BOOK
#52

Murder on the Orient Express
by Agatha Christie





Review by Edward Tanguay
November 29, 1996

Murder on the Orient Express is "popcorn reading," a term used by a college roommate who used to read stacks of science fiction. He said it was reading which was "fun, never filled you up, but deficient in nutrients." This book reads like a journal you would sit up reading late in a youth hostel:

Poirot, by now, knew all about Mrs Hubbard's daughter. Everyone on the train who could understand English did!

It's pleasant enough reading that makes you giggle hear and there and which brings across a general plot. It's language that comes off the top of your head, language that doesn't create an atmosphere but that links sights and situations and impressions:

At a small table, sitting very upright, was one of the ugliest old ladies he had ever seen. It was an ugliness of distinction--it fascinated rather than repelled.

but nothing is insightful. Reading this is like watching a high school play, choppy and at times descriptions are out of place and quite bizarre:

Her small toad-like face looked even yellower than the day before. She was certainly ugly, and yet, like the toad, she had eyes like jewels, dark and imperious, revealing latent energy and an intellectual force that could be felt at once. (!)

Her yellow bun of hair quivered with emotion. (?!)

(and here a odd flair of machoism) Then he hurried off after the other two. His interest lay wholly in the crime--swooning middle-aged ladies did not interest him at all.

The big Italian had a wary look in his eye as he came in. He shot nervous glances from side to side like a trapped animal. (really?)

This story never touched down into reality. The crime story was good. I didn't expect the end and in that sense it was clever, but it was clever without offering anything else of substance, like watching a half hour of Scooby Doo. There was no atmosphere (a train in a snow bank) and, ugh, absolutely no geographical movement. The interrogation process, one person after the other, became tedious after the second interviewee. Being spoon fed with clues in italics is also not my idea of challenging reading.

Christie's strong point as a writer is her attention to word choice and manner of expression. You could tell she had been in international circles and was fascinated by the way people talk and the expressions they use. For instance, the American Mrs. Hubbard and the princess express themselves in fully different ways:

Mrs. Hubbard: "Of course I'm sure! The idea! I know what I'm talking about. I'll tell you just everything there is to tell. I'd gotten into bed an gone to sleep, and suddenly I woke up--all in the dark, it was--and I knew there was a man in my compartment,. I was just so scared I couldnt' scream, if you know what I mean. I just lay there and thought, "Mercy, I'm going to be killed." I just can't describe to you how I felt. These nasty trains, I thought, and all the outrages I'd read of. And I thought, 'Well, anyway, he won't get my jewellery.' Because, you see, I'd put that in a stocking and hidden it under my pillow--which isn't so mighty comfortable, by the way, kinder bumpy, if you know what I mean. But that's neither here nor there. Where was I?"

And the Princess:  "I directed the conductor to make up my bed whilst I was in the dining-car. I retired to bed immediately after dinner. I read until the hour of eleven, when I turned out my light. I was unable to sleep owning to certain rheumatic pains from which I suffer. At about a quarter to one I rang for my maid. She massaged me and then read aloud till I felt sleepy. I cannot say exactly when she left me. It may have been half an hour, it may have been later.

I was surprised at the constant references to national stereotypes, but I guess back in the 30s your nationality made up a lot of your personality:

(Of a Brit) "He's a low opinion of Americans and no opinion at all of any other nationality."

But I like this young fellow. He'd got hold of some tomfool idiotic ideas about the situation in India; that's the worst of Americans--they're so sentimental and idealistic.

"He has been a long time in America," said M. Bouc, "and he is an Italian, and Italians use the knife! And they are great liars! I do not like Italians."

It is not easy to bribe the English, they are so unapproachable.

It is a very expensive handkerchief that, and Americans, as all the world knows, do not care what they pay.

"I like to see an angry Englishman," said Poriot. "they are very amusing. The more emotional they feel the less command they have of language.

Mrs. Hubbard was my favorite character:

"What is this country anyway?" demanded Mrs Hubbard tearfully.
On being told it was Yugo-Slavia she said:
"Oh! one of those Balkan things. What do you expect?"

She's 100% "American in Europe," colorful, uninhibited, loud, boisterous, friendly, critical, self-secure, boastful:

"When Momma's got a hunch, you can bet your bottom dollar it's O.K."

She sailed out triumphantly.

I don't plan on reading any more Agatha Christie for a long while (even though there are so many of her books to read--my God, how many books did she write, over 50?), but I would like to see the movie or play done on this book. This story is perfect for the television medium.

Edward Tanguay


Subject: Murder on the Orient Express Date:
Sun, 24 Nov 1996 14:12:02 -0500
From: Metin Isenkul <metin@internetmci.com>

Hello, We have started writing about Agatha Christy's murder mystery. I have eight students: three Japanese English majors from Kan Sai Gai Dai University, on exchange for one year, three Korean students on their year abroad experience, one student from Taiwan who wants to get an MBA, and a student from Columbia who wants to combine MBA and fashion design. They were very frozen when we started this project, so I don't know how their comments will fit into your reading discussions. I also asked them to write to either the author or a character in the book, and this floored them. Anyway, this is what I have so far. I am sending the comments without editing in order to avoid the Thanksgiving school break. We will start editing on Monday.

