The novel delves into the complexities of guilt, justice, and the dark recesses of the human psyche in the face of impending mortality.
1. Introduction
2. Characters
3. Plot Summary
4. Review
5. Conclusion
Introduction
In a remote island, ten guests with secrets to hide are invited. Throughout the mansion, frames with eerie nursery rhymes are hung, each depicting a guest's demise as per the rhyme's content. 'And Then There Were None' is a mystery novel, written by Agatha Christie, the undisputed queen of detective fiction, with over a billion copies sold, making it the best-selling mystery novel worldwide since its publication. It is one of the top three detective novels in the world. Countless movies and dramas have been produced based on this masterpiece, and it holds the number one spot on Agatha Christie's personal list of favorite works.
Agatha Christie was born on September 15, 1890, in Devon, England. She was the youngest of three siblings, born to Frederick Alvah Miller, a New Yorker, and Clara Boehmer, a British native. She spent her early years in a Victorian-style home known as Ashfield, where she acquired many influences that shaped her later life. At the age of eleven, after her father's death, she moved to Paris at sixteen to study singing and piano. Returning to England in 1912, she married Colonel Archibald Christie two years later and began working as a voluntary nurse when her husband joined the war effort. A lover of mystery novels, she published her first work, 'The Mysterious Affair at Styles,' in 1916. She continued to write, publishing 66 novels and 20 short story collections until her death on December 12, 1976, at the age of 86, at a mansion outside London. She remains the most beloved detective fiction writer in the world, known as the 'Queen of Crime.'
'And Then There Were None' is considered one of Agatha Christie's greatest novels, often cited whenever discussing logically explained mysteries for generations to come.
Characters
The story begins with eight individuals invited to a remote island, each with their own reasons for accepting the invitation. They are invited by a person named Ulick Norman Owen, who sends letters to the following individuals, inviting them to Indian Island. Owen's wife, Una Nancy Owen, is also referred to as U.N. Owen.
- Isaac Morris: A Jew who acts as Owen's representative, he sends Lombard on a mysterious mission to the island.
- Lawrence John Wargrave: A retired judge with the nickname 'The Hanging Judge,' famous for his lack of mercy and harsh sentencing during his time on the bench.
- Vera Elizabeth Claythorne: A former governess who briefly worked as the Owen couple's secretary before coming to the island, claiming she has done nothing wrong.
- Philip Lombard: A former soldier who served in Africa, he is sent to the island by Morris on a mysterious mission and is the only one armed with a firearm.
- Emily Caroline Brent: An elderly single woman with strong religious beliefs, known for her strict morals and extreme puritanism.
- General John Gordon Macarthur: A World War I hero, he confidently asserts that no one among them will escape the island as people start dying one by one.
- Dr. Edward George Armstrong: A renowned London doctor who conducts autopsies and prepares drugs to investigate and administer relief for the tragedy on the island.
- Anthony James Marston: A carefree young man, seemingly born into wealth with no clear profession, known for his handsome looks but also for his irresponsibility and lack of morals.
- William Henry Blore: Initially posing as a man named Davis from South Africa, he is eventually revealed to be a former private detective from Scotland Yard.
- Thomas and Ethel Rogers: The servants, a married couple, who receive the guests at the mansion on the island.
Plot Summary
Each of the ten individuals invited to Soldier Island has a hidden secret. They discover strange verses hung in various places throughout the mansion, hinting at each person's demise. The story unfolds with ten little Indian boys going out to dine; one chokes and dies, leaving nine. The remaining guests experience bizarre incidents that match the verses, leading to their deaths one by one until none are left.
Ten little Indian boys went out to dine.
One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little Indian boys sat up very late.
One overslept himself and then there were eight.
Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon.
One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.
Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks.
One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.
Six little Indian boys playing with a hive.
A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.
Five little Indian boys going in for law.
One got in Chancery and then there were four.
Four little Indian boys going out to sea.
