Book Club

Non-Series Novels & Stories

For those of you wanting to discuss Agatha Christie's standalone books, such as And Then There Were None. 

Beware spoilers and remember we'll be able to add the most insightful comments to the stories section. 

If you can't find your favourite one, don't worry, we'll be adding them in the coming weeks.

Warning: These discussions may contain spoilers!

The Man in the Brown Suit

Jemma 05 Sep 09 at 11:38 a.m. GMT

The real life "Major Belcher" persuaded Christie to portray him in this book when she sketched the plot on her travels to South Africa. Given the real life influence, is this characterisation of the Major significantly different to her portrayals of other villains?

When mild-mannered clergymen care so much about Cabin 17, this leaves Anne suspicious of her travelling companions and what they have to hide. Which one should she follow when she lands in South Africa?

Of the confusing occurances that are evident in the book does Christie push these too far? From a piece of paper on a tube station, to the yearning for adventure, love and romance overseas - is there a natural link?

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109 replies

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Puffinjill 10 Oct 09 at 7:02 p.m. GMT

Having a real life template for Eustace Pedlar at hand makes, in my opinion, his characterisation more vivid. I can sense that AC thoroughly enjoyed putting him on papaer and being able to control what he does and says. Perhaps this was her only way of gaining any acendency of him as he sounds a formidable character from her descriptions in the Autobiography.

But, to me, the delight of the book is Anne. In her, AC invested her own love of travel and adventure. Plus she was gloriously in love with her own husband at the time of writing and this gives Anne and her relationship a passion that never quite appears again in any of her books.

Yes, sometimes it is a little confusing and stretches the imagination, but it full of interesting people, beautiful locations and a sexual frisson that just lures the reader on. I'm not asking for the reasons why things happen in the plot when I'm reading this book, I'm just swept along by it and loving every minute of the ride. Why can't I find a man like that....

Bundle_ 11 Oct 09 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I'm not asking for the reasons why things happen in the plot when I'm reading this book, I'm just swept along by it and loving every minute of the ride. Why can't I find a man like that....

Or ones like Anthony Cade (Chimneys), Derek Kettering (Blue Train), Charles Arundell (Dumb Witness), Adam Goodman (Cat Among the Pigeons), or Thomas Royde (Towards Zero)...*sigh*

Puffinjill 11 Oct 09 at 6:41 p.m. GMT

You've got it girl!!! Can't you tell, there has been so little romance in my life!! I'm so glad I'm not the only one out here sublimating (if thats the right word) a real life regret with this fiction. Any others you can think of? How about Dr. Lord? Colin Lamb? I could go on...

By the way, I'm glad you see Thomas Royde in that light. I was beginning to think my brain was going soft! I'll go and lie down now.

Bundle_ 11 Oct 09 at 10:52 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

By the way, I'm glad you see Thomas Royde in that light. I was beginning to think my brain was going soft! I'll go and lie down now.

Hahaha! I didn't think of him in that "light" until I saw Julian Sands play him in the adaptation.

As for Doctor Lord...he has a kind disposition but he isn't "attractive" looking. Colin Lamb....mmm....he's too bland.

More handsome AC characters, let's see....Bobby Jones (Evans), to a certain extent David Hunter (Taken at the Flood), also to a certain extent Simon Doyle (Death on the Nile), oh and Oliver Manders (Three Act Tragedy).

Can you think of anymore?

Puffinjill 12 Oct 09 at 7:59 a.m. GMT

Oh,DEFINATELY David Hunter! How could I of forgotten him?! Dr Lord may not be "attractive" but his personality is and the way he loves Elinor - wouldn't we all like to be devotedlt admired from afar as she was by him! So his singlemindedness in love is the reason I find him attractive. Colin Lamb... yes, well, maybe that IS just me (perhaps I'm so used to bland) and my brain really is a bit odd.

I shall spend my day giving this subject some thought and see if I can think of any more. That should get me through a dull monday!!

Bundle_ 12 Oct 09 at 3:44 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

wouldn't we all like to be devotedlt admired from afar as she was by him!

You make a good point!

I've also thought of another one: Nigel Chapman (Hickory Dickory Dock).

TAKEN AT THE FLOOD

*SPOILERS*

*SPOILERS*

*SPOILERS*

I loved David Hunter, he was full of charisma and he was attractive! I was so dissappointed when AC chose him to be the culprit! If that hadn't happened the book would have been on my 10 favorite AC list.

Puffinjill 12 Oct 09 at 7:06 p.m. GMT

Getting back to the original thought (come on, Bundle girl, get a grip!!), I still feel The Man in the Brown Suit is simply about passion - passion for travel, passion for living and the blossoming of Anne's passion. It just feels fresh and alive. Other characters, such as Henrietta Savernake, have a more mature sexuality but Anne is youth; she acts according to that youth, and that keeps the storyline buzzing along and fresh each time I read it. As I said before, who could blame the girl? Wouldn't we all like a life like that?

