#阅读分享#施工完成
The Mysterious Affair at Styles ★★★☆
Captain Hastings had arrived at Styles Court, as he was invited by his recently re-united friend John Cavendish, wishing to spend some calm, relaxing days. Little did he know, not only that he stepped right into a messy family scene that uncontrollably brewed into a tragic death, but also this case turned out to be too complicated for anyone to untangle…
Only if there is an esteemed detective, a capable detective like…
"Mon ami Hastings!" he cried. "It is indeed mon ami Hastings!"
Voila! With such quotidian greetings, Hercule Poirot has made his entrance--thus joyfully embarking on a long, fascinating and timeless journey that is decorated by clues, wonders, secrets and most importantly, mysteries.
And it all started there, at the good old Styles Court.
——
For some reason, I always have had this image of a very serious, very cool Hercule Poirot in my head: an extraordinarily looking short man conducting his investigation in a similarly concise, serious, and logical way, with a straight face, in his fancy suit.
So, contrary to Hastings gloomy reunion with childhood memory Styles Court, I found myself pleasantly surprised to “re-unite” with this very different Hercule Poirot in "The Mysterious Affair at Styles".
Firstly, Ive got a confession to make. The reunion wasnt all positive, given that I somehow portrayed Hercule Poirot to be a much more “perfect” detective. And to be honest, even knowing that this is Agatha Christies first detective novel, the debut of Hercule Poirot is far from being a top-notch detective story.
To be more specific, the plot is relatively well-designed, complemented by a set of interesting characters and a mysterious setting; but it is also burdened by chatters, distracted by random passing thoughts and, most underminingly, wrapped up in a flawed and slightly messy finale: Poirots explanation, instead of supposedly giving all the answers, leaves too many loopholes to cast doubts upon.
But! I find myself feeling rather jolly to see “the perfect detective Poirot” crumbling in my mind, as a much more fun and lively Hercule Poirot now settles in and is staying for good.
In "The Mysterious Affair at Styles", it is not Poirots insightful deductions based on minute clues—though they are a joy to read—that fascinates me, instead it is his shrewdness in deciphering people and their lives. His detective brilliance comes from his passion for life and a burning curiosity in observing peoples ways of life. And he doesnt shout or budget things into happening; no, he gently, smoothly observes and leads things to fall into its rightful place.
Well, it might not be the best detective story…but I am pretty sure that no one will dislike this book, for its lighthearted chatters, vivid interactions and dialogues (and Hastings, who asks all the wrong questions before me and makes me feel pretty good), and this warm passion for life.
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