Iconic, much adapted for film and TV, these tales
have been around a while and many people have taken pleasure from them in this
form. But, until now, I’d not read a single one. This collection both
introduces and develops the character (I met one of the original actors, Joan
Hickson, whilst working on an article with her son, Nick, when she lived in
Wivenhoe. Very private and reserved lady.)  |
| Joan Hickson (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
What I hadn’t appreciated was that the written
stories actually distance Miss Marple from most of the events and take the form
of tales told at her house. She then interprets the facts from what she’s been
told and develops her theories from there. The adaptations generally set her
amongst the action, sometime even placing her in danger, but the written stories
tend not to do that at all.
The tales are written in Christies no-nonsense, straightforward
style. There are no pretentions to literary greatness here, just mysteries set
out in simple terms. Very much of their time, they reveal the contemporary
prejudices and values of the protagonists. The village setting could have been
claustrophobic, but Christie’s ability to connect the locality with the wider
world enables the reader to see the ubiquity of human nature. And it is human nature that most features in
these tales.
A gentle and undemanding read. Something to while
away a few hours in a country house hotel or on a day at the beach, sitting in
a deck chair and drinking tea. Very comfortable.
I enjoyed the read and recommend it to those who’ve
seen the better adaptations and enjoyed their mix of gentle humour and cosy
crime. Worth dipping into, I think.
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