Boekenkast
Agatha Christie An Autobiography
Auteur | Agatha Christie |
Eerste Uitgave | 1977 |
Uitgave | 1993 |
Uitgeverij | Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. |
Vorm | biografie |
Taal | Engels |
Bladzijden | 560 bladzijden |
Gelezen | 2008-03-13 |
Score | 8/10 |
Inhoud
Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. She wrote over 100 novels, short story collections and plays and her books have sold over a billion copies in English and another billion in 44 foreign languages. She has become quite simply, the best-selling novelist in history.
An Autobiography tells of her fascinating private life, from early childhood through two marriages and two World Wars, and her experiences both as a writer and on archeological expeditions with her second husband, Max Mallowan. Not only does the book reveal the true genius of her legendary success, but the story is vividly told and as captivating as one of her novels.
Bespreking
Welcome to the world of Agatha
Agatha Christie is still the only true Queen of Crime. Her creations of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot are still as fresh and popular as when she was alive. Her immense popularity is in still contrast to the shyness she showed when in contact with the media. She kept her personal life very much hidden from the general public and mostly avoided giving interviews.
It is then even more refreshing that her autobiography, published in 1977 the year after her death, shares so many intimate thoughts and ponderings. Although it does not reveal all the mysteries behind the enigmatic author, she fails for instance to mention her sudden disappearance in 1926, it shows what a wonderfully strange life she has lived. The years of the war are covered in great detail and it is clear that that period was a big turning point in her life. In comparison Agatha does not spend a lot of time on how her writings came about, a lack she mentions in the introduction as being a conscience decision. More focus has been put on how she sees the world around here evolve. As such this work is very much like a historical, impressionistic painting of the world of Agatha Christie. The humor she interweaves through her narrative makes clear that she was always very aware of how relative her success and position in live has been. Something that is completely in line with her humble and shy character.
Agatha Christie, An Autobiography is a very personal and touching book that should be on the shelve of every Christie fan and is a real joy to read.