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Christie Week 2009

Jemma 03 Aug 09 at 8:44 a.m. GMT

What will you be doing to celebrate Christie Week this year?  We've added the list of events we've organised to the website.  It would be lovely to hear from any fans who will be going along or hear your ideas on what we could be doing next year.

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Puffinjill 13 Jan 10 at 10:29 a.m. GMT

I would love more details too! I'd like to look into how feasible it would be for me to attend, although I doubt very much I will be able to get there. Still, miracles (apparently) happen, so the more information I can get my grubby mitts on, the more chance I stand of getting there.

Nofret 12 Jan 10 at 12:36 p.m. GMT

AGATHA CHRISTIE FESTIVAL 2010 - Anyone going?

I'd love to attend this event and hope to be able to book myself in to a hotel in Torquay (hopefully not THAT ONE!) But where would I be able to book for all the other events, the plays, murder games etc? Or haven't the details been released yet - have searched the web and looked on Devon Tourist sites and can't find any concrete details.

Those lucky people who went last year - do you know if I'll have any difficulty getting a single room?

Tommy_A_Jones 17 Dec 09 at 3:39 p.m. GMT

IMHO you aren't missing much.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 5:02 p.m. GMT

I'm afraid I never get to watch Buzzocks either, so you have the advantage over me there!

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Dec 09 at 4:52 p.m. GMT

I know someone in The Mighty Boosh is now a Team Captain on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, I think if work dried up he could get work as Mick Jagger or ASlice Cooper Tribute Person perhaps he could morph them into 1. BTW I will tell ypu how I get on, after I finish it I will read At Bertram's Hotel and that will be all the MM Noivels and then I will know which is my least favourite -I am not counting the Short story books as to me that is a different Catagory.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 4:48 p.m. GMT

Do let me know, Tommy. I must dust off my Sherlock Holmes books and remind myself of how much I enjoyed the original texts. In recent years I've tended to listen to the dramas rather than reading the books again and I've probably forgotten much about them by now.

By the way, Divine Comedy was a group from Northern Ireland that had quite a few hits in the 90's (that sounds like something my Dad would say - must be getting old!). The Mighty Boosh was a comedy programme that, like you Tommy, has passed me by as I've not seen it either!

Tommy_A_Jones 16 Dec 09 at 3:54 p.m. GMT

I am truly sorry Go_leafs, I meant to but it seems by the end of my post I had forgotten to put a spoiler, I thought I had but that must haver been a different post or I just forgot sorry.

Puffinjil my griend all I know is that afew years ago there was a 3-part Series about Crime writers Presented by Nigel Williams and he quoted it when Referring to Agatha Christie, I don't know what the Devine Comedy is, It is lkike Thew Mighty Boosch I don't know what that or they are either. I have started The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes carrying on my habit of when finishing an AC book tyhen reading one sort of similar, I am really benjoyuing the book, I am reading the storiues in order and am now on The Red-headed League I will tell you how I get on.

Puffinjill 16 Dec 09 at 9:29 a.m. GMT

I think the England we read of in AC's books DID exist for those of her class but for the majority of people it simply represented a world in which they did not live but might aspire to. For English people today, it's as much of a 'foreign' country as anywhere in the world might be. I am currently in Devon on a few days break and I think AC would struggle to recognise her own beloved county. Still, as I said before, with the aid of AC, we still have a window on this world and escape from the modern one which lacks the atmosphere of those bygone days.

Tommy, my dear friend, I think I know the quotation you mention. Is it the one from Hamlet about something being rotten in the state of Denmark? I remember the song by Divine Comedy about something in the woodshed. (Used to like them, wonder what happened to them?) I'm glad that you like Appointment With Death, even though it is set abroad. You didn't say which book you are reading next now you have finished Poirot Investigates?

go_leafs_nation 15 Dec 09 at 5:12 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Also, I love the nostalgic feelings her books create in me for an England that I never knew and has changed (in my opinion) for the worst. Perhaps it never existed, but ay least I can live in it for a short while when reading her books.

