marple is involved in the investigation. I am already into Chapter 14, and her role is much more subtle than you often see in amateur or armchair detectives who are examining crime scenes and questioning witnesses and suspects. In fact, she uses her ordinariness to her advantage, as people let down their guard around her. I have no clue if this is an overall arc of her character or unique to this story, but I find it quite refreshing.

[LovesMysteries]

Tara wrote: "In fact, she uses her ordinariness to her advantage, as people let down their guard around her."

That's a great way to put it -- using her ordinariness to her advantage. Without it she wouldn't be able to let down her guard with anyone because they would see right through her -- to see that she is attempting to gain information to her own advantage.

[Judy]

Yes, often other characters seem to do a double take as the story goes on - gradually realising just how sharp the fluffy, gentle "Aunt Jane" really is!

[Susan]

She poses no threat and she certainly plays on that. As she says in other books, if a police inspector asks a question, it puts people on their guard, but they expect old women to ask questions.

[Judy]

Two more cast members I really liked in the Joan Hickson version were Barry Newman (?) as Jason and the actress playing Miss Knight, not sure of her name, who was hilarious. Sadly even her cooking looks awful in the TV film - an almost raw boiled egg!

[Judy]

Meant to add I also like Claire Bloom as Marina - such a brilliant actress.

[Susan]

We are getting to the end of the month now and our next read will be A Caribbean Mystery. I wonder whether anyone thinks the Miss Marple books are improving - whether they are of a similar standard, or whether there has been one definite 'best book' so far?

[Pamela]

Susan wrote: " I wonder whether anyone thinks the Miss Marple books are improving..."

Apart from The Moving Finger (where to be fair Miss Marple hardly appears), I've enjoyed them all about the same. I definitely feel I've got to know Miss Marple better as I've gone along.

[Tara]

Susan wrote: "We are getting to the end of the month now and our next read will be A Caribbean Mystery. I wonder whether anyone thinks the Miss Marple books are improving - whether they are of a sim..."

This is my first Marple read actually (I do intend to go back and read the previous ones though), so I can only comment on my perspective from this read. I look forward to seeing how her character changes across various stories.

[Judy]

Pamela wrote: "Susan wrote: " I wonder whether anyone thinks the Miss Marple books are improving..."

Apart from The Moving Finger (where to be fair Miss Marple hardly appears), I've enjoyed them all..."

I agree, Pamela - I've enjoyed them all a lot but didn't think The Moving Finger was quite as good as the others. My absolute favourites so far though have been Murder at the Vicarage (I loved the vicar's first-person narration and the mystery was great) and Sleeping Murder.

[Brina]

I preread The Caribbean Mystery so it's one less book to bring on vacation. I used to be all for Poirot and not care much for Miss M. I like how as Agatha has aged she has had Miss M age gracefully and showed her as an intelligent senior citizen rather than feeble elderly. I have come to enjoy these later cases.

[Marcus]

I like all the Marple's books so far. The Murder at the Vicarage was certainly one of the best. In the last one (The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side) Miss Marple appears gracefully. I like the dialogues and the display of her wisdom.

[Susan]

Good to hear that Miss Marple has been popular with you all. Like many of you, I have always read far more Poirot books and there are a couple of Marple books that I am much less familiar with (I couldn't remember reading one of them at all, although I had seen it on TV). It has been nice to see her develop. I have also read A Caribbean Mystery as I am going away in August, so I am trying to clear my reading decks a bit!

[Mark Pghfan]

I've read and re-read all of the Christies more times than I can count. I love Poirot and Miss Marple equally, enjoying how they tackle things so differently.

[Pamela]

I hate to admit it, but I don't like Poirot as a character. Despite that, I have enjoyed the Poirot novels that I've read, as they've had very strong plots.

[Judy]

Sounds like I'm in a small minority in having now read quite a lot of Miss Marple, thanks to this challenge, but hardly any Poirot! However, I do intend to catch up with him too.

[Tara]

I have read that Christie came to quite dislike the Poirot character; perhaps so many peccadilloes that he was reduced to a caricature. Most of my Christie exposure has been with Poirot (and I particularly enjoy the David Suchet portrayal. He seems to fit the character in every way that I imagined him). I read a bit of Tommy and Tuppence, but the characters didn't gel with me enough to keep me engaged in their arc.

Is anyone planning on seeing the "Murder on the Orient Express" movie that is coming out this fall? I love Kenneth Branagh, but I am not sure how I feel about him as Poirot. Not quite tubby enough I think.

[Judy]

Tara, I love Kenneth Branagh too, so I'm definitely going to see Murder on the Orient Express. I also want to watch the David Suchet adaptations but will wait and watch them when I'm reading the books.

[Brina]

I don't know if I'll see the new movie, maybe eventually I will. Murder on the Orient Express is the book that introduced me to Agatha in middle school so I am partial to the original film plus the A&E series with Suchet.

[Tara]

I still have my yellowed copy of Five Complete Hercule Poirot Novels: ABC Murders / Cards on the Table / Death on the Nile / Murder on the Orient Express / Thirteen at Dinner that I remember getting at Barnes & Noble when I was in middle school as well. The cover drew me in and I was hooked.
There is something magical about books when you're a kid, that even if you're a voracious reader as an adult, doesn't have quite the same effect.

[Susan]

Poirot has always been my favourite. I know Christie became tired of him but, as she always seemed to write more Poirot novels, I assume they were more popular with her reading public and so assume I am not alone!

[Susan]

For anyone in the UK, next month's book, A Caribbean Mystery is still 99p, so grab it quickly!

[Mark Pghfan]

I'm sure I will go to see the new Orient Express movie, though I am doubtful with Branagh's look for the part of Poirot. His lack of rotundity as well as that awful mustache.

And I am also all set for the August Marple discussion.

[Susan]

We will rely on Judy to give us a full report if she goes to see the movie, Mark. Good to hear you are set for August :)

[Judy]

It will be interesting to find out what everyone thinks, and whether the reactions of Poirot experts vary from those of people who haven't read many of the books. Although I really like Branagh, I share your doubts about the moustache, Mark!

[Susan]

I suppose, to be fair, they couldn't just replicate the previous screen Poirot. The trouble was, that portrayal was near perfect to the books and so pleased fans.