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A review by mikkareads
Endless Night by Agatha Christie
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is indeed a book by Agatha Christie, but more of a classic gothic novel than a crime story! A house that is considered cursed, two lovers whose fate seems sealed... No trace of Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot, instead a plot that derives its suspense primarily from the deep-rooted unease caused by the inexplicable. Unexpected, definitely different – but in my opinion, one of the author's best works, with a great twist that overturns everything one believed to know about the story and certain characters. As cliché as it may sound, my jaw literally dropped!
I don't want to reveal any more about the plot. However, there is one topic I would like to address:
»Why doesn't anybody like gipsies?«, the protagonist asks, and gets in reply: »They're a thieving lot. (...) Happen you've got gipsy blood yourself?«
This book was written in the 60s, and Christie frequently uses the word 'gypsy', with all the stereotypes and prejudices that were associated with it at the time. Curses. Fortune-telling. Thievery. These prejudices are obviously discriminatory, but is the word 'gypsy' problematic in itself?
Some Roma people have reclaimed and reinterpreted the word for themselves in a positive way, while a majority still considers it a racist slur. It's a delicate matter: On the one hand, novels reflect the era in which they were written, and I believe we shouldn't erase that - we must remember our past, both the good and the bad, in order to bring about positive change. On the other hand, I feel uneasy about leaving such things unaddressed. However, believe that book censorship is a very, very slippery slope that can excalate, with dire consequences for artistic freedom and freedom of speech. Therefore, I would prefer to see books accompanied by an explanatory preface or an appendix with additional information, rather than having terms or entire passages removed.
I don't want to reveal any more about the plot. However, there is one topic I would like to address:
»Why doesn't anybody like gipsies?«, the protagonist asks, and gets in reply: »They're a thieving lot. (...) Happen you've got gipsy blood yourself?«
This book was written in the 60s, and Christie frequently uses the word 'gypsy', with all the stereotypes and prejudices that were associated with it at the time. Curses. Fortune-telling. Thievery. These prejudices are obviously discriminatory, but is the word 'gypsy' problematic in itself?
Some Roma people have reclaimed and reinterpreted the word for themselves in a positive way, while a majority still considers it a racist slur. It's a delicate matter: On the one hand, novels reflect the era in which they were written, and I believe we shouldn't erase that - we must remember our past, both the good and the bad, in order to bring about positive change. On the other hand, I feel uneasy about leaving such things unaddressed. However, believe that book censorship is a very, very slippery slope that can excalate, with dire consequences for artistic freedom and freedom of speech. Therefore, I would prefer to see books accompanied by an explanatory preface or an appendix with additional information, rather than having terms or entire passages removed.