That applies for me too, and it might explain my attraction to Carr, who had a romantic view of England that never really was.

go_leafs_nation 15 Dec 09 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

I contend that not only is this fair (you should've put up spoiler warnings), it is a fantastic twist to think up and pull off in the first place. It's the reader's business to suspect everyone, and upon rereading, every clue simply jumps to the eyes, with its meaning now clear. It isn't a case of making the killer Lord Biggersworth simply because a real nobleman would never wear silver cufflinks. It's one of AC's finest cases of misdirection and ingenuity, while remaining perfectly fair. It's not like Poirot withheld clues. All the evidence was presented fairly, and after that is done, few things are not permissible. (The things I'm against is a huge use of secret passages and mysterious poisons unkown to science, for obvious reasons.)

Tommy_A_Jones 15 Dec 09 at 1:23 p.m. GMT

Yes you're right again Puffinjill, perhaps I just have to think British Paralells to keep me interewsted, I am glad you used Appointment With Death as an example as that is one I do like even though The Murderer's past misdemeanour was never revealed, the end of your first Paragraph reminds me of a saying which I think comes from Shakespeare 'There's Something nasty in the Wood shed' (Or something like that).

To Go_leafs for me just the fact that the Murderer is The Narrator or the person who asks for Poirot's help I think is 'Unfair and not being 'Fair' to the readers, I have only tried to solve one of ACs books and failed, I nevcer notice clues I just get swept up by the story although the more |I read the more I am learning to be cautious about what we find out. Ironcally I can solve some more modern Murder Mysteries quitew oftren, Perhaps they just don't write 'em the way they used to.

Puffinjill 15 Dec 09 at 8:49 a.m. GMT

Going back to the subject of foreign locations, most of them weren't completely 'foreign' as most of the time AC had a good smattering of English characters to ensure her reading audience could connect with the novel. There is some feeling of fish-out-of-water but it is balanced by introducing more familiar touches. I do like her books set in the more exotic locations - my favourite AC book is Appointment With Death, after all!! - but I think her strength lies in taking a very familiar and comfortable situation and setting, then weaving a story full of murder and mystery that strips away all those comfortable feelings one may have.

Also, I love the nostalgic feelings her books create in me for an England that I never knew and has changed (in my opinion) for the worst. Perhaps it never existed, but ay least I can live in it for a short while when reading her books.

go_leafs_nation 14 Dec 09 at 6:14 p.m. GMT

When you say a book's solution is "unfair", most of the time, not all the pieces of the puzzle have been given to the reader. Lord Edgware Dies is certainly fair, and pretty obvious, when you think of it. (I don't count it as one I solved because, although I was on the right track from the get-go, it was spoiled for me midway through.) But there are plenty of great clues that point to the killer; why you consider it unfair is beyond me.

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Dec 09 at 5:13 p.m. GMT

I nreally agree with you Puffinjill, I lovewd the early Adaptations and I really wish sometimes the Adaptations were done the same way, I miss the Music and Opening Graphics and as I said I like the changes in those (The ones I noticed anyway), With the foreign ones all the Men-ha-ra stuff and the names of places and peoplke and titles, I think you might be right, it Might be because I have not been abroad much but I don't find the idea of places like Egypt exotic at all, however I do find the idea of Islands, Stately Homes and Villages Exotic and Romantic but we are all different and I just find the ones with Island, Stately Homes, Villages, Secret Papers and last words and all the 'Who is X' Stuff exciting, I did like somew foreign ones like A Carribean Mystery, MOTOE and Apointment with Death but not that story.

Puffinjill 14 Dec 09 at 4:56 p.m. GMT

WOW! That's a pretty comprehensive run down! Glad you enjoyed it so. The beauty of the TV adaptation of these stories is that they were done fairly early on and were a little more low key. Any changes or embellishments that were added were not done for shock value (as I feel most of the later ones were) and feel more in tune with AC and the spirit of her work.

