Murder on the Orient Express

The release of a new film based on Agathe Christie\’s much lauded mystery was what drove me to read the novel. I recommend the book without reservation. This paperback edition has nice sized type and spacious line spacing. It is also the previously mass-marketed version; on bookshelves now is the current reprint with the cast of the Branagh film on the cover. The story is a quick yet engrossing read. Spoil alert: do yourself a favor and read the novel before seeing any of the filmed versions. Knowing what happens from seeing the film quite diminishes the fun of figuring out the who-done-it along with Poirot. N.B. Of the three films based on Christie\’s novel (the most recent directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh; the 1974 version starring Albert Finney; and a made for TV production from 2001 with Alfred Molina as Poirot [which I have not seen]), I think the award goes to the Finney. Both Branagh and Finney\’s films are very good, but Branagh makes some small changes that really didn\’t make any sense. Besides being more faithful to the book, Finney\’s performance of the revelation of the murder is more powerful. Still, the greatest pleasure is reading the book.

I read this book for the first time over 40 years ago. All I recalled was that I really enjoyed it, prompting me to read several more Agatha Christie novels. As an avid reader I went on to other authors and genres. Thru the years I\’ve been reminded of her in passing, but never enough to cause me to search for her books. That is, until I recently learned a new movie based on this book was to be released. I\’ve seen mixed reviews, but Kenneth Branaugh, who stars & directs is one of my favorites. This piqued my interest enough to reread the book and I \’m so very glad I did! I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time. All I remembered was that a murder had been committed by one of a cast of characters, travelling on the Orient Express. I could not recall any pertinent details, which increased my pleasure. It was as if I picked it up for the very first time, and I was in no way disappointed the 2nd time around! Some may be be put off by the sometimes odd language used by Ms. Christie, as this was written in 1934. For me it only made the read more quaint and endearing. I wasn\’t able to see the new movie, but will look for it on DVD. As I was reacquainting myself with these characters, I found myself speculating as to which actor would portray them. I highly recommend this book. If the reviews do not convince you, consider the test of time Agatha Christie\’s novels have endured.

I thought the book was very good, a true classic. But, this is a rare case where I liked the movie better than the book. I did see the movie first, but felt compelled to read the book to see if Agatha Christy wrote my favorite quotes (below) from the movie. Unfortunately she did not, but the book was still very good. I found the movie quotes below quite moving, they showed Poirot\’s growth of understanding like a child coming to the realization that there is gray in addition to black and white and they provide great bookends to the movie. This revelation was clearly in conflict with his orderly mind. If you overthink it you can ask how can a grown man, a detective none the less, not already understand the complexities of the world and the vast gray space we all deal with. But, like in all books and movies there is the need to suspend disbelief and accept the situation emotionally. If you see the movie with an open mind I think you\’ll understand. If you read the book mentally add the quotes below. Movie beginning: Hercule Poirot: I can only see a world as it should be. It makes an imperfection stick out like the nose on your face. Hercule Poirot: There is right. There is wrong. There is no in-between. Movie End: Hercule Poirot: There was right. There was wrong. Then there was you. I cannot judge you for this. Hercule Poirot: I have seen the fracture of the human soul. So many broken lives, so much pain and anger, giving way to the poison of deep grief, until one crime became many. I have always wanted to believe that man is rational and civilized. My very existence depends upon this hope, upon order and methods and the little grey cells, but now perhaps I am asked to listen instead to my heart. I have understood in this case that the scales of justice cannot always be evenly weighed and I must learn for once to live with the imbalance.

One of my all time favourite Agatha Christie novels (also a favourite in audio version and film). Atmospheric and perfectly plotted. The enigmatic Poirot aboard the Orient Express (what could possibly be a better, more heavenly combination!) – no relaxing sojourn for him! Technically brilliant, M.Poirot tackles each passenger involved, in turn, in an effort to find the truth. In wonderful form, he solves the crime with a magnificent denouement. A varied bunch of characters – some gloriously over the top. You will be transported back to the Golden Age and it\’s not to be missed. Each time I read this novel I\’m there..on That Train! (Do try the BBC dramatised audio book too if able, it\’s atmospherically stunning and extremely well performed). A must for your collection.

I read this because it was a Kindle daily deal (can\’t beat a 99p book) and because people reviewed it saying \”if you\’ve never read an Agatha Christie novel, this is a good place to start\” – Agatha Christie is a famous name in crime novels, so I thought I\’d give it a whirl. All throughout the book I was picturing David Suchet as Poirot – it was hard not to! It was an interesting read. Having never seen Murder on the Orient Express I had no idea whodunnit and so the whole case was a mystery to me. I enjoyed the way Agatha Christie wove the tale, creating links between characters slowly until the ending – which was a surprise, and I\’m still not sure if I\’m happy with it. The writing was easy to follow, which was a surprise to me considering it was written in 1934, it reads like present day language! The only clues you have that it\’s an older book are countries mentioned that no longer exist, e.g. Yugoslavia. It was very easy to read and overall a very enjoyable novel. I\’d recommend it to people who like watching shows like Sherlock and Jonathan Creek, you know the type of shows – where links only become apparent when the main character explains why they\’re apparent – you wouldn\’t have thought it a link otherwise. It\’s a good book to get lost in for a few hours, and I\’ll be looking at getting other Agatha Christie novels in the future. This one has definitely stood the test of time.

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