Appointment With Agatha discussion

Let the discussion begin!

I have two very different editions of this book! I borrowed a physical book and an ebook from my library. Just from the first two chapters, the physical book seems to be an abridged version of the ebook.

The first instance is this, where the underlined text was removed from the physical book.

“Her laughter was so infectious that I could not help joining in, though I hardly cared for the word ‘mutt’. The girl was certainly all that I most disliked, but that was no reason why I should make myself ridiculous by my attitude. I prepared to unbend. After all, she was decidedly pretty…”

There are several more one-sentence abridgements before a longer section involving several paragraphs is removed later in the chapter.

They both have the same cover (blue and green with people playing golf) and are both published by Harper Collins, but the physical abridged book was published in the US in 2011 and the ebook was published in the UK in 2015. I’m not sure if they correspond to the original US and UK versions when the book was first published. Does anybody know why there are different versions? And does this happen for the other books too?

I'm reading a physical paperback copy published in the UK so I'll check which edition it is when I get home and compare the paragraphs you quote.

How unusual though to find an abridged paperback and an unabridged ebook - you would have thought it would be the other way round!

Just started this and am enjoying it.

Maggie wrote: "I have two very different editions of this book! I borrowed a physical book and an ebook from my library. Just from the first two chapters, the physical book seems to be an abridged version of the ..."

My paperback copy is the Agatha Christie Signature Edition published by Harper Collins in the UK in 2001. It doesn't have the underlined section.

Ruth wrote: "Maggie wrote: "I have two very different editions of this book! I borrowed a physical book and an ebook from my library. Just from the first two chapters, the physical book seems to be an abridged ..."

Thanks for checking, Ruth. Project Gutenberg has the unabridged version, if you're interested. I've read the first five chapters and as far as I can tell, most (or all?) of the changes were in the first two chapters. The parts that were taken out don't contribute much to the main plot, but they are often humorous and give Poirot and Hastings life. I think it's worth it reading at least the unabridged version of the second chapter. It was quite heavily abridged and the abridged version is somewhat uneven.

That's interesting , thanks Maggie. Has anyone else had experience of abridged vs. unabridged versions and how they came about?

I'm starting this today, and excited to finally find a Hugh Fraser audio. I'm looking forward to it!

Maggie wrote: "I have two very different editions of this book! I borrowed a physical book and an ebook from my library. Just from the first two chapters, the physical book seems to be an abridged version of the ..."

How very interesting. -- The "unabridged" Hugh Fraser audio is, in fact, the abridged version, too.

This novel was first serialized in a magazine -- could it be that the kindle / ebook versions (including on Project Gutenberg) are drawn from the early magazine version, whereas the cuts were made when it was subsequently published in book form ... and have remained with the "(bound) book form" version ever since?

We need some Christie scholars!

So Poirot just tricked Hastings into telling him where the Cinderella girl was staying and Hastings doesn't even realize it.

I wonder whether it would be possible for a beautiful woman (in Hastings's eyes) to trick Hastings into committing murder for her...

I've pulled together my thoughts on 'The Murder On The Links'. My review is here:
https://mikefinnsfiction.wordpress.co...

Mike wrote: "I've pulled together my thoughts on 'The Murder On The Links'. My review is here:
https://mikefinnsfiction.wordpress.co..."

Excellent review -- and you're so right about the "blind spot" narrator.

Great job on the review, Mike. I'm still finishing up this novel and find Hastings both aggravating and amusing.

Finished. It was amusing. Hastings was more annoying this time around, and Poirot was marginally less so.

I don’t like instalove in this any better than in stories written today.

Many coincidences, but meh. I can suspend disbelief.

I still haven't started. I'm in a bit of a reading slump. I hate when this happens but I just can't get going at the moment.

Teresa, I am too. If it weren’t for audio books. I can’t say I’ve cracked one physical book this month.

Good to know I'm not alone. I'm listening to Agnes Grey on audio while doing my housework. Even that hasn't been going too well. Need to get my finger out.

Oh yes. Audiobooks have become my go-to.

Teresa wrote: "I still haven't started. I'm in a bit of a reading slump. I hate when this happens but I just can't get going at the moment."

I've been in a reading slump on and off this year. It sucks.

It most certainly does Susanna. Reading is 'my life's blood' and I find it very difficult when I can't pick up a book.

I agree, I’m so glad for the GR groups and friends here, it’s nice to have the connection with fellow book lovers and talk about books even if my reading has been sporadic. It’s made me feel a little more grounded.

