And Then There Were None Review

Trickle Down Hateanomics

*deep sigh*

I read this book expecting, a quick interesting read. Instead it opened up a lot more for me than I thought. This really wont be a review and more of a zoomed out discussion on booktok, book culture, and race.

Now as I’ve stated before I’m black. I love stories, I love reading, I work at a Library, I’ve worked at bookstores. It’s a a part of me. Much of the culture of reading can often revolve around western classics and European ideals and standards. I’m not complaining about it, I’m just pointing out facts.

There are Black American authors that have broken through the noise and their work is considered right up there with the Great Gatsby’s and Slaughterhouses but the point I really want to make is the alienation of race when it comes to a lot of literature.

When people read a book, unless its specified, we all assume the character is white. That’s the “default”. I remember being a kid reading my fantasy books and sci-fi, when some was mentioned to have “dark features” or “dark eyes” I just assumed it meant black, because according to my 10 year old brain, what else could it mean. I soon learned that wasn’t the case.

It’s an odd moment when you begin to realize the art you love and consume wasn’t made for you. Not for you in mind, had no intention of you ever reading it, and in some cases, hope you never did.

Now why am I saying all this, where is this coming from? I finished And Then There Were None. It was a great, lean, straightforward mystery. Probably one of the greatest mysteries ever written according to everyone. Christie ,in small chapters and smaller vignettes , is able to create interesting, distinct, and compelling characters all with their own motivations and agency.

It’s the classic gothic murder mystery set in one location with strangers who have more in common than they thought. It’s great. There’s one particular instance of violence against women but its played in that Chinatown-esque “come to your sense woman” type beat. Which is surprising but Agatha Christie being woman doesn’t automatically make her a feminist ahead of her time, she was a talented writer FIRMLY with in her time.

Which brings me to my biggest point. The original title of the book. The book follows a nursery rhyme about 10 people slowly dying due various circumstances and the murderer on the island follows it as their itinerary to how the murders will take place. In the beginning of the book it makes a note to point out the original rhyme was “Ten Little Indians” and was the previous title of the book, but a slightly closer look shows the original rhyme and title of the book wasn’t Indians, but Ten Little Niggers.

Yupp. Which threw me for a loop, because how did southern racism get across the pond? And I wanted to say “ok Agatha is of her time, it’s the rhyme. Fine.”

BUT THEN WHY IS THE COVER THIS.

She didn’t have to do that.

Out of pocket. Flag on the play. Go home Agatha

This isn’t the end of the world or anything. The story and book itself has no apparent racism, it does have that violent scene and some anti semitism. If you’re into mysteries then I assume you’ve already read this book and moved on, white or black. I just get annoyed with constantly being reminded that much of the world and culture I find myself surrounded by has no room for me, and wants to essence of me but no want of me.