Mon 14 Apr 2014
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: AGATHA CHRISTIE – The Man in the Brown Suit.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[9] Comments
William F. Deeck
AGATHA CHRISTIE – The Man in the Brown Suit. Dodd Mead, US, hardcover, 1924. First published by John Lane/The Bodley Head, UK, hardcover, 1924. Reprinted many times since, in both hardcover and soft. First serialised in the London Evening News under the title Anne the Adventurous, 29 November 1923 to 28 January 1924 (50 installments). TV Movie: CBS, 1988, with Stephanie Zimbalist (Anne Beddingfeld), Rue McClanahan, Tony Randall, Edward Woodward (Sir Eustace Pedler), Ken Howard (Gordon Race).
While I am tempted to say that this is something of a departure by Christie, that would merely demonstrate my ignorance, as this is one of her earlier works.
Here she has written a thriller featuring an intelligent, on all but a few occasions, young lady who is seeking adventure. When Anne Beddingfield observes a supposed accidental death at a tube station and suspicious behavior by an alleged doctor, she connects this with a murder the same day. Soon she is spending her meager inheritance for a berth on the Kilmorden Castle, en route to South Africa, in pursuit of the alleged murderer, the Man in the Brown Suit.
Developments are revealed through the viewpoints of Beddingfield and Sir Eustace Pedler, M.P., both drolly and sillily, if there is such a word. Good fun and, incidentally, a forerunner to…
But you don’t want to know that, do you? I had that knowledge when I started the novel, and it didn’t spoil the pleasure. Other people may be less complaisant.
April 15th, 2014 at 2:00 am
I haven’t read this book in some 55 years, maybe more. Anyone know what Bill was talking about in those last couple of lines?
April 15th, 2014 at 10:43 am
One of my top five Christie books. I re-read it every few years alongside THEY CAME TO BAGHDAD (which is another of her ‘thrillers’) and several other faves. For me, Chrisite is the perfect ‘comfort’ read.
Both of these books have yet to be made in competent films. The one you mention was for me unwatchable. Chrisite has never Americanized well.
By the way, I know which book you’re talking about in those last few lines, but I’m keeping mum. I will say this: in my view, the gimmick was better handled in THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT.
April 15th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
It was filmed for television, which isn’t quite the same thing, but completely agree that Christie’s work should not be Americanized, nor taken out of period.
April 15th, 2014 at 4:36 pm
Another vote to keep Christie British and in period, the adaptation was just awful despite an attractive cast.
We sometimes forget Christie’s playful side when concentrating on her genius at puzzles and mystery mongering. Most of her thrillers are fun to read and often as twisty as her puzzle books.
You don’t often see a character played by Ken Howard and David Niven like Colonel Race here.
April 15th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
An addition to my prior observation. Stephanie Zimbalist and Rue McClanahan can keep their parts. Lovely.
David Niven, fine. Ken Howard, ugh.
April 16th, 2014 at 11:25 am
I read the book ten years ago and was rather disappointed. For me it is not one of Christie’s best works.
April 18th, 2014 at 11:59 pm
I am with Josef. This wasn’t too impressive.
April 19th, 2014 at 12:49 am
As I said in comment one, it’s been a long time for me, but while I don’t remember a single detail, other than what Bill brings up in his review, I think my non-critical self at 18 kind of liked it. Just a general impression I have, that’s all. Wish I had time to read it again.
May 11th, 2014 at 10:36 am
Since this post I have dug out a the series/collection that ‘Brown Suit’ was part of, screened them all and found the three with Ustinov, Dead Man’s Folly, Murder In Three Acts, Dinner For Thirteen, to be first rate, writing, production and performances. Helen Hayes as Miss Marple requires a slight adjustment, but Sparkling Cyanide, despite the fine cast was brutal, in production, flat direction, and most of all, writing. “Brown Suit’ was close to ‘Cyanide’ but dare I say, far superior. In any case, the package was well worth the money and time spent viewing. And even ‘Cyanide’ had strengths — Anthony Andrews in the lead transcended the dross.