by Agatha Christie, audiobook narrated by David Suchet (Compact Disc Christie)
Having had the honor of performing as Hercule Poirot in a 2018 production of the Agatha Christie play “Black Coffee” at the Lincoln Community playhouse, I am hoping to also audition for that role in a production of “Murder on the Orient Express” at the Community Players theater in Beatrice in a few months. As part of my preparations for auditioning, I wanted to retrain myself in the sound of Poirot’s unusual French/Belgian accent, especially as captured by actor David Suchet in his long-running take on that character in the television series Agatha Christie’s Poirot.
Therefore, I decided to listen to several of the Poirot novels in audiobook form, staring with those that are actually narrated/performed by Suchet himself. The libraries have audiobook versions of nearly all of the 33 Poirot novels, but only 6 with narration by Suchet. (Curiosly enough, actor Hugh Fraser, who portrayed Poirot’s English friend and companion, Captain Hastings, in the TV series, is the more common Christie audiobook narrator). As it happens, Suchet DID do this audiobook adaptation of Poirot’s very first appearance, in The Mysterious Affair at Styles (originally published in 1920).
Suchet does a remarkable job of creating unique vocal characteristics for every single character in the story, both male and female. But it is his bringing to life of the eccentric little Belgian detective that makes this such a charming production. The novel itself is, of course, a classic of the mystery genre, and holds up fairly well after over 100 years. But it is Suchet’s vocal talents that are on full display in this book-on-CD.
Still highly recommended, even after this much time!
(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any other Suchet-narrated Poirot novels by Agatha Christie, or the story collection The Complete Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie — all the short stories featuring this character!)
( official Agatha Christie web site )
See also Kristin A’s earlier review of The Mysterious Affair at Styles in the November 2015 Staff Recommendations here on BookGuide!
See many more similar reviews on our specialized Agatha Christie Reviews page!
Recommended
by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service
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