Maybe I'm missing something but this was just OK? I genuinely don't know why it's considered a Christmas classic when we have actual Christmas classicMaybe I'm missing something but this was just OK? I genuinely don't know why it's considered a Christmas classic when we have actual Christmas classics such as A Christmas Carol. It's a bit twee, a bit obvious and to be honest I really disliked the obvious stereotyped gender roles. Della feels like Jim's mother, not his wife. Yes, I know it's over 100 years old, but I've read better, older, classics. Maybe it's an American thing....more
I can see where Bram Stoker got his inspiration from here, as there is indeed many glimmers of Gothic horror, however for the most part I found this iI can see where Bram Stoker got his inspiration from here, as there is indeed many glimmers of Gothic horror, however for the most part I found this incredibly dull. The first two thirds rely heavily on atmosphere and an under current of menace but there's just not much plot. The last third ramps up the drama, as we dive into Carmilla's past and eventual uncovering however even then I couldn't find it all that interesting.
First time reading A Midsummer Night's Dream many years ago I thought this was my favourite of Shakespeares plays. However on reread I'm not sure it iFirst time reading A Midsummer Night's Dream many years ago I thought this was my favourite of Shakespeares plays. However on reread I'm not sure it is anymore. The bulk of plot, surrounding four young people from Athens and their run ins with Fairies and resulting love mix ups, is over very quickly. And the play within a play didn't really add anything of importance. I read this in conjunction with watching a BBC documentary, and that certainly added to my enjoyment - I always think Shakespeare should be performed, not read, however this doesn't knock Macbeth from that top spot anymore for me. ...more
I DNF'd this last year but I do occasionally revisit books I haven't finished if it fits Readathon prompts etc. Anyway, I wish I'd left this in the unI DNF'd this last year but I do occasionally revisit books I haven't finished if it fits Readathon prompts etc. Anyway, I wish I'd left this in the unhaul pile. It's just dull, which for an espionage novel with amateur sleuths isn't good. I also found Tommy and Tuppence really contrived as characters who's only interesting characteristic is a will-they-won't-they relationship that's stalled due to the two characters being separated for part of the story.
As its Agatha Christie I might pick up the next one, but this series is way down my list of reads. ...more
The only thing I liked about this was the offhand mention of St Mary Mead as the place where character Katherine is from. Otherwise I just didn't likeThe only thing I liked about this was the offhand mention of St Mary Mead as the place where character Katherine is from. Otherwise I just didn't like this convoluted mystery. I know Christie is known for her large cast of characters, but this time I really couldn't keep a good track of them. The story itself sounds interesting - rich heiress and a magnificent missing ruby, however the conclusion was ridiculous and far fetched enough to be farcical. ...more
This has another short story, but I only read The Nutcracker because, quite frankly, that was unhinged enough.
This was probably one of the strangest sThis has another short story, but I only read The Nutcracker because, quite frankly, that was unhinged enough.
This was probably one of the strangest stories I've read. We have a psychopath mouse queen who wants to eat everything - including babies, we have a sad boy Nutcracker who's actually real and just cursed, and we have some kind of magical wonderland with Christmas trees thrown in. Absolute carnage, and I'm still not entirely sure what I read. For 90 pages this also took me about 5 days to read because I just could not find the energy to pick this up.
This is a great example of a plot running away with itself. It's as though Agatha Christie decided to just rip up the rule book and go all out on the This is a great example of a plot running away with itself. It's as though Agatha Christie decided to just rip up the rule book and go all out on the most ridiculous spy plot I've ever read. Think Hercule Poirot and Hastings chasing down multinational masterminds who go around poisoning people and plotting the end of the world. At one point Poirot dresses up in disguise. It just doesn't feel like a Poirot book, but rather some kind of madcap fever dream of jetsetting and jumping from trains and oddly connected chapters.
If you're a casual Christie reader, give this one a miss. This one is overshadowed for a reason. ...more
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