In Ho Shin

email to Germany

Hi, how you doing? I'm a twenty two years old college student named In Ho Shin from South Korea. I used to enjoy mystery novels in my childhood, mostly in high school days. Among some books, my favorite was Sherlock Holmes stories, not because of its content, but because of the character itself, Sherlock Holmes. However, I liked the works of the great Agatha Christie, too. In this novel, "Murder on the Orient Express", she showed her wonderful skills in plot, making up the characters, leading readers' focus to the main problem. In the first place, I really enjoyed the characters' traits. Actually, they are faithfully stereotyped. The passengers who are typical individuals of their own countries definitely make the story more interesting, humorous and easy to agree/understand. I think that Agatha Christie had been very highly educated or had had many experiences of foreign nations/cultures. She really did an excellent job using and describing unique characters from various countries to build the story up very nicely. In addition, I could not even guess who was the criminal. What I want to say is that the plot was almost perfect, realistic and mysterious. Beyond her intelligence, she proved her ability as a writer with this novel. I'm pretty sure that common people can not create this complicated, exciting and considerable masterpiece. She was brilliant! Although I had some difficult time reading this story in English, it was very fruitful to read it. I think I will recommend this book to my friends. Now, I've got to go. Bye!

To Mrs. Hubbard,

I think that you are just like an American. You are generous, kind and talkative. On the other hand, you are also confident, gallant and rude. I suggest you that you should pay attention to the partner of conversation. In other words, you must be cautious not to hurt the partner's feeling by saying only American stuff which could be boring or awkward. Although I like your tenderness as an old lady, I really don't like your way of thinking. Of course, you might not understand what I'm talking about. Because you were born to be an American and have grown to be an American. However, you should think about what I told you.

Liy-Chyun Chen, or Lily

I read the beginning of chapter 5 "The Crime". I like the way the writer made a suspicious atmosphere that the woman hid something in her compartment. Besides, outside of the train, the station was unusually quiet which let me feel a little strange and wondered to see what would happen next.

Dear Agatha, I like to read mysterious novels, and usually it takes a lot time to concentrate the story. In this novel, I feel there are too many characters in the story, and I sometimes got confused. Therefore, I still couldn't find who was the murderer. I need much time to read it again. Then I could talk to you much. Sincerely, Lily

Chie

Dear Ms. Agatha Christie,

Hello. I read some parts of your novel, "I am going to be murdered!" To be honest with you, I do not like to read any detective story because I am scared after reading it though it might not be necessary for me to afraid of anything. The reason is that some events are created by novelists like you. Well, I have a question that I really want to ask you. How can you write detective novels with blood scene? Does the idea of your book come from your imagination, experiences or desire? I wonder what kind of brain detective novelists have, sometimes. If you answer my question, I will be glad. Thank you. Sincerely yours, Chie Sato

Woong-Jae Lee

Hi, Hercule Poirot. I'm a reader of the novel which the main character is you. I was so impressed with your ability to find out the murderer. Especially your diverse way of approaching the clues made me feel excited. When you were likely almost to catch the murderer but didn't catch, I was so stuffy. Also, I was impressed with your bravery not to care for yourself. Anyway, Congratulations for your good job. Bye!

1996 Nov 20

Maki

Hercule Poirot, who is a detective, must be piercing. But I think the writer, Agatha Christie, had more penetration than he has. Her works always impress me with both the penetrating characters and her description of them. Hercule Poirot is one of my favorite characters in Christie's works. He is always calm and looking at what others don't notice and feeling what others can't perceive. In my case, his image is based on the TV series broadcast in Japan and the books translated in Japanese.

Aya

I just read the very first part of the story. I can not tell if the story is good or bad, or interesting or not as far as I know the story. Usually, detective stories are interesting for reader by how problems are solved. Now, I know only casts and what happened. Personally, I don't like Mr. Poirot so much. He doesn't have a good personality. For me, he seems that he doesn't like communicating with other people. I don't like Mr. Poirot's attitude toward Mr. Ratchett. It is mean. Inspectors are people who solve problems and help people. Mr. Poirot refused Mr. Ratchett's request for help, and then he was killed. Does he feel guilty about him? I think he should. If heroes of stories feel guilty, or do mean things, readers have mixed feelings. I think Mr. Poirot should not be mean to others.


Subject: Re: RC: Orient Express (Metin)
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 17:25:45 -0500 (EST)
From: Kathryn Obenshain <kobensha@runet.edu>

Dear Ed and Reading Club,

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is vintage Agatha Christie: the exotic locale, a cast of suspicious characters and a denoument "off the wall!" Although dated in many ways, her books remain popular, in my opinion, because of the personalities described and the fact that the setting is of a long-ago time, or what seems long-ago to the reader of the '90's. I am not a great fan of the mystery novel, but certainly prefer the old-fashioned ones like this one to the current crop which are mostly stuffed with horrific descriptions of violent acts of all kinds as well as unpleasant characters. And most of these are not any more credible in plot than Christie & her contemporaries. A fun read, though!

PS I enjoyed the comments by the students from Korea & Japan! k.


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