Teresa wrote: "I still haven't started. I'm in a bit of a reading slump. I hate when this happens but I just can't get going at the moment."

How about watching the TV adaptation? It’s available on youtube. Then you could participate in the -along without reading the book :)

Brenda wrote: "I agree, I’m so glad for the GR groups and friends here, it’s nice to have the connection with fellow book lovers and talk about books even if my reading has been sporadic. It’s made me feel a litt..."

Yes I agree too, Brenda, I've been finding reading difficult at times this year and it's comforting to find I'm not alone.

I’ve had to put many books aside this year as I just couldn’t concentrate. The ones I’ve been able to read, I’ve enjoyed, but find that I don’t remember them

You all are definitely not alone finding it difficult to focus on books this year. I have had spells of this, too.

So good to read all the comments here. I'm never without a book on the go but the last couple of weeks have been no go!! And I HATE not being able to read. I think I'll go for it on audio. I really want to read it for the group.

Maggie wrote: "Teresa wrote: "I still haven't started. I'm in a bit of a reading slump. I hate when this happens but I just can't get going at the moment."

How about watching the TV adaptation? It’s available on..."

I've watched it multiple times Maggie. I love Poiret. I'd feel like I was cheating if I didn't read it :):)

I did just watch it right after I read the book and did very much enjoy it, however there are a few marked differences.

Must watch out for those next time I watch it. Poiret is always being shown on tv over here. I nearly know some of them off by heart :)

I haven’t done an inventory but have noticed many on YouTube.
There’s a few Lord Peter Whimsy as well, I’ve watched a couple of those recently. Good fun!!

Now that's something I've never watched. I must look into it. I remember it on television here. Ian Carmichael played the part.

Maybe those are the older ones I’ve not watched yet, the couple I watched had Harriet Walter and Edward Petherbridge. I do want to watch the older ones, I think The Nine Tailors is one of those.

Oh the one I mentioned is definitely old!! I didn't know there was another version. I really like Harriet Walter. She's a great actress.

Yes, me too! I “met” her on Downtown Abbey but have since seen her in other things.

She was in the recent adaptation of Belgravia, Julian Fellowes novel. Have you seen it? Or read it?

I read it, have not seen it but am going to look out for it. Thanks
Also going to be watching Rebecca soon.

It's an excellent adaptation. Which Rebecca? Older or newer?

Older. The good one. 😁 Olivier and Fontaine.

I saw the newest 2020 trailer and it looks splashy and pretty but read it’s not very true. I don’t have Netflix anyway.

Wow Brenda didn't realise there was a 2020 version. I saw one that was done in 1997 with Emilia Fox and Charles Dance. I didn't like it. Very wishy washy. I don't have netflix either.

I like both of the actresses, but they seem miscast. It’s pretty but too fluffy looking. Too Hollywood theatrical perhaps.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81002196

Thanks for that Brenda. Looks very updated Hollywoodised but I wouldn't mind seeing it for comparison. I love doing that!

Oh no, I totally agree. That’s why I looked into it. I was bummed It wasn’t available for me, so sorta glad it seems the reviews were a bit mixed. Made me feel better. Lol

My daughter has Netflix. I might watch it. If I do I'll let you know what I think.

I like the Carmichaels well enough, but prefer Petherbridge. And Harriet Walter is a superb Harriet Vane.

Ok Teresa!

Susanna I agree about Harriet! I’ll have to watch Carmichaels but Petherbridge is good and pairs well with Harriet. And his name just screams someone destined to at least play a noble. Lol

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "I like the Carmichaels well enough, but prefer Petherbridge. And Harriet Walter is a superb Harriet Vane."

Yes to all of that!

Teresa wrote: "My daughter has Netflix. I might watch it. If I do I'll let you know what I think."

Re Rebecca (2020) - I liked the photography, but the characters were miscast. Kristin Scott Thomas is excellent, but they changed Mrs Danvers in the script.
There were quite a few changes to the book that I disagreed with. I felt that many of them were made to "explain" the story and characters to the audience and I thought it was very patronising.
It also seemed that they were focusing on the "romance" angle, which was somewhat ludicrous and was another departure from the book.

OK I've finally started it. I'm listening to the audio and I love Hugh Frazer's reading. I've read the book before but wanted to do it with the group. Enjoying it so far.

Teresa wrote: "Wow Brenda didn't realise there was a 2020 version. I saw one that was done in 1997 with Emilia Fox and Charles Dance. I didn't like it. Very wishy washy. I don't have netflix either."

I just watched the 1997 version and quite liked it. The Favell character was particularly lascivious.