The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group discussion
This topic is about
And Then There Were None
Group Read Discussions
>
June 2022 Group Read: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
Mod
Mod
And Then There Were None is actually very short, easily read within a few hours. For discussion purposes though, I think we'll do the first five chapters (again, very very short) between now and the 8th of June. If you can't limit yourself to what happens in those chapters, there is a spoiler thread for this book.
Who's read this before?
Nancy wrote: "Happy June. And Then There Were None is actually very short, easily read within a few hours. For discussion purposes though, I think we'll do the first five chapters (again, very very short) betw..."
That sounds like a good plan!
I've read this book multiple times. It is one of my all time favorite books. I am definitely looking forward to re-reading it and hearing other thoughts on the book.
Mod
And Then There Were None is actually very short, easily read within a few hours. For discussion purposes though, I think we'll do the first five chapters (again, very ve..."
Excellent! I'll be looking forward to your comments, Shanequa. And because the chapters are so very short, reading a few at a time is not a big deal.
The setup for this story is really well done. With a minimum of words, we're introduced to ten distinct characters, we know the setting and the problem. It's rare for an author to be able to open a complex work so efficiently and still be able to draw you in. That's a master at work. And she makes it all look so simple!
I agree Andrew! It is quite the skill to balance setting up the mystery without giving too much away and providing enough detail to properly set the stage and engage the reader. Agatha Christie does that perfectly in the first few chapters. I'm always hooked right from the beginning when I read it, And as been mentioned this is not a long book. With so few pages this could easily feel rushed but I find the buildup well paced which I also find very impressive.
Mod
Not just that but she also clues her readers in as to what's going to happen pretty much right away. Before the group of ten even come together, and as Blore is still on the train making his way, an "old fellow" tells him that "the day of judgment is at hand..." which Blore just sort of blows off. Well done, I say; it really does set up what follows.
I agree with the comments above. It's a very easy read and AC does an amazing job at providing a lot of information in just a very few words. It's like a textbook for aspiring writers.
Mod
I read it a few years ago, my favorite Christie probably. I prefer noirs to classic mysteries but this one is a must read for all mystery fans.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Agreed. I also really enjoyed her The A.B.C. Murders, which is also a good puzzler.
Mod
Mod
don't
watch the 1960s movie adaptation. I watched when I was young and uncritical but trying again recently ended my misery after 15 minutes. It was wretched."
too late. I've actually seen four different versions at this point. If you're going to watch an adaptation that more than any of them captures the feel of the novel, the BBC miniseries (2015?) is the best. The absolute worst was the one where they set the action in Africa (80s). I wanted to stick a fork in my eye within the first 15 minutes.
Nancy wrote: "Agreed. I also really enjoyed her The A.B.C. Murders, which is also a good puzzler."Thanks for the recommendation, will check it out.
Mod
Thanks for the recommendation, will check it out."
You're welcome.
Mod
I, too, have read this multiple times. I also like The A.B.C. Murders. Christie is one of the mystery writers you can read multiple times.
I've watched 2 adaptations, and I second Nancy's recommendation for the 2015 BBC One version. I'm visualizing those actors as I read this for the first time (which is surprising given that I've read all 38 Poirot novels).I agree with the comments above. I've read through ch 10 by now. Knowing the identity of Mr. Owen allows me to note how wonderfully manipulative Christie's storytelling is. Her writing is also significantly better than in the Poirot novels, even including Murder on the Orient Express, with concise character portraits and the building of foreboding and then tension as the deaths begin.
I guess I always envision the 1945 version - I have the dvd. This is the one with Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston.
Jan C wrote: "I guess I always envision the 1945 version - I have the dvd. This is the one with Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston."I have seen this version too. It was very good, but I like the BBC One iteration a bit more even though they could have omitted some of the ghostly feelings.
Woman Reading wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I guess I always envision the 1945 version - I have the dvd. This is the one with Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston."I have seen this version too. It was very good, but I like the ..."
I haven't seen it. I think it is only available here on Acorn or maybe Britbox. I don't get either of those yet.
Mod
I have seen this version too. It was very..."
Actually, it's available on Prime video if you have that.
Mod
I have seen this version too. It was very good, but I like the ..."
If you read the book carefully, those "ghostly feelings" of the BBC miniseries are there, most especially in the case of Vera Claythorne who keeps seeing the day on the beach with Cyril in her head and who imagines him wanting her to join him.
Nancy wrote: "If you read the book carefully, those "ghostly feelings" of the BBC miniseries are there, most especially in the case of Vera Claythorne who keeps seeing the day on the beach with Cyril in her head and who imagines him wanting her to join him."I've finished the book, and I did notice that Vera felt haunted. In the adaptation though, it seemed to take the film into the supernatural direction. Wasn't there some weird scene with a ghost while she was at the sink?
The imagery and identity of the serial killer in the adaptations were too strong for me not to think of them while reading this book. So I ended up assessing how and whether the killer could do the job while reading the book. It's too bad to lose that element of surprise.
Mod
Yes, that's always a problem for me too. I generally prefer reading the book prior to the film for just that reason.
