The Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie by Richard Hack

by HRevvdon@evpl on Sunday, August 30 2009, 9:51pm. Viewed 832 times.
EVPL Blogs » Blogs » Books Blog » The Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie by Richard Hack

Duchess of Death: The Unauthorized Biography of Agatha Christie (2009) by Richard Hack is a fairly good biography.  Agatha Christie was so prolific and successful that her books have sold into the billions, having been translated into over 100 languages.  Virtually all of her books are still in print – and she died in 1976.  Agatha Christie is the most popular novelist in history.

Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple are her most celebrated detectives; Poirot even received a headline obituary in the New York Times when the last novel in which he appeared was published.

Richard Hack, despite the unfortunate last name for a writer, makes this biography an interesting read, although the last third of the book is weaker than the rest.  Christie’s birth, early years, and the years through both her marriages – up until the end of her travels with her archeologist husband – are very interesting.  Then the book slows, but is still worth reading. 

I need to find a Miss Marple to read now…

 

Comments (2)

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GoldensRule@evpl wrote
on Thursday, September 3 2009, 12:06pm

We must read/listen to all the same stuff.  I have this in my cd player now and really am enjoying it.  What an eccentric and interesting person she was.  Because of this have just checked out Murder at the Vicarage (her first Jane Marple)  and two dvds with Margaret Rutherford in the part of Jane (Agatha did not think her a good fit, physically, for the role and from the look of her  I tend to agree)  At any rate since you reviewed this I will not.  ex

HRevvdon@evpl wrote
on Monday, September 7 2009, 7:09pm

There are some nice pictures in the book.  Whenever I read a biography I never think there are enough pictures, this one is no different.  There are not many at all but what are there are good and worth looking at.

She certainly was a character and one that I would have loved to have known.

I have watched the Margaret Rutherford movies and they are poorly done and she certainly is not right for the role.  But Rutherford is the best part of the movies none the less.  Angela Lansbury nor Helen Hayes fit the bill either, for me.  Joan Hickson is my favorite and the films featuring her are by far the best I think.