Outside of a Dog: Christie, Agatha: 4.50 From Paddington (radio play)

Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown wrote on February 26, 2006 at 9:08 PM:

I don't know the radio play, but I like the book. The mystery isn't terribly interesting, but Lucy Eylesbarrow and the family she moves in with are charming. The book reminds me a bit of Cold Comfort Farm, only more sweet and less satirical.

Kate

Kate wrote on February 26, 2006 at 10:42 PM:

I'm starting to pick up Christie novels as I find them cheaply in used bookstores, so I will definitely be looking out for this one. I'd like to spend more time with Lucy Eyelesbarrow, very long name and all.

Rilina

Rilina wrote on February 27, 2006 at 10:14 AM:

I remember liking this particular Miss Marple mystery; I think I read it under the American title of What Mrs McGillicudy Saw. Or something like that.

At the time, I remember I got to the end of the book and couldn't figure out what I was supposed to understand regarding the end of Lucy's romantic subplot. I don't now if that was intentionally ambiguous, or just something that flew over my ten year old head.

Kate

Kate wrote on February 27, 2006 at 10:21 AM:

I cheated and used Amazon's "search inside the book" feature to see if