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My review of the Pale Horse

(Contains spoilers!)

Lone_Wolf 24 Aug 09 at 5:10 p.m. GMT

This contains spoiler information. Show

I've just managed to lay my hands on that title and after reading it, want to share my impressions.

First, it has been interesting to notice that Poirot and Marple universes are not separate, through Poirot - Miss Oliver (or the Despards) - Mrs. Dane Calthrop - Miss Marple (the Moving Finger) link.

The use of occult themes in the book was sinister and masterly. I had some creeps during the depiction of Thyzra's dark arcane ritual. Due to the presense of friends of completely "rationalistic" Poirot and Marple, I thought that all the supernatural stuff would turn out to be a fraud at the end, but I started to have some doubts during the reading of the novel. The solution to the fraud surprized me and made for a nice unexpected twist. 

I wasn't much surprized by the identity of the villain, but it's hard for me to be surprized by it now, since at that stage of reading AC, I suspect every character who has a name regardless of who they are or their actions. Using your common sense, it's easy to realize that Osbourne, is, at least, lying about his observation of seeing Venables in the fog, although usually, trying to use common sense in the question of the identity of the murder in AC novels will lead you nowhere (actually, since it took time for me to remember the plot of "The Moving Finger", my prime suspect was Mrs. Calthrop. Then I switched to suspecting Ginger). 

The good-vs-evil theme introduced by Mrs. Calthrop and Lejeune at the end gave the work a kind of cosmic signifigance. The "Evil is not something superhuman - it's something less then human" is a classic deep Christie quote (although the experience of it for me was a bit dulled here, because I knew that quote before reading the novel).

I liked the fact that Mrs. Oliver stands on her own here. Makes her a bit more well-rounded character.

Speaking about the bad things, I liked the characterization of the narrator, Mark Easterbrook... in first two-three chapters. His being a historician was rephreshing (esp. since I am a history student myself), but I was dissapointed that it didn't really do anything for his characterization. The only thing it did in the novel was providing him with an excuse to visit Mrs. Tuckerton - otherwise, he could have been an expert on economy or the art of throwing pebbles without changing anything. Compared to characters like Henrietta in "The Hollow", whose interests and profession plays a vital part in their lives, he was bland, with few things making him different from, say, equally bland Colin Lamb from "the Clocks". I think that Dame Agatha missed a characterizaion opportunity here.

Also, while that is not a legitimate criticism of the novel, I'm tired a bit of happy romantic subplots in AC's works. I yearn for a novel without any romantic subplots, or, better yet, with a failed romantic subplot. (I'm well aware that such AC's works do exist, too).

It's interesting to note that, according to the Wikipedia, that novel saved at least two lives (google the Wiki article on the novel for details).

Overall, I can describe that novel as good-ish. Maybe not a masterpiece, but definitely worth a read. 7/10.

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22 replies

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Frndorfoe 25 Aug 09 at 6:22 a.m. GMT

I also at first began the book with the impression that 'all the supernatural stuff would turn out to be a fraud at the end', but I too started to have the same doubts as you! The solution, while not really surprising me, was quite fulfilling.

About the romantic sub plot, I agree with you on the point that a book without any romantic sub plot would be better. I'm not sure about the failed one though because most of the books that do have that kind of failed romances portray the women as whiny, short sighted creatures who refuse to see the evil in the men they have fallen for even after the men have been revealed to be unworthy of their trust. In The Pale Horse I rather enjoyed the romance as the character of Ginger was not like that at all. She was spunky and strong. Being a woman myself I prefer strong, independent female characters.

I would give this book 8/10. It is definitely worth reading. I myself have read it at least two-three times.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

I agree w/ your rating, Lone Wolf.

And I suspected Osbourne too - but only in the last few chapters. I also liked Mark Easterbrook, however I always thought that he should have ended up w/ Poppy and not Ginger. Because I think Mark needed a more sensitive type of girl and Ginger was kind of rough and tumble :-). But that brings me to the subject of romance in a mystery novel: I love it! To me it enhances the story because you (or at least I do) look forward to seeing a happy ending between likable characters. And many of AC's best mystery books center around love and all the difficulties that go w/ it.

Back to Osbourne:I thought that his reaction, when he was found out to be the culprit, was one of the most dramatic scenes that AC ever wrote! It still creeps me out just talking about it.

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

" To me it enhances the story because you (or at least I do) look forward to seeing a happy ending between likable characters"

Oh, I do think that it's a positive aspect of it. But it gets stale after a while. I liked the ending of the Hollow, although for the main character it's bittersweet.

"I also liked Mark Easterbrook, however I always thought that he should have ended up w/ Poppy "

I liked him only in the first few chapters. The beginning, with the obseravtions about hidded threats in routine domestic noises, was one of the best beginnings I've read in AC. But he got rather bland soon, which was dissapointing, since he definitely had potential.

Oh, and Poppy is an idiot.

Frndorfoe 25 Aug 09 at 3:06 p.m. GMT

I totally agree, Lone_Wolf. Poppy is an idiot and no matter how dull Mark Easterbrook was, (I agree with you about that too) he did not deserve to end up with someone like Poppy. It's not that Poppy was bad. It’s just that Ginger was so courageous and resourceful and had helped Mark so much with his investigation (face it, without her the truth may have never been found out), that they seemed like soul mates to me. It would have been a shame if they did not end up together. And I agree with you about The Hollow. too.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 4:40 p.m. GMT

Lone_Wolf

Oh, and Poppy is an idiot.