May I just ask one question? Why do you struggle with some of the stories set abroad? Do you find it hard to imagine the locations or characters from different countries? Not having travelled much myself (and, oh! how I would love too!!), I find the more exotic and unusual locations interesting. I know AC is considered 'quintessentially' English - is it that you feel she is at her best in her own country?

Tommy_A_Jones 14 Dec 09 at 3:20 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill I have finished it, this is what I feel about the Book;

The Adventure of The Western Star; I enjoyed it but but I thought it wasn't as good as others.

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor; I was probably expecting too much as I loved the side story with the Inn Keeper's Manuscript, without it I think the Story was a little flat.

The Cheap Flat; I found it enjoyable and moreso than The Wedstern Star.

The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge; I thought it was very Good, I love the way Poirot solved it without being on the spot.

The Billion Dollar Bond Robbery; Again very good better than some and not as good as others.

The Adventure of The Egyption Tomb; I have difficulty with some stories set abroard and this was no exception

The Jewel Robbery At The Grand Metropoliton; Again I like it and I love the fact that it proved that a Case which was not Murder could be so good.

The Kidnapped Prime Minister; I liked this one also and better than some.

The Dissapearance of Mr Davenheim; I loved the deal Poirot and Japp made and the way again Poirot was solving it without eing on the spot.

The Adventure of The Italian Nobleman; I liked this one also and didn't think it was bettered by The Television Adaptation.

The Case of The Missing Will; I think this one was my favourite, I was so sorry it was so short, It just flew by, I loved the Concept, I know that there was a Miss Marple story like this but it doesn't take away what a wonderful idea it was.

Well that's it thgat is my feelings aboutn the book and very enjoyable it was too.

Puffinjill 14 Dec 09 at 8:50 a.m. GMT

I think I'm a walking mistake, Tommy, but thank you for your patience!! Enjoy that last story!

Tommy_A_Jones 13 Dec 09 at 1:28 p.m. GMT

I make the same sort of mistakes (I often refer to one book whenm I mean another so don't worry Puffin, I have not finished Poirot Investigates, I have one Story left then will write in long hand what I thought of the book so I can give a full apraisal.

Puffinjill 12 Dec 09 at 7:07 p.m. GMT

Oh, Tommy, I'm such a fool!!! Yes, of course I meant to say 120 years since AC's birth!! what must everyone think of me. Thank you for putting me right, my friend, and not pointing out how stupid I am. I should crawl into a corner and hide.

The Disappearance Of Mr Davenheim happens to be a favourite of mine from Poirot Investigates, too. Glad you are enjoying the book so much! I'm intrigued as to the reason why this is and why you can't explain now!!! Sounds mysterious and I wait with baited breath until all is made clear....

Tommy_A_Jones 12 Dec 09 at 4:50 p.m. GMT

Ofcourse Puffin you mean it is 33 years since ACs death and 120 years sinbce her birth don't you? BTW am loving Poirot Investigates will explain more when I have finished the stories, I have just started The Dissapearance of Mr Davenheim whenm I listened to this story on Audio Cassette I loved contemplating ew=wether it was possible and am doing the same now, sadly events in the News recently make me think it is.

Puffinjill 12 Dec 09 at 7:58 a.m. GMT

I've just seen that next years festival will be held from 12th to the 19th September 2010. I just hope and pray I can beg/borrow/steal my way there for the 120th anniversary of AC's death. Anyone else out there (and I know it's still 2009 and a way to go until next September) planning to go?

frannyw 22 Sep 09 at 9:02 p.m. GMT

Hi Everyone, I've just got back from Torquay and can't recommend the AC Festival enough!  It was fantastic!  It opened with a lovely old fashioned fete (as described in Dead Mans Folly).  Sunday evening I went to the radio plays and dinner, which was excellent and so well presented.  I saw Spider's Web on the Monday, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Unfortunately, I was too late to book the dining train or the murder mystery dinner... but maybe next year.  I think the highlight of my week was going to Greenway - the house and gardens are amazing.  The walk up to the house is quite steep though and rather tricky for anyone who has trouble walking.  I can't wait for next year, as I think it will be even bigger and better, as its to celebrate 120 years since Agatha's birth.  If you get the chance to go, take it!!!!

