The Count Down Begins. Review on And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie

For a change, let me start a book review directly with the plot….

Ten strangers, one little island, one nursery rhyme. It was not pure chance that has got them together… there is a sinister motive behind.

Ten little Soldier boys went out to dine;

One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Victim: Anthony Marston

Method: Choked to death after a drink

Accused of: Running over two kids while on his speeding vehicle

Nine little Soldier boys sat up very late;

One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Victim: Mrs Rogers

Method: Died in her sleep(Poison)

Accused of: Not providing necessary life saving medicine to an old lady, thus causing her death

Eight little Soldier boys traveling in Devon;

One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.

Victim: Col. McArthur

Method: Clubbed behind his head while looking towards Devon

Accused of: Sending his subordinate(also his wife’s lover) on an errand, that caused his death.

… and the poem continues…. and so does the deaths.

A few points:

1. What is common to all the victims?: The victims are accused of committing certain acts during their lifetime, which resulted in death of an innocent person. These may or may not be without a motive, but at the same time well beyond the reach of the law to be called as a murder.

   
   




2. The Methodology: The murderer has tried to follow the nursery rhyme as closely as possible, choosing weapons on basis of that.

   
   




3. Can the killer be an outsider?: Agatha Cristie has very clearly clarified in the novel that there could not be anyone who could either come from outside to the island or hide in the island. Hence essentially, it is one of the ten on the island. That makes it even more thrilling.

   
   

A Few Facts on the Novel:

This novel has sold more than 100 million copies till date, making it the highest selling mystery novel of all times. As per critics, this is held among the best of Agatha Christie, at the same level as Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Initially tis novel was called Ten Little Niggers. However, due to obvious reasons, the name was changed subsequently. Since its publication in 1939, this novel has been adapted umpteen number of times as stage plays and movies, including one lose imitation in a famous Hindi Film. The setting of the films have changed from a lonely island to deserts of Iran to African Safari – but sadly enough, most of them have twisted the story a bit or changed the ending, which takes the biggest suspense away from the novel.

My Review:

Till I read this, I thought I know the patterns of Agatha Christie. But this one is so intriguing and above all so incredibly unbelievable, that its is impossible to stop till you finish the novel. Its extremely gripping and does not give a moment of dullness.

The characterization is so beautiful that you start identifying with them.

It is a MUST READ.*

My View on the Hindi Movie:

From the plot outlined here(even from the one at the back of the book), one can definitely make out which is the Hindi Film that is an adaptation of this novel(without giving any credit to the novel). So I got into the novel assuming that since I have seen the Hindi Film, I can make out who the culprit is.

But believe me, I was in for a surprise.

The Hindi Film, though gripping in its own way and at times comically thrilling, It has lost on most of the elements of the novel. So even if you have seen the movie, pl read the novel, you won’t be disappointed.