CURTAIN: POIROT'S LAST CASE
UK publication: 1975 (Collins)
US publication: 1975 (Dodd, Mead)
Detective: Hercule Poirot
Genre: Novel
Plot summary and comments: Christie, at 85 years old, was unable to devote the necessary concentration to a new novel; her publishers persuaded her to release Curtain, which she had written during World War II and kept back for posthumous publication, planning Poirot's final case to coincide with her own death. Hastings returns as narrator for the first time since 1937; he is visiting Poirot once more while Poirot is staying (of all places) at Styles, the scene of his first book. Hastings is probably over 50; Poirot is very old and frail, using a wig and false moustaches to keep up his vanity, and maybe about 85 years old. It is a sad and nostalgic book, in which Poirot dies about two thirds of the way through, and in which the other characters (inhabitants of Styles) are for the most part disappointed and embittered. One of Hastings' four children (Judith) is also at Styles, and it is a problem concerning her that leads Hastings himself to contemplate murder. The criminal is apparently never brought to justice, but a manuscript of Poirot's, found by Hastings after Poirot's death, reveals the truth, and the ending is very surprising. When this book was published in the US, Poirot's obituary was printed on the front page of the New York Times!
Courtesey of: http://stout.physics.ucla.edu/%7eyoder/mystery/christie.html
::READERS REVIEWS::
"The solution at the end is absolutely ingenious. Although Poirot seems a little bit off, this is a great book.The atmosphere in Styles is something you would never forget after you read this book. This is one of the best Christie's novels!"
"This is absolutely one of the best.This ranks in one of my top 3.Read this.It is a masterpiece.A shocker! "
have been reading Agatha Christie and especially Poirot for last 10 years. After reading nearly 30 novels, Poirot had been a part of life. And the feeling of not seeing or hearing Poirot any more felt as if I have lost a close friend. I never knew Agatha Christie could bring so much of emotion.
I'll rate this novel the third best I have read only after Murder of Roger Ackryod and Murder on Orient Express. I finished the novel last night and found it hard to sleep after that. Its too good.
Finally we saw the perfect murderer, who did not do anything to be found guilty of murder. The flow was smooth and being the last case of Poirot, you are tempted to suspect everybody in it. In fact this novel should be read after you have read a substantial number of Agatha Christies. Hastings keeps on giving references to past cases.
In one sentence I can sum it up as it was a wonderful and nostalgic experience going through the pages. A MUST READ.
The solution given here is fantastic and a bit bizarre and there lies the appeal of this book.
::YOUR OPINION::
