Agatha Christie biography explores magnificent legacy

Agatha Christie biography explores magnificent legacyFrom the pen of famed historian Lucy Worsley comes a compelling biography of one of the world's most famous writers, Agatha Christie.

by Carmen Coetsee

21-01-2023 00:10

in Books

New biography by historian Lucy Worsley invites readers into the somewhat mysterious figure of Agatha Christie. Image via Twitter @HodderBooks.

British-born author Dame Agatha Christie is a name known by almost everyone. Her novels, characters and plays have cemented her as one of the best murder-mystery writers of all time.

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Christie, who passed away on 12 January 1976 at the age of 85, wrote 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections. She was the mastermind behind some of the most famous literary characters such as Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.

Even though her work is famous all around the world, the real woman behind the fame is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. Her career and personal life still raise many questions.

Did she really disappear for a week and go and live another life? Did she align herself with the feminists of her day? Why is her writing so often critiqued?

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Historian Lucy Worsley tackles these questions and many more in her new book, Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman.

BIOGRAPHY SHOWS AGATHA CHRISTIE IN NEW LIGHT Historian Lucy Worsley with her latest novel, Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman. Image via Twitter @Lucy_Worlsey. Through her writing, it is clear that Worsley is a big Agatha Christie fan, and this makes her the perfect person to introduce the real woman behind the public image of the mysterious writer.

Worsley's writing style is so ideally suited for non-fiction writing that her work almost reads like fiction. With beautiful writing steeped in research, Worsley finds that rare balance of history and humanity.

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My favourite element of this book is the many excepts from Christie's dairies and letters. Readers get a clear sense of who this formidable writer really was. Worsley also opens the world of 20th century Britain as she explores the ins and outs of Christie's personality and books.

PRAISE FOR LUCY WORSLEY Lucy I noticed you put a bottle of cherry brandy in your bag when you went to work, is there something you d like to tell me?

Well there IS something I d like to tell you, but I can t, it s top secret. @HarperCollinsUK @HarperCollins @JeanKwok @katemosse @RuthWareWriter pic.twitter.com/2O5tcu8wD7

Lucy Worsley (@Lucy_Worsley) July 31, 2022

One brilliant woman writing about another: an irresistible combination .

Bestselling author Antonia Fraser One of the most delightful biographies I have ever read .

Journalist A.N. Wilson Gripping, revealing, and ultimately extremely moving .

Amanda Foreman ALSO READ: Transcend': A modern woman's guide to navigating life and ambition

MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR I m sure you ve missed me tweeting about my Agatha Christie book, it s been a whole ten minutes or so, so here s a podcast about her long and exciting life, from the excellent team at @HistoryExtra, to get you back into the groove for 2023. https://t.co/hehTjnXtYO

Lucy Worsley (@Lucy_Worsley) January 13, 2023

Dr Lucy Worsley is a British-born historian, author, curator, and television presenter.

The 49-year-old is joint chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, but she is best known as a presenter of BBC Television series on historical topics. On her website, Worsley describes herself as by day, Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, and by night a writer of history books .

Agatha Christie is published by Hodder and Stoughton and is available for purchase at Exclusive Books stores for R414.

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/books/agatha-christie-biograph...
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