Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels discussion
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And Then There Were None
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And Then There Were None - December 2014
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I read this a while back and loved it. It's the only book in a very long time that I've read all the way through in one sitting.Incidentally, I read a version with the least PC of the various titles and in the text, too, there was some highly racist language, although not any significantly racist themes or sentiments that I recall. It's just an artifact of the language of the period rather than the opinions of the author.
I don't know if the text, along with the title, has been cleaned up in more recent editions, which could be easily done with no impact on the story.
Tom wrote: "I read this a while back and loved it."Same here. If I have time, I am going to try rereading it this month...
I started reading this book this afternoon and I'm struggling to put it down - always a sign of a good book!
Mmmm I've started on this - can't see it taking me long to finish. I'm not convinced by Christie's dialogue and her characters are from a very narrow spectrum of society, but the plot is taut as a garroting wire and I have no idea how it's going to end. Thoroughly enjoying it, especially its claustrophobic setting.
I read this about 15 years ago, and I still recall the detail about (view spoiler). That memorably sent a real shiver down my spine!
What a fabulous book that was. It had one of my pet hates with detective stories - where there's actually no clue in the tale itself as to who commits the murders (unless I'm missing something vitally obvious - do tell me in a spoiler tag if I am), but the countdown and the paranoia and the claustrophobia is brilliantly done.I stand by my opinion that Christie can't write realistic dialogue for nuts but that really isn't the main point in stories like this.
As an aside, I read it in a 1941 hardback "Crime Club" edition with its original title. And I felt SO self-conscious reading it in a coffee shop - hiding the spine title in my cradling palm. I think I'd have felt more comfortable reading Mein Kampf. :)
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I started rereading this yesterday and couldn't put it down! I remember some of the surprise ending but not all so am trying hard to figure it out as I read. Phil -- I agree that the original title is now cringe-worthy :( I think I first read it with the title "Ten Little Indians" -- possibly an American-only title?
I had no idea about the original title until you guys mentioned it. I guess this is yet another argument for the discreetness that the E-reader offers to people reading in public!
Reread this book after many years. I upgraded my original rating. I recognize that the cleverness of the book is unique. For me, though, a lot of the explanation was possible but too improbable to be believed. Christie always writes about types rather than characters. Plus, the casual racism and antisemitism would make the book impossible to swallow if it were essential to the plot. In the end, though, since this book gave rise to one of my favorite spoofs, Murder by Death, I have to tip my hat in its direction.
I just finished reading the book. I know there was a controversy at the title or one of the previous titles, but I don't think that's anything that should discriminate against the actual book. I've read this before and I loved it then. I re-read it and I still love it!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Why? I just think it's beautifully crafted with a fun theme. You have an isolated location and everyone is incommunicado. No phones, no cell phones, no computers, no radio, etc. (I mean, one character uses a light signal to communicate with the mainland.)
You have characters who - allegedly - should be considered villains, yet, you are sympathetic towards them - most of them.
And, you have a delightful plot. People being murdered right and left. Will it be stopped?
It reminds me of a movie I saw years ago: "The Abominable Dr. Phibes" (1971) where a list of people is murdered one-by-one according to the Ten Plagues of Egypt. I think I'll watch the movie "Ten Little Indians" (1965) to celebrate reading the book!
Kirsten wrote: "I just finished reading the book. I know there was a controversy at the title or one of the previous titles, but I don't think that's anything that should discriminate against the actual book. I'..."
I remember the 1965 movie and it was ... very 1965! Have fun!
Please be wary of spoilers.