Dame Agatha Christie’s first novel was published 100 years ago this month.
The multi-award-winning author published 80 books in her lifetime which included the stories which introduced millions to the infamous Poirot and Marple detectives.
Tony Medawar, Producer on the International Agatha Christie Festival told Invicta News that Christie was an expert writer who created characters so vivid and engaging that they would still be enjoyed a hundred years from now.
Medawar said the festival normally commemorates the author by thousands of people gathering to “connect in different ways with Agatha Christie”. However, this year the festival has had to move online due to the ongoing pandemic.
Said to be the world’s most famous author, Christie’s started her carrer with the novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles; a book which first launched the world-renowned Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. Poirot is a character beloved by many that he got a spin-off show titled Poirot which first aired in 1989 on ITV.
Medawar says Christie was a trailblazer in her field. He said: “Before anyone did anything Christie did everything.”
The International Agatha Christie’s Festival’s role is to celebrate Agatha Christie and to explore different aspects of her life and work.
Christie was not just confined to writing either. Medawar explains: “As well as being the world’s most popular author she is probably the world’s most performed woman playwright with plays for the theatre and for the radio.”
Christie’s murder mystery play ‘The Mousetrap’ is the longest ever running play. It started in 1952 and has been paused because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Scott Baker was awarded Biggest Agatha Christie Fan in Australia in 2013. He told Invicta News: “I love Agatha Christie’s books. No other author has been able to shock me with a surprise ending which makes perfect sense.”
He said that his “obsession” with the author had proved a large part in his life. After being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder Baker had an answer as to why his obsession was so great. “I think it is important to be passionate about something,” he added.
Baker has collected Agatha Christie memorabilia including several rare signed first editions of her novels, as well as creating a tribute to each of the 80 novels.
Christie’s novels are famous for their shock twists and red herrings – now common features of crime writing.
Alys Parsons was inspired by Christie’s acclaimed work to become a writer herself. She told Invicta News: “Christie’s perspective as a female crime writer allows for new issues and sections of society to be examined.”
Parsons added that she thought Christie was as extraordinary as the characters she conjured in her books. “The way she managed to have such a prolific and successful career at a time when women weren’t as respected is admirable,” she said.
She adds that Christie’s ability to create a lasting impact on a reader highlighted her skill and that it was “amazing” that her legacy has withstood the test of time.
