Agatha Christie- Anarchist

[poliphilo]

ITV is screening a new set of Miss Marple dramatizations, starring Geraldine McEwan.

We've seen a couple now. I always found Christie a dull read, but she works fabulously on the small screen.

Murder At The Vicarage spent a leisurely three quarters of an hour establishing the 1950s rural idyll that is St Mary Mead and then tore it to
shreds as it was revealed that all these prosperous, respectable middle-Englander stereotypes are in fact murderers, adulterers, thieves, embezelers and traitors.

In her own way Christie is as subversive as Bunuel. Something like Murder At The Vicarage is really just The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie by other means.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I like the Miss Marple stories--they are oddly cozy: Miss Marple with her pastel sweaters and cherry wood fires.

But I've always wondered why the police wouldn't begin to suspect Miss Marple, who seems to always be around when a murder takes place.

We have an old copy of Murder for Christmas, most un-saccharine holiday reading!

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

...And how about a new poem for us, for a Christmas present?

Please and thank you!

[arielstarshadow.livejournal.com]

I always preferred Hercule Poirot, for some reason. You are right, though, in that ofttimes, her books were never as exciting as I hoped they'd be. It is almost as if I was in love with the idea of Agatha Christie's novels more than the actual novels themselves. You are also right in that they do translate wonderfully to the small screen; I've enjoyed all of the Christie television movies I've ever seen.