Agatha Christie Week: A Sharp, Brittle Book


Agatha Christie was born on September 15th, 1890, so to celebrate her 125th anniversary there’s going to be a week of entries on her books, her life, and a book that influenced her….
 

The Hollow by Agatha Christie

published 1946


 
The Hollow 1The Hollow 2


[Lady Angkatell is discussing a forthcoming houseparty with Midge]

“Henrietta will help a lot with poor Gerda. She was simply wonderful last year. That was the time we played limericks, or wordmaking, or quotations - or one of those things, and we had all finished and were reading them out when we suddenly discovered that poor dear Gerda hadn't even begun. She wasn't even sure what the game was. It was dreadful, wasn't it, Midge?"

"Why anyone ever comes to stay with the Angkatells, I don't know," said Midge. "What with the brainwork, and the round games, and your peculiar style of conversation, Lucy."

"Yes, darling, we must be trying - and it must always be hateful for Gerda, and I often think that if she had any spirit she would stay away - but, however, there it was, and the poor dear looked so bewildered and – well - mortified, you know. And John looked so dreadfully impatient. And I simply couldn't think of how to make things all right again - and it was then that I felt so grateful to Henrietta. She turned right round to Gerda and asked about the pullover she was wearing - really a dreadful affair in faded lettuce green - too depressing and jumble sale, darling - and Gerda brightened up at once; it seems that she had knitted it herself, and Henrietta asked her for the pattern, and Gerda looked so happy and proud. And that is what I mean about Henrietta. She can always do that sort of thing. It's a kind of knack."

"She takes trouble," said Midge slowly.

"Yes, and she knows what to say."

"Ah," said Midge. "But it goes further than saying. Do you know, Lucy, that Henrietta actually knitted that pullover."

"Oh, my dear." Lady Angkatell looked grave. "And wore it?"

"And wore it. Henrietta carries things through."

"And was it very dreadful?"

"No. On Henrietta it looked very nice."

"Well, of course, it would. That's just the difference between Henrietta and Gerda.'


observations: The Hollow is, I reckon, something of a fan favourite – much enjoyed by real Christie aficionados, people who have actually read the oeuvre in depth, as opposed to those who think they know what Christie writes about. (A recent article on Book Riot made bizarre claims about Christie’s books. A BTL commentor who suggested the writer was wrong was told off by a moderator. I despair sometimes.)

A common misconception is that Christie writes about country house parties among the aristocracy –  this is far from the case. She does sometimes write about people who live in the country, and have comfortable houses, and there is the odd minor title - but they are far from the nobility, and these are  not stately homes. The huge unnoticed point is that most gatherings of potential victims and suspects are family. She’s a great one for the rellies (as we commoners refer to our relations) and sees matters of inheritance and family love and control as the likely seeds of hatred and murder.

Now as it happens, The Hollow does revolve round a country house weekend party which is not wholly family-based, although several characters are related to each other. But even then, it’s not a traditional country house scenario - there’s the swimming pool, the cocktails, the movie star staying in a nearby cottage. It’s all more Francis Durbridge than Downton Abbey - confirmation comes from the book's dedication to 'Larry and Danae, with apologies for using their swimming pool as the scene of a murder'. This is Francis 'Larry' Sullivan and his wife - he was a successful West End and film actor friend who played Poirot on stage and appeared in other Christie plays.

Henrietta Savernake is one of Christie’s best and strongest females, and again one for the true fans, who tend to love her. She is a sculptor, and someone who has no problem with an affair with a married man. She cheats at cards ‘skilfully’ in a good cause. Christie totally makes you believe in her artistic talent, which is quite an achievement. The reader is left really longing to see some of her creations described in the book. (A comparable case is, I think, the pictures of Amyas Crale in Five Little Pigs, which also sound wonderful.)