Mod
Nancy wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Woman Reading wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I guess I always envision the 1945 version - I have the dvd. This is the one with Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston."I have seen this version to..."
I'll have to look for it.
I will start this book soon, most probably over the weekend, and hopefully catch up. I will add my comments as I progress.
Mod
terrific!
Mod
Nancy wrote: "I have had a terrible week -- our very close, almost-family friend died, and it has hit me very hard, especially since the funeral (Friday) came at a time we could not get away to be there. So I'm ..."My condolences. Mods are volunteers and shouldn't be "on" 24/7 anyway (though it's much appreciated).
Nancy wrote: "I have had a terrible week -- our very close, almost-family friend died, and it has hit me very hard, especially since the funeral (Friday) came at a time we could not get away to be there. So I'm ..."Sorry for your loss. Take as long as you need.
Mod
Thank you. I do like popping in at least once during the day, just to check updates etc.
Mod
I think I'm okay now, and thank you!
I know the feeling Nancy. Last week a close friend of ours passed away unexpectantly. Which makes it worse he wasn't 50 yet. There hasn't been any funeral for him. Like you in taking it very hard.
Mod
Also, you are all aware of Christie's original title of this novel, right? Good grief.
Nancy wrote: "Anyway, back to the book now. I've been doing a bit of reading about this novel, and as it turns out, there's another book that came before this one that's similar. It's called The Invisible H..." Oho, is this what put the idea in Christie's mind?
And, yes, I am aware of her original title. Murder on the Orient Express is the only other Christie novel I've read within the past couple of years. While she didn't use the N-word in that book, the clear belief of the English's superiority was unmistakable, certainly against non-British white peoples.
Even in this one, the rigidity of English society by class/ socioeconomic levels was apparent.
I have two quibbles with the plot, which I'll mention in the spoiler thread.
My review - www.Goodreads.com/review/show/4778668543
Mod
I can't exactly say for sure but who knows? It could have. And speaking to your comment about the "rigidity of class/socioeconomic levels" here, it's like that pretty much in all of her books. Then again, you get that with her contemporaries as well -- Dorothy Sayers immediately comes to mind.
Nancy wrote: "And speaking to your comment about the "rigidity of class/socioeconomic levels" here..."I had read the Poirot and Lord Peter novels more than 10, likely 15, years ago. I confess that I did not notice the racist beliefs held by the authors. I had only noticed that all their characters were white, that Brits did not like / respect foreigners (even white ones like Poirot), and the English were very class conscious and would reinforce those barriers between the socioeconomic classes. Perhaps I would notice more with re-reading. But there are too many books in the world. And when I had re-read Murder on the Orient Express since joining GR, Christie seemed to be a sterile writer who concentrated only on the puzzle and who occasionally tossed in a romantic pairing for more emotional flavor. It's not worth repeating 38 Poirot books to find out whether that impression is incorrect.
This is my favorite standalone Christie of all time. I've never seen any of the adaptations, but it is just so much fun.
Nancy wrote: "I have had a terrible week -- our very close, almost-family friend died, and it has hit me very hard, especially since the funeral (Friday) came at a time we could not get away to be there. So I'm ..."So sorry to hear that Nancy.
I finished the book and really enjoyed it, although I had the odd feeling that I had read it before.
Mod
Thank you, my friend. I cheered up a bit when my awesome husband bought us plane tickets for late August to go and visit his wife in PA.
Mod
Yes! But then again, there's been a number of mysteries that sort of used this book as a how-to guide.
Mod
I had read the Poirot and Lord Peter novels more than 10, likely 15, years ago. I confess th..."
More than a few of Sayers' books expressed anti-Semitic viewpoints worked into conversations here and there. In more recent years I've become pretty attuned to this sort of thing -- I just mentally slap the author in my head after squirming very uncomfortably. It doesn't prevent me from reading her work though -- I happen to very much enjoy Lord Peter.
Nancy wrote: "In more recent years I've become pretty attuned to this sort of thing -- I just mentally slap the author in my head after squirming very uncomfortably. It doesn't prevent me from reading her work though -- I happen to very much enjoy Lord Peter."Yes, my radar to racism and prejudices has improved in more recent years as well, especially since I joined GR and write reviews.
The Lord Peter novels are my favorite in the Golden Age detective fiction group. There is merely one iota of doubt that Sayers would be toppled off of the Golden Age pedestal. But as there are too many new books to read, Sayers is pretty secure there. 😉
Nancy wrote: ...I cheered up a bit when my awesome husband bought us plane tickets for late August to go and visit his wife in PA"You'll probably think it's funny that the first time I read this I wondered why your husband was taking you to meet his wife...
Mod
You'll probably think it's funny that the first time I read this ..."
lol ... that most certainly was poor sentence construction. I can only laugh at myself.
The Mystery, Crime, and Thriller Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Golden Age of Murder (other topics)Black Beadle (other topics)
Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
Murder on the Orient Express (other topics)
The Invisible Host (other topics)
More...
Here's the non-spoiler thread for Nancy's discussion of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.
Good reading!