Tommy_A_Jones 22 Sep 09 at 2:35 p.m. GMT

I lived where Elmo jumped of the roof for 5 Years and in the place which has 2 places with Poirot's companions names for 2 years and near where some of the JH series was filmed for just over a year, I loved humming the signature tune.

Puffinjill 20 Sep 09 at 4:55 p.m. GMT

Hey, Tommy, I think I know where you mean! I've not actually read any of her novels but I will keep an eye out for them. You do pick the loveliest spots!

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Sep 09 at 3:22 p.m. GMT

Hi Puffinjill, I just realised I forgot to reply, Have you heard of Betty Rowlands well I live in the County where her books are set, also I used to live in a County which have to places which have the names of 2 of Poirot's pals also I used to live where Elmo the flying Monk jumped of a roof because he thought he would be able to fly.

ace_of_spades 16 Sep 09 at 1:42 a.m. GMT

I really wish I could be in Britain for Agatha Christie Week... It would be so much fun. Does AC Week end today?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Queen of Crime!

My family and I celebrated Christie's 119th birthday with English tea and sweets!

Puffinjill 14 Sep 09 at 3:29 p.m. GMT

Thanks Jemma, I did listen to the archive hour and found it really interesting. Sorry I couldn't reply earlier but I couldn't get on the website.

smiksa09 14 Sep 09 at 10:21 a.m. GMT

I have organised a Blog Tour running from MYSTERIES IN PARADISE in association with an Agatha Christie Reading Challenge and monthly Blog Carnival than I run. Kerrie

Jemma 11 Sep 09 at 12:52 p.m. GMT

I just saw, Puffinjill that you wanted to listen to some Christie on Radio. Just thought I'd let you know that there are lots of programmes on Radio 4 this week. Archive hour on Radio 4 tomorrow concentrates on Agatha Christie and there will also be new readings of the Harley Quin stories on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on Radio 4 at 3.30pm.

Puffinjill 11 Sep 09 at 12:36 p.m. GMT

Have a great time! What events are you going to? I would KILL to go to the dinner with the radio plays. My great passion (along with all things Christie) is radio drama. I shall be scanning the airways to see if anything interesting is on. I believe they have on "The Body in the Library" with June Whitfield on sunday.

frannyw 10 Sep 09 at 7:08 p.m. GMT

Hi Puffinjill and Tommy A Jones,  Yes, it is Burgh Island where 'Evil Under the Sun' was filmed and it looks wonderful.  If you get chance, have a look at the hotel's website:  its www.burghisland.com.  I hope to go there some day, but am looking forward to my trip to Torquay at the moment.  All the best  

Puffinjill 10 Sep 09 at 3:26 p.m. GMT

Lovely area! Where are you living now?

I think the island is Burgh Island - I've never been but my partners parents visited it this summer.

Tommy, I keep having the same problem as you. I've been collecting my audio books for a while (long before I got a CD player) so the majority of them are on tape and they keep snapping! Overplay, I guess. But it breaks my little heart everytime!

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Sep 09 at 2:19 p.m. GMT

I am going through a stage when I try to watch 1 JH adapt every weekend and an audio Cassette when I have a spare moment, I started to listen to Hercule Poirot's Early Cases but the tape broke, never mind, How I wish I could visit places where the JH MM were filmed or the places where she based her books on like Doon Island (I think that is it's name, it was the inspiration behind Evil Under The Sun and And Then There Were None I used to live near Buddley Salterton where somne of Miss Marple (The JH version) was filmed.

Bundle_ 09 Sep 09 at 1:22 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

I shall join fellow stuck-at-homes such as 3rdGirl and Tommy A Jones (hello to you both!) and indulge in all things Chrisite at home. I feel an overdose of Poirot DVDs, audio books and a re-read of Christies autobiography coming on. That should keep me happy for a while! But I'd sooner be in Torquay......