A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.
Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo.
A big bear hugged one and then there were two.
Two little Indian boys sitting in the sun.
One got all frizzled up and then there was one.
One little Indian boy left all alone.
He went and hanged himself and then there were none.
As the story progresses, it is revealed that each person on the island has contributed to someone's death, though not all are direct murderers. Dr. Edward George Armstrong indirectly caused the death of Louisa Mary Clees, Emily Caroline Brent was responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor, William Henry Blore killed James Stephen Landor, Vera Elizabeth Claythorne led Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton to his death, Philip Lombard was involved in the deaths of twenty-one natives in East Africa, General John Gordon Macarthur caused the death of Arthur Richmond, Anthony James Marston killed John and Lucy Combes, Thomas and Ethel Rogers were responsible for the death of Jennifer Brady, and Lawrence John Wargrave caused the death of Edward Seton.
As each guest dies according to the verses, suspicion and fear grip the remaining survivors. They are isolated on the island, unable to trust one another, and paranoia escalates, leading to their ultimate demise.
Despite expecting a final showdown or duel between the last surviving person and the killer, ultimately, everyone dies, leaving no one behind on the island.
Review
Since childhood, I've always enjoyed reading mystery novels. I indulged in popular series like Sherlock Holmes and Arsène Lupin. Naturally, I ventured into the works of Agatha Christie, hailed as the queen of mystery novels. Initially, I was skeptical about diving into works from roughly eighty years ago, fearing they might feel outdated or too simplistic compared to modern narratives. However, after reading "And Then There Were None" and "Murder on the Orient Express," I was thoroughly impressed. It made me realize that Christie's acclaim is well-deserved, not just a product of popular sentiment.
Personally, I find that mystery novels transitioning into the realm of forensic science in contemporary settings often limit the roles detectives can play, making them less realistic and compelling. Therefore, I have a penchant for stories set in earlier periods, where depictions of the lifestyles, etiquette, and culture of Western aristocrats add an extra layer of enjoyment. Watching these depictions come to life in film adaptations and TV dramas is also delightful.
The plot of "And Then There Were None" is straightforward. Ten seemingly unconnected individuals, including a judge, a doctor, a retired detective, and a married couple working as butlers, arrive on a remote island known as Soldier Island. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that each character harbors a dark secret from their past, leading to their eventual deaths. Unlike novels focused solely on unraveling murder mysteries, this book allows for a deeper exploration of each character's backstory. The rapid pace of events and the constant sense of suspense kept me engaged throughout.
Typically, mystery novels lose their allure upon discovering the identity of the culprit, but "And Then There Were None" proved to be an exception. Revisiting the story, I found new meaning in uncovering the truth behind the bizarre crimes depicted in the novel. Its concise length makes it akin to watching a captivating film. I was pleased to find out that it has been adapted into a three-part TV drama, which, apart from a slight deviation in the ending, remains faithful to the original.
The idea of one of the deceased being the culprit may not seem particularly novel nowadays. However, considering that this novel was published 80 years ago, it would have been sensational at the time. Even in the 1980s, this setting would have been groundbreaking. In fact, many subsequent mysteries and thrillers likely drew inspiration from this work.
Personally, I think the title is brilliantly chosen. Titles like "Murder on a Remote Island" or "Death on Mystery Island" would have been bland, but "And Then There Were None" leaves a sense of intrigue with its implied unfinished sentence. It evokes a poetic feeling, setting the mood even before you start reading.
Final Thoughts
This classic mystery novel, reminiscent of the golden age of detective fiction, still holds relevance today. It reminds us that discrepancies in sentencing criteria and the influence of competent defense attorneys or internal corruption can lead to vastly different outcomes in criminal justice. Reflecting on the confession of the culprit in this novel, one can't help but sympathize to some extent.
Moreover, the fact that this novel remains captivating even after surpassing several decades speaks volumes about its status as a classic of the mystery genre.
