Murder on the Orient Express

Summary

In the novel «Murder on the Orient Express», the famous detective Hercule Poirot investigates the murder of American businessman Samuel Ratchett, which takes place on the Orient Express train. Poirot discovers that every passenger in the carriage has a motive for the murder and gradually uncovers that they are all connected to the kidnapping and murder of a little girl named Daisy Armstrong, for which Ratchett was responsible. Ultimately, Poirot concludes that all the passengers participated in the murder, acting as a collective to avenge Daisy's death.

Main Ideas

• Justice and morality: The book explores themes of justice and moral dilemmas associated with vigilante justice. The murder on the train is a collective act of retribution for a past crime.
• Complexity of human nature: The characters in the book are complex and multi-layered, each with their own motives and secrets.
• Role of the detective: Hercule Poirot showcases his remarkable deductive and analytical skills, demonstrating how logic and observation can unravel even the most intricate crimes.
• Social classes and prejudices: The novel touches on themes of social classes and prejudices, illustrating how they influence people's perceptions and actions.
• Illusion and reality: The book plays with the concept of illusion and reality, prompting the reader to question the obvious and seek hidden truths.

Historical Context and Significance

«Murder on the Orient Express» by Agatha Christie, published in 1934, is one of the most renowned detective novels in world literature. The book made a significant contribution to the detective genre with its unique plot and unexpected resolution. The story of the murder investigation on the luxurious Orient Express, conducted by the famous detective Hercule Poirot, has become a classic of the genre. The novel has had a tremendous influence on subsequent detective works and adaptations, including numerous stage productions, films, and television series. The book also reflects the interwar period, showcasing the cultural and social aspects of that time. «Murder on the Orient Express» remains popular today, affirming Agatha Christie's genius as a master of the detective genre.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hercule Poirot: A Belgian detective known for his sharp mind and attention to detail. During the investigation of the murder on the Orient Express, he demonstrates his outstanding deductive abilities, unraveling a complex web of lies and deceit. Poirot faces a moral dilemma when he discovers that all the suspects are involved in the murder and makes a decision that reveals his humanity and understanding of justice.
• Michel: The conductor of the carriage where the murder took place. He assists Poirot in the investigation by providing crucial information about the passengers and their behavior. His role in the story is limited, but he is an important source of information.
• Mary Debenham: A young Englishwoman and governess. Initially, she appears calm and composed, but as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that she is connected to other passengers and has her own secrets. By the end of the book, it is revealed that she was part of the conspiracy.
• Hector MacQueen: The secretary of the murdered Ratchett. He seems sincere and open, but it later emerges that he knew about his employer's past and was part of the revenge plan.
• Princess Dragomiroff: An elderly Russian aristocrat. She behaves arrogantly and authoritatively, but ultimately it is revealed that she was a close friend of the murdered girl's mother and participated in the conspiracy.
• Ratchett (Cassetti): The murder victim, an American who turns out to be a gangster responsible for the kidnapping and murder of the little girl. His past and crimes become the motive for the murder.
• Colonel Arbuthnot: A British officer who initially seems honest and straightforward, but it later becomes clear that he is also connected to the conspiracy and has personal motives for participating in the murder.
• Greta Ohlsson: A Swedish nurse who appears kind and caring, but ultimately it is revealed that she was the murdered girl's nanny and participated in the conspiracy.
• Caroline Hubbard: An American woman who behaves eccentrically and loudly. By the end of the book, it is revealed that she is the mother of the murdered girl and the organizer of the conspiracy.
• Antonio Foscarelli: An Italian businessman who turns out to be the chauffeur for the murdered girl's family and also participates in the conspiracy.
• Hildegarde Schmidt: A German maid who turns out to be the cook in the murdered girl's household and also participates in the conspiracy.

Style and Technique

Agatha Christie in «Murder on the Orient Express» employs a classic detective style characterized by logical and sequential storytelling. The language of the work is clear and concise, allowing the reader to easily follow the plot's development. Literary techniques include the use of dialogues to reveal character traits and advance the plot, as well as flashbacks to provide backstory. The narrative structure is well-organized: the story is divided into three parts — «The Facts», «The Evidence», and «The Conclusion», which helps to systematize information and lead the reader to a logical resolution of the mystery. Christie masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, using elements of psychological analysis and unexpected plot twists.

Interesting Facts

• The novel is set on the famous «Orient Express» train, which ran between Paris and Istanbul.
• The main character, detective Hercule Poirot, ends up on the train by chance, as his plans changed at the last moment.
• The book employs a unique investigative method, where Poirot interviews all the train's passengers to gather clues and determine who might be the murderer.
• The murder takes place in a compartment that was locked from the inside, adding mystery and complexity to the investigation.
• Each of the train's passengers is connected to the victim, creating numerous motives and suspects.
• The resolution of the crime is one of the most unexpected and memorable in detective literature, as all the passengers are revealed to be involved in the murder.
• The novel has been adapted for film and television several times, including the famous 1974 adaptation and a more modern version in 2017.

Book Review

«Murder on the Orient Express» by Agatha Christie is one of the most famous and beloved detective novels in world literature. Critics praise Christie's skill in crafting a complex and intriguing plot that keeps the reader in suspense until the very end. The main character, Hercule Poirot, is portrayed at his best in this book, showcasing brilliant deductive abilities and attention to detail. Special attention is given to the atmosphere of the luxurious train, which becomes a confined space for the investigation. Critics also highlight the uniqueness of the resolution, which is striking in its unexpectedness and logic simultaneously. Overall, «Murder on the Orient Express» is considered a classic of the genre and a must-read for all detective fiction enthusiasts.