Funeral Variations by Agatha. Christie

I haven't uploaded any articles for half a year. I'm always busy with this and that. Sometimes I don't seem to have anything to write, and sometimes I can't concentrate on writing. Today I try to write again and write down some impressions after reading.

Agatha has been mentioned before. The author Christy, her works are like treasures in a jewelry box, dazzling and valuable. Fortunately, she was born at a later time, so she can read one after another in one breath; imagine Compared with the predecessors, it takes only one year for a new work (a reasonable time for the author to create), and the days are really sad.

Closer to home, today I would like to introduce one of the not-so-popular works of Patriarch Grandma, called "Funeral Variations" (English: After the Funeral).

Published in 1953, this work tells the story of members of the Abernethie family gathered at Enderby Heights after Richard Abernethie's funeral to hear a reading from lawyer Mr. Enwhistle will. During the process, Richard's sister, Mrs. Cora Lansquenet (Cora Lansquenet) suddenly claimed that Richard was murdered, which made everyone present very embarrassed. The day after the funeral, Cora was killed at the residence. Mr Enwies to the Belgian detective Hercule. Poirot (Hercule Poirot) for help.

Role profile:

• Hercule Poirot ~ Belgian detective
• Cora Lansquenet ~ Homicide Victim
• Gilchrist ~ single woman living with Cora
• Mr. Enwhistle ~ Attorney to the Abernathy Family
• Richard Abernethie ~ dead at the beginning of the novel
• TImothy Abernethie ~ Richard's brother
• Maude Abernethie ~ Wife of Timothy
• Helen Abernethie ~wife of Richard's late brother
• Susan Banks ~ Richard's niece
• Gregory Banks ~ Husband of Susan, Pharmacist Assistant
• Rosamund Shane ~ Richard's niece, theater actress
• Michael Shane ~ husband of Rosa May, theater actor
• George Crossdfield ~ Richard's nephew
• Lanscombe ~The aged steward of Enderby Hill~ Served Richard for many years
• Inspector Morton
• Mr. Guthrie ~ art critic, friend of Cora

Character relationship diagram:

With Cora's death, the story unfolded like this. Since it's not the first time I read this story, what attracted me was not the plot of the case, and I didn't want to reveal it here. Elements, friends who are interested may wish to read it. What I read with gusto are things that have nothing to do with the case, such as the life of the rich and some minor details.

The protagonist Richard, a wealthy businessman, died at the beginning of the story, and the story also takes this as the central point. His inheritance statement distributes the assets equally to everyone. Logically, there should be no drama, and the ending is peaceful, but his sister said, Claiming that he was murdered not only embarrassed everyone present, but also made him a suspect.

At the end of his life, his only son died of illness, which hit him hard and made him lose the motivation to live. However, before he died, he summoned several juniors to see who was the most suitable to inherit his property , I think he couldn't find a suitable one, so he settled for the next best thing and divided the assets equally. You must know that the sense of touch and judgment of the rich should be accurate. As the story continues, as readers, you probably understand his thoughts. Each of them has certain weaknesses in their personalities, and it is really impossible to take the lead.

There is a plot, after his death, everyone unanimously decided to sell Enderby Hill and divide the proceeds equally, but before doing this, everyone went to the villa to see if there was anything they wanted to "keep as a souvenir". Take it away before auctioning the villa. As a reader, I will be so happy that I don't know where the world is going if I get a large amount of property for no reason. Unexpectedly, they would quarrel over some tableware or furniture. You talked to each other, and swords were on the verge of breaking out. Richard's younger brother actually put on the airs of the elders, arguing with the younger generation red-faced. The book called it Spode dessert service, thinking it was What a rare treasure, I was curious and looked online, it turned out to be a set of tableware! Having inherited so much property from his elder brother, he still has to fight for some useless things. There are other furniture objects, as a reader, I really don't understand what to do.

The book also mentions post-war Britain, the hardships of ordinary people's lives, the female companion who lived with Cora in the book, owned a tea room before the war, and lost all her belongings because of the war. Living today, I really hope that there will be no more wars in the world, and no one will benefit.

After reading this book, you will be surprised that the British who consider themselves gentlemen are so tough. Is it because they have the gene of pirate blood? However, not only this novel, but also other works of the patriarch and mother-in-law will describe the real side of British society. Friends who are interested may wish to read it.

source:

1) https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/Funeral Variations

2) https://jaynethompsonantiques.com/products/spode-dessert-service-with-landscape-views