(I'm still thinking, though Bundle, and I'll let you know if I think of anymore!!!)

Even Race shows up well in the masculine role of 'strong and silent' older man. What say you?

Bundle_ 12 Oct 09 at 7:16 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Getting back to the original thought (come on, Bundle girl, get a grip!!)

LOL. Okay, I'm trying, only I've just remembered John Eardsley a.k.a Harry Rayburn (The Man in the Brown Suit (see, I'm staying on topic now)) *sigh*.

Even Race shows up well in the masculine role of 'strong and silent' older man. What say you?

Race? Mmmm...Well, his feelings towards Anne was touching.

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 7:16 a.m. GMT

Back on topic and focusing on the best bit of the topic too! Have any of AC's other male characters been portrayed in such a base, masculine way as John Eardsley/Harry Rayburn? Oh, what CAN I say about the man? Almost brutish in his treatment of Anne at times, but HOW attractive that makes him. The pages fairly sizzle when the two of them are sparking off one another!!

And Race does come over well in this book. He seems to be 'Race mark 1' - AC's first mention of him, and based, I think, on older, attractive, colonial men she had met. He bares little resemblence to the Race of later books as she developed the character. But I'm glad we have this early, tantalising view of him.

By the way, can you think of any to add to the list from Marple books? Craddock is an appealing man, if not overtly attractive. Any thoughts?

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 12:48 p.m. GMT

I find that the relationship between Anne and John/Harry is somehwat similar to Victoria's realtionship w/ Jim (I think that was his name) in They Came to Baghdad. Only John became more caring towards the end but in the begining he was less caring towards Anne. And Jim became less caring towards Victoria at the end whereas he was caring at the begining.. I liked him a lot too. What did you think of him?

As for the men characters in Marple books, I can't think of any. Most of the men seem more retiring in the MM books.

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 2 p.m. GMT

Do you mean Edward Goring, who Victoria followed to Baghdad? I'm assuming you aren't referring to Richard Baker, who she finally stays with! Edward had the glamour, certainly, but definately not a nice guy!!

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 5:23 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Do you mean Edward Goring, who Victoria followed to Baghdad? I'm assuming you aren't referring to Richard Baker, who she finally stays with! Edward had the glamour, certainly, but definately not a nice guy!!

Yes, that's his name Edward Goring. I had forgotten.I liked him up until a certain point...

Certianly not that Richard baker guy! Yuck!

Puffinjill 13 Oct 09 at 6:59 p.m. GMT

Well, he did come over a little pompous, but there must of been something about him or the projected future with the very lively Victoria couldn't have happened. Maybe opposites do attract!!

I'm struggling to think of anyone who fits the bill in any Miss Marple book. Craddock was as near as I could get and Neele came over very well in Pocket full of Rye, but neither of them exactly set the pulse racing!!Oh dear, there I go again......you must be a bad influence on me Bundle!!

Bundle_ 13 Oct 09 at 7:29 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Oh dear, there I go again......you must be a bad influence on me Bundle!!

LOL! Okay, I'm stopping :0)

Puffinjill 14 Oct 09 at 6:43 a.m. GMT

NO, no!!!!! Please don't! I'm sure we are making insightful literary comments on this thread and it would be a shame to stop.

Plus it's brightened up a dull week for me, so I thank you!

Bundle_ 14 Oct 09 at 3:32 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I'm sure we are making insightful literary comments on this thread

Sure, talking about handsome literary characters is very insightful ;-)

But I have thought of another: George Challenger from "Peril at End House".

Puffinjill 14 Oct 09 at 6:52 p.m. GMT

I always viewed him as a little dim even though he was a devoted kind of guy! Can't say I cared for his little sideline in dealing.

I'm still thinking. God, it's so STRESSFUL!! Oh, and very informative and insightful too, naturally.

Maybe, um, Charles Hayward? Perhaps a bit bland again. Oh, Oh, OH, I have it.....Richard Carey!!! Over to you!

Bundle_ 14 Oct 09 at 7:47 p.m. GMT

Which book was Richard Carey in? I don't seem to remember him.

Adam_Scarlet 14 Oct 09 at 10:03 p.m. GMT

Richard Carey was in Murder in Mesopotamia. :)

Puffinjill 15 Oct 09 at 6:17 a.m. GMT

Thats the one!! Darkly handsome, brooding.......and obviously I will also be making more intellegent comments about him and his character portrail, but they seem to have gone from my mind at the moment. Just thinking handsome....brooding.....hot desert....