LOL! Yes,  I agree w/ you both, she was ditsy. But I think she and Mark were like yin and yang, you know. I guess I just didn't like Ginger; I thought she was a pretty dull character even if she did help Mark w/ the case.

Lone_Wolf

I liked the ending of the Hollow, although for the main character it's bittersweet.

I'm assuming you mean Henrietta? It was a sad ending for her, but to be honest w/ you no matter how much she was in love w/ John she still had no business having an affair w/ him (not that I am implying that you said it wasn't wrong). So the only characters I really felt sorry for in the end were Gerda and John's kids.

Frndorfoe 25 Aug 09 at 4:58 p.m. GMT

Yeah, having an affair is not welcome by me either. But I didn't care much for John and Henrietta anyway. In the end these two characters left me feeling cold. I did not feel anything for either of them. Neither pity nor dislike. Just nothing. But Midge and Edward were just perfect. I loved how they ended up together. BTW, Bundle have you read The Hollow as a play? I have read The Hollow both as a play and as a novel. I must say that I am partial towards plays and The Hollow as a play was far more entertaining for me than as a novel.

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

"But I think she and Mark were like yin and yang, you know. "

Orly? He slightly despised her, if anything. And Mark isn't really the type to surround himself with dumb people so that he can feel superior.

"In the end these two characters left me feeling cold. "

"But Midge and Edward were just perfect. I loved how they ended up together. "

You're way more conservative on these issues then me. I am able to feel sympathy to an adulterer and the act of getting together isn't good to me in itself. Having said that, Midge and Edward were right for each other, and I liked them. But they are secondary characters for me.

I don't think that the ending is "sad" for Henrietta. It would be for a weaker character, but not for her. That's why I like her.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:09 p.m. GMT

Hi Frndorfoe!

I have not read The Hollow as a play. Is there a big difference between the novel and the play?

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

Lone_Wolf

And Mark isn't really the type to surround himself with dumb people so that he can feel superior.

I'm wondering if AC initially thought about Mark and Poppy ending up together but then changed her mind to Mark and Ginger.

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:15 p.m. GMT

"I'm wondering if AC initially thought about Mark and Poppy ending up together"

I hope not. The horror.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:16 p.m. GMT

Hehe. You really don't like Poppy! She's got a nice name, though :-)

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:17 p.m. GMT

The name is stupid.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:18 p.m. GMT

Do you at least like the name Bundle?

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:19 p.m. GMT

Yes. Bundle sounds cute enough to be likeable, but not cute enough to cause diabetes.

GKCfan 25 Aug 09 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Bundle, in the play version of The Hollow, Poirot is deleted, and the emphasis is as much on character development as it is on detection.  Many extraneous plot points are dropped, but the basic storyline is the same.

And I enjoyed your review a lot, Lone_Wolf!

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:20 p.m. GMT

Have you all read The Sittaford Mystery? It also has a lot of taro cards, and spiritualism themes in there too.

Bundle_ 25 Aug 09 at 5:22 p.m. GMT

GKCfan

Bundle, in the play version of The Hollow, Poirot is deleted, and the emphasis is as much on character development as it is on detection.  Many extraneous plot points are dropped, but the basic storyline is the same.

And I enjoyed your review a lot, Lone_Wolf!

Thanks GKC.

I don't know if you have read the New to Christie section, but I changed my name from TheMole to Bundle!

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:27 p.m. GMT

Returning to the theme of the novel, I'm surprised I didn't mention the effect the name of it has. It casts a bit of sinister subtext from the very beginning and reinforces the good-vs-evil concept.

Frndorfoe 25 Aug 09 at 5:42 p.m. GMT

Lone_Wolf

"In the end these two characters left me feeling cold. "

"But Midge and Edward were just perfect. I loved how they ended up together. "

You're way more conservative on these issues then me. I am able to feel sympathy to an adulterer and the act of getting together isn't good to me in itself. Having said that, Midge and Edward were right for each other, and I liked them. But they are secondary characters for me.

So what if Midge and Edward were secondary characters? I still like them. For me a character that is likeable is likeable. It doesn't matter whether they are secondary or not. And I didn't say I disliked Henrietta. I just didn't care about what happened to her as a character. And as far as being conservative goes, I might never do a thing a like that but I don't judge other people for what they do. It's their life. Live and let live. That's my motto.

GKCfan

Bundle, in the play version of The Hollow, Poirot is deleted, and the emphasis is as much on character development as it is on detection.  Many extraneous plot points are dropped, but the basic storyline is the same.

Yes, GKCfan. You are right. The play and the novel have the same storyline but there is more emphasis on character development. That is why I enjoy The Hollow as a play more. In fact, I am rather fond of almost all of AC's plays.

To Bundle, Yes, I have read The Sittaford Mystery. The beginning of the book was very interesting. But the solution was not that exciting. It begins with an eerie atmosphere and a hint of the supernatural but the ending was rather a let down for me. Overall, I did enjoy reading the book but it's not one of my favorites. I'd give it 5/10.

Lone_Wolf 25 Aug 09 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

"So what if Midge and Edward were secondary characters? I still like them. "

Sure, what I meant that they were secondary for me in their likeability as well.

Henrietta seems like a bright enough character for me to warrant an emotional reaction. Then again, I can't tell you how your brain should be wired.