The dialogue is sharp and brittle and atmospheric. The plot and explanation are interesting, and of course unlikely. The clues and sidelines are excellent, and there are several memorable characters, including the victim and Mrs Crabtree, both of them only really glimpsed, and others of the party are real and satisfying.  And Christie is accurate and acute about the likes of charmingly ethereal Lady Angkatell above (‘she’s not a bit kind… she’s rather cruel’). I love the sharp comments on the word games – such fun if you’re good at them, so horrible if you’re not.

The knitted jumpers are from the free vintage knitting pattern site.

More Christie entries all this week, and all over the blog at all times – click on the labels below for more.























Comments

  1. Not sharing your enthusiasm I'm afraid - a big surprise there then, huh?

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    1. One day you'll find the right book by her and like it...

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  2. Oh, Moira, I've always just loved this one! Like you, I think Henrietta Savernake's character is just beautifully done. And there are some really elegantly-done powerful moments in this novel. I like the discussion of class here, too, particularly as Midge Hardcastle sees the differences between her and her Angkatell family. And that brilliant and pointed discussion/argument with Edward Angkatell about how little he really understands about how most people live. There's a lot else I love about this novel, but I won't go on and on... Brilliant choice!

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    1. Yes to all you say Margot, a great summing up of some good scenes.

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  3. Moira, I haven't read this one either. Christie is one of several authors whose books can be a subject of fascinating debate. No two readers like the same book, so to speak, and yet all her books are loved.

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    1. You're right Prashant - and as she wrote so many there's something for everyone...

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  4. I've seen the tv-Davod Suchet version of this and it was quite good, but I don't think I've read the book, perhaps I should.

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    1. I thought the TV version was pretty well done, and if you liked it I'm sure you'd like the book.

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  5. With TAKEN AT THE FLOOD, this one always seems to be among the richest and best written of the post-war Poirot, although i do have a slight aversion that what might be seen as its us of a 'daisy-chain' plot in which you basically end up right where you started. I understand the attraction to authors, but deep down I always resist this because it makes me feel that most of the plot was a massive diversion from the first presented and most obvious outcome.

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    1. Yes I know exactly what you mean, and I admire the way you put it without spoilers. There is something unsatisfying about that particular plot turn, I do agree with you.

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  6. This one sounds good. This #25 of the Poirot series and I am at # 8, so will be years before I get to it. I did pick up some Agatha Christie's at the book sale this weekend, mostly ones with interesting covers.

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    1. Look forward to hearing about the book sale Tracy. And I think you will like this one when you finally get to it, no matter how long it takes....

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  7. I really like this one - are you going to give us Midge in the fashion salon sometime? (Margot hits the nail on the head about that scene with Edward A, too)

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    1. I know, it always lives in the mind, and yes the scene with Edward. When I first read it I was a teenager with a Saturday job, and I could empathize with the horror of being embarrassed by a friend who comes in to see you and behaves inappropriately. A different world, a different class (!), many years apart, but AC really did have the universal human touch.

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  8. Henrietta is a fascinating character, but I wouldn't want to live with her. John Chistow really did sum her up well, but that seems to be the hallmark of genius. And Lucy Angkatell is fun on the page, but would probably drive me up the wall in real life.

    I felt so sorry for Midge when Edward turned up at the salon, and during that earlier talk when he shows exactly how clueless he is about anyone else's experience, or how you can't just hold out for a well-paying job in congenial surroundings because the bills need to be paid. I didn't have the words for it when I read The Hollow as a teen, but Edward is a hallmark of White Male Privilege. Midge has an exhausting row to hoe married to him, I think, but at least she doesn't go in with any illusions about him.

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    1. There were some complex characters in The Hollow, for sure, and ones that you can fruitfully think about, and predict futures. I think Midge will be fine, even though Edward will be difficult. She will like her country life. His coming into the shop to her mortification was so relatable when I too read the book as a teen, the kind of thing you dreaded. (But not with the 'happy ending' she gets!) I did NOT warm to Lucy, living her life of privilege and thus able to behave badly, frankly. What a great book though!

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