I shall do the same!

Puffinjill 09 Sep 09 at 8:20 a.m. GMT

Oh, I'm so jealous of you all who are going! I'm unable to get any time off work  during the festival so am unable to get to Torquay and attend any of the functions. But I do hope you all have a great time.

I shall join fellow stuck-at-homes such as 3rdGirl and Tommy A Jones (hello to you both!) and indulge in all things Chrisite at home. I feel an overdose of Poirot DVDs, audio books and a re-read of Christies autobiography coming on. That should keep me happy for a while! But I'd sooner be in Torquay......

frannyw 08 Sep 09 at 7:41 p.m. GMT

Hi Bakuvia, Thanks for your message, I may well end up booking the train.  I'm going to the radio plays and dinner on my own and I'm sure it will be fine.  I'm also going to see Spider's Web on the Monday night and to Greenway on the Friday.  I think its going to be a fantastic week!  All the best

frannyw 08 Sep 09 at 7:38 p.m. GMT

bakuvia

Hey FranW ... ah, go for it - I'll be on my own too - and I'm sure there'll be others in the same boat (or should that be train). I felt the same about going to the literary dining evening at Greenway on my own but the woman from the NT that I talked to was so nice that she easily persuaded me it was fine to be a solo diner.

bakuvia 06 Sep 09 at 12:10 p.m. GMT

Hey FranW ... ah, go for it - I'll be on my own too - and I'm sure there'll be others in the same boat (or should that be train). I felt the same about going to the literary dining evening at Greenway on my own but the woman from the NT that I talked to was so nice that she easily persuaded me it was fine to be a solo diner.

frannyw 25 Aug 09 at 6:52 p.m. GMT

I am going to Torquay for the week of the Festival and am really looking forward to it.  So far I have booked the radio plays, Spider's Web, the Guided Walk and the Greenway Cruise.  I would have liked to go on the Murder Mystery Dining Train, but am on my own that evening and wasn't sure about doing it alone.  I'm sure it will be a fantastic week and a great chance to meet other Christie fans.  

Tommy_A_Jones 19 Aug 09 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

 Cheers 3rd Girl, I think I might watch some of the JH Adaptations, I sadly cannot attend either but will be there in spirit, as I should think everybody who can't attend will be.

3rdGirl 19 Aug 09 at 7:42 a.m. GMT

BTW, I will be celebrating Christie week each evening in my living room reading the book club book and sipping a gin and tonic.

Too far away to attend from Sydney, Australia unfortunately.

3rdGirl 19 Aug 09 at 7:39 a.m. GMT

Well Torquay Kevin, that is awful and unsurprising considering how most councils and developers are so greedy. AC fans would go for the charm and old world syle of their imaginations, not plexi-glass monstrosities they can see in the big cities. It's such a shame.

Torquay_Kevin 17 Aug 09 at 3:42 p.m. GMT

Is this the Death of an Era?Agatha Christie’s residence Greenway in Torquay has recently been restored by the National Trust and in celebration of the Queen of Crime’s achievements a festival is held every year in Torbay. Renowned as an area of outstanding natural beauty, The English Riviera has become synonymous with the life and times of Agatha Christie, with millions of visitors having come from around the World to re-live that Golden Era. Despite this invaluable cultural heritage, developers plan to build high-rise glass tower blocks in the heart of Torquay Harbour near historic buildings (see: TorbayFuture.co.uk) and are being actively encouraged by some senior Officials, all in the name of progress! The devastation caused by such inner-city style tower s to the harbour and Bay will be inmeasurable and with more developers lined up to rip the heart out of Torbay's heritage, millions of Agatha Christie fans will be left with only fond memories of a magnificent bygone Era.

TheMole 10 Aug 09 at 11:15 a.m. GMT

Frndorfoe

But the real fan was my grandma (that is my mom's mother). She had read most of the books and had collected almost all of it. Unfortunately, after her death all the books were lost.

