I do love Christie, and this makes me love her even more! I knew she was involved in the petition but didn’t know her second husband was Catholic. I so enjoy listening to her stories on audiobook-it makes the suspense feel all the more real time!
I also didn’t realize her husband was Catholic. There is actually a very good book about her role in helping to save the TLM called “The Latin Mass and the Intellectuals”
I've read a number of Golden Age detective authors and many, although not all, seem to have been devout Christians. Even those that weren't Christians had a strong streak of Christian morality (for example, Margery Allingham, who wasn't a Christian as far as I know, but wrote an entire novel around her detective's refusal to commit adultery, in spite of strong temptation).
I always thought I didn’t like mysteries until I tried Agatha Christie and others of that era, and now I am hooked. I didn’t know about Christie’s faith until now, so maybe part of the appeal to me has to do with the fact that they were Christian. Also, the writing is brilliant - I wish modern day writers would take a lesson in innuendo - that you don’t need graphic and sexual content to make a story appealing.
I LOVE Agatha Christie but really have never taken the time to learn much of her personal background. Honestly, I was recently wondering if she was a woman of faith (just read And Then There Was None…) so this article (shared by Maddie) was perfectly timed.
I didn’t think I could appreciate her more than I already have, but what a fascinating character she was. Thanks for sharing!
At the recommendation of a friend of mine, I read Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie this past summer. It wasn't Christie's usual fare, and it was so thought-provoking. My friend told me this book prompted - if memory serves - 3 visits to the Confessional. This is a book that will encourage self-reflection. In the beginning, Joan (the protagonist) has a moment where she is self-righteous after running into an old friend. Joan ends up missing a train and is stranded in a desert for days on end... "If you'd nothing to think about but yourself for days on end I wonder what you'd find out about yourself?" - Agatha Christie (Joan musing about what her friend Blanche had said to her) More of Joan's musings: "You didn't know because it was so much easier to believe the pleasant easy things that you would like to be true, and not distress yourself with the things that really were true." - Agatha Christie (More of Joan's musings.) I had to copy down this quote too: "...but he was sick and tired of a prudent careful world that counted the cost of everything before doing it and never took a risk." - Agatha Christie (Joan's husband Rodney in response to Joan saying her friend Leslie's pregnancy is "foolish") Agatha Christie was such a fascinating woman!
I do love Christie, and this makes me love her even more! I knew she was involved in the petition but didn’t know her second husband was Catholic. I so enjoy listening to her stories on audiobook-it makes the suspense feel all the more real time!
I really love that she had strong morals AND a strong sense of humor!
I also didn’t realize her husband was Catholic. There is actually a very good book about her role in helping to save the TLM called “The Latin Mass and the Intellectuals”
She also read Chesterton's Fr. Brown Mysteries and referenced them in one of her own novels! This is a great post. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Maddie! I really appreciate you sharing!
I did not know any of this! Fascinating! Thanks for sharing :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!
I've read a number of Golden Age detective authors and many, although not all, seem to have been devout Christians. Even those that weren't Christians had a strong streak of Christian morality (for example, Margery Allingham, who wasn't a Christian as far as I know, but wrote an entire novel around her detective's refusal to commit adultery, in spite of strong temptation).
Oh that’s so interesting! Dorothy Sayers really had an interesting perspective on faith as well.
I always thought I didn’t like mysteries until I tried Agatha Christie and others of that era, and now I am hooked. I didn’t know about Christie’s faith until now, so maybe part of the appeal to me has to do with the fact that they were Christian. Also, the writing is brilliant - I wish modern day writers would take a lesson in innuendo - that you don’t need graphic and sexual content to make a story appealing.
Yes! The subtlety she uses is a lost art!!
I LOVE Agatha Christie but really have never taken the time to learn much of her personal background. Honestly, I was recently wondering if she was a woman of faith (just read And Then There Was None…) so this article (shared by Maddie) was perfectly timed.
I didn’t think I could appreciate her more than I already have, but what a fascinating character she was. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!!
This was so fascinating!
Thank you so much!! I hoped you would like it as a fellow Christie fan!
At the recommendation of a friend of mine, I read Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie this past summer. It wasn't Christie's usual fare, and it was so thought-provoking. My friend told me this book prompted - if memory serves - 3 visits to the Confessional. This is a book that will encourage self-reflection. In the beginning, Joan (the protagonist) has a moment where she is self-righteous after running into an old friend. Joan ends up missing a train and is stranded in a desert for days on end... "If you'd nothing to think about but yourself for days on end I wonder what you'd find out about yourself?" - Agatha Christie (Joan musing about what her friend Blanche had said to her) More of Joan's musings: "You didn't know because it was so much easier to believe the pleasant easy things that you would like to be true, and not distress yourself with the things that really were true." - Agatha Christie (More of Joan's musings.) I had to copy down this quote too: "...but he was sick and tired of a prudent careful world that counted the cost of everything before doing it and never took a risk." - Agatha Christie (Joan's husband Rodney in response to Joan saying her friend Leslie's pregnancy is "foolish") Agatha Christie was such a fascinating woman!
Oh wow, what a wonderful recommendation! Thank you for this comment, I need to check this one out soon!
You’re welcome! I enjoyed reading your post and learning more about Agatha Christie.