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adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
A collection of short stories featuring famous detective Hercule Poirot.
Some of these stories were extremely enjoyable (stand-out favorites include THE CHOCOLATE BOX, THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHEAP FLAT, and the THE CASE OF THE MISSING WILL) but they also became somewhat redundant after a while. A few are extremely problematic in their casual racism, xenophobia, and, to a lesser extent, sexism, all of which tend to pull a modern reader out of the story a bit.
Overall, Poirot is a fun and entertaining character, and these stories are quick and interesting. This is probably not the Christie I’d recommend starting with for newcomers or casual fans, but I’m still glad that I read it!
CW: Death/violence; casual racism/sexism/xenophobia
A collection of short stories featuring famous detective Hercule Poirot.
Some of these stories were extremely enjoyable (stand-out favorites include THE CHOCOLATE BOX, THE ADVENTURE OF THE CHEAP FLAT, and the THE CASE OF THE MISSING WILL) but they also became somewhat redundant after a while. A few are extremely problematic in their casual racism, xenophobia, and, to a lesser extent, sexism, all of which tend to pull a modern reader out of the story a bit.
Overall, Poirot is a fun and entertaining character, and these stories are quick and interesting. This is probably not the Christie I’d recommend starting with for newcomers or casual fans, but I’m still glad that I read it!
CW: Death/violence; casual racism/sexism/xenophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Ugh. The short stories didn't allow for any real development or exposition and being in the POV of Hastings who is a sexist pick me constantly jealous of his friend Poirot, made for a difficult experience. Not to mention the period-typical racism including slurs...
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Most of the stories were okay (helped a lot by the fact I was listening to the audiobook while doing household chores and not reading it myself). Can't give it higher than 2 stars because of how much I was cringing at the anti-asian slurs in the first story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Murder
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: War
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
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adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Colonisation, War
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's a collection of short stories, and not a complete novel. To me, these are rather like Christie's braindumps cobbled together. Very formulaic.
Also, seeing a racial slur 5 pages in did knock me over.
Also, seeing a racial slur 5 pages in did knock me over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Xenophobia