Sorry to hear that.

Well, she had when she was young. But now she claims to have forgotten most of it due to the pressure of raising all of us! Recently she has planned on re-reading some of the books. She had mentioned The Crooked House and Endless Night (including the 70's movie version) to be her favorites.

I like those books too. My Mom also said that it was hard to remember all of the plots since she read them when she was in her teens. But her favorite ones she remembers Like: They Came to Baghdad, The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side, Murder on the Orient Express, They Do it With Mirrors, and Crooked House, too.

Frndorfoe 10 Aug 09 at 4:28 a.m. GMT

Well, she had when she was young. But now she claims to have forgotten most of it due to the pressure of raising all of us! Recently she has planned on re-reading some of the books. She had mentioned The Crooked House and Endless Night (including the 70's movie version) to be her favorites. But the real fan was my grandma (that is my mom's mother). She had read most of the books and had collected almost all of it. Unfortunately, after her death all the books were lost.

TheMole 09 Aug 09 at 7:34 p.m. GMT

My Mom's a big Agatha Christie fan, too -- that's how I came to like her -- she has read all of her books including the Mary Westmacot ones. Has your Mom read most of her books, Frndorfoe?

Frndorfoe 09 Aug 09 at 5:08 p.m. GMT

Lucky you! It all just sounds so wonderful! But there is no hope for us who live so far far away from England. We can only dream of doing all the things you speak of doing for the Christie Week. I am a great admirer of Agatha Christie's work and so is my mom (for that matter so was my dear late grandma). But we are just so far away!

bakuvia 09 Aug 09 at 4:57 p.m. GMT

I'm heading for Torquay and really looking forward to the week. So far I have booked ahead for the Literary Dinner and the Murder Mystery Dining Train.  I also plan to spend a day at Greenway, taking the ferry from Torquay. Also planning to take in the open air cinema, some guided walks and at least one play - possibly Spider's Web. Thanks for sharing the news - I only learned of this via the site and newsletter. I'm really excited to be having dinner and cocktails at Greenway!

S_Sigerson 06 Aug 09 at 3:12 p.m. GMT

The apartment has 5 bedrooms and the rental is something like 1,907 Pound sterling for seven nights, which comes out to about 635 per couple..if you and two other couples decided to rent the apartment. I doubt you will be able to find somehwere as nice and with such amenities at this price, which comes out to less than 100 quid  for each couple per night. Even if your friends are not fans of Agatha Christie, they can still enjoy the property along with the area and you can go off to the festivities in Torquay.  

Jemma 06 Aug 09 at 2:44 p.m. GMT

Thanks for letting us know.  I've seen the apartment and it really is stunning.

We've also just announced that a whole weekend on ITV3 will be dedicated to Christie.  Schedules are still to be finalised but there is some information on the home page.  Keep checking the site for updates.

S_Sigerson 06 Aug 09 at 1:39 p.m. GMT

I see quite a few events are planned. It sounds like it's going to be a fabulous week. I have been to Torquay once and had a terrific time. I just checked the National Trust website and it looks like the apartment in Greenway House (Agatha Christie's summer home, now fully restored) is avaiable from September 11 - 17. The apartment is large, so with 2 or 3 couples splitting the cost for the week it's reasonable especially considering how nice the accommodations are and include a heated pool, your own private small garden and parking. And you will be able to explore the gardens at Greenway House at your leisure. I can't think of a better place to stay for the celebrations. It would be an Agatha Christie week from A (accommodation) to W (whoopee i.e. having a lot of fun)...I couldn't come up with a word starting with the letter Z, but I thought W was close enough.    

Detec 05 Aug 09 at 12:18 p.m. GMT

Unfortunately I won't be going to any events to celebrate Christie Week, although after popping into the library yesterday I came across a leaflet about The Agatha Christie Theatre Company production of Spider's Web which will be running at the theatre for one week only at the end of the month.  I'm thrilled so I will be booking my seat today!