daryn's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
thequeeraunt's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is the point at which I would recommend readers begin the Hercule Poirot mysteries. Not to disparage Christie's earlier Poirot novels, but they are a very different reading experience. The Mystery of the Blue Train is the first of the Poirot novels that is told in a third-person point-of-view, which is a much more familiar narrative structure to modern readers than the previous second-person stories.
While the racism isn't as prevalent in this novel as in some of the previous ones (looking at you, The Big Four), there is still language and some characterizations which are less-than-savory to modern sensibilities. If you can get past the 1920's-era casual racism and misogyny, The Mystery of the Blue Train is a fairly well-plotted whodunit with a surprising reveal.
While the racism isn't as prevalent in this novel as in some of the previous ones (looking at you, The Big Four), there is still language and some characterizations which are less-than-savory to modern sensibilities. If you can get past the 1920's-era casual racism and misogyny, The Mystery of the Blue Train is a fairly well-plotted whodunit with a surprising reveal.
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Antisemitism, and Misogyny
b_harrington's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Not one of Agatha’s best.
Quite a lot of casual racism, specifically antisemitic stereotypes. Clumsy potholes.
Quite a lot of casual racism, specifically antisemitic stereotypes. Clumsy potholes.
Moderate: Antisemitism, Racism, and Misogyny
It’s written in 1928 and the representations of women and minorities is not handled welltarnishedcopper's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting basis but in my opinion, . The main characters, especially Grey, are interesting and well developed, though on the stereotypical side, and Poirot was Poirot as always. The writing was fun to read. The final romance felt forced, however, and this is not a mystery the reader can solve on their own, as some key details are left out until the end.
Spoiler
the fake accusation made more sense than the actual solutionModerate: Infidelity and Murder
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
lindasoderlundd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, and Sexism
booksbyantheia's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ADVERTENCIA: no hay spoilers, pero hay referencias implícitas a la lectura.
POR PRIMERA VEZ, puedo decir que una teoría mía casi, CASI coincide con las ideas de Agatha Christie. Probablemente sea el halago más grande que me haga a mi misma nunca.
El misterio del tren azul es una de las historias mejor llevadas de Christie, y la demostración de que absolutamente cualquier narrador podía volverse brillante en su pluma. Si bien puedo ya predecir que no será de mis favoritas, la ejecución fue completamente brillante, como es costumbre en esta leyenda. Podría decir que si mi teoría casi funcionó, es porque estoy acostumbrada a sospechar cada pequeña línea y palabra escogida por ella. Y de ese modo, se ve cómo desde antes del crimen, las pistas ya están echadas. (Eso también es mérito de la excelente traducción por parte del profesional escogido por la editorial).
En fin, es una novela de misterio muy llevadera, completamente cautivante y adictiva, que te deja con muchas sensaciones. Típico de Agatha Christie. Ella también, un poco como su brillante detective "es el mismo diablo. Pero me gusta".
POR PRIMERA VEZ, puedo decir que una teoría mía casi, CASI coincide con las ideas de Agatha Christie. Probablemente sea el halago más grande que me haga a mi misma nunca.
El misterio del tren azul es una de las historias mejor llevadas de Christie, y la demostración de que absolutamente cualquier narrador podía volverse brillante en su pluma. Si bien puedo ya predecir que no será de mis favoritas, la ejecución fue completamente brillante, como es costumbre en esta leyenda. Podría decir que si mi teoría casi funcionó, es porque estoy acostumbrada a sospechar cada pequeña línea y palabra escogida por ella. Y de ese modo, se ve cómo desde antes del crimen, las pistas ya están echadas. (Eso también es mérito de la excelente traducción por parte del profesional escogido por la editorial).
En fin, es una novela de misterio muy llevadera, completamente cautivante y adictiva, que te deja con muchas sensaciones. Típico de Agatha Christie. Ella también, un poco como su brillante detective "es el mismo diablo. Pero me gusta".
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Religious bigotry
karenaerts's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Minor: Misogyny
More...