The Life of Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, a seaside town in Devon, England. Her father was an American businessman and her mother was English. She had an older sister and a brother. Agatha was educated at home by her mother and was a keen reader from a young age. She wrote her first poem at the age of ten and her first short story at the age of eighteen.
In 1914, Agatha married Archie Christie, a Royal Flying Corps pilot. During World War I, she worked as a volunteer nurse and pharmacist’s assistant. After the war, she and her husband settled in London, where Agatha began writing detective novels.
Agatha Christie wrote over 80 novels and short story collections, including the famous detective series featuring Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She is often called the “Queen of Crime” and is one of the best-selling authors of all time. She died on January 12, 1976, in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England.
The Works of Agatha Christie
Some of her most popular works include:
- “Murder on the Orient Express” (1934)
- “Death on the Nile” (1937)
- “And Then There Were None” (1939)
- “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” (1926)
- “The Mysterious Affair at Styles” (1920)
Agatha Christie’s novels are known for their intricate plots, surprising twists, and ingenious solutions. She often used a “closed circle” plot, in which a group of people are trapped together in a remote location and one of them is a murderer.
The Legacy of Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie’s legacy is vast and enduring. Her works have been translated into over 100 languages and have sold over 2 billion copies worldwide. Her characters and plots have inspired countless adaptations, including movies, TV shows, and stage productions.
Agatha Christie’s influence on the mystery genre is immeasurable. She is credited with developing the “whodunit” style of mystery, in which the reader is challenged to solve the crime along with the detective. She also popularized the idea of the amateur detective, who uses their intelligence and intuition to solve the crime.
Criticisms of Agatha Christie
Despite her enduring popularity, Agatha Christie has also faced criticism. Some critics have accused her of writing formulaic and predictable plots. Others have criticized her for using racist and sexist language and stereotypes in her works.
In recent years, there has been a growing discussion around the problematic elements in Agatha Christie’s works. Some scholars and fans have called for a re-evaluation of her legacy and a more critical examination of her works. However, others argue that her works should be viewed in the context of their time and that her impact on the mystery genre should not be overlooked.
Where to find us?
We have a large selection of Agatha Christie books available on our website, however they are selling very quickly. Please view our website for what stock of these books are available. To see what else we offer from our company please see below where to find us:
Wildcard Curiosities is based in Freemen’s Common Antique Centre, 8 Counting House Road, Leicester, LE2 7LT.
The centre is open from Tuesday – Friday 10am-4pm Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
There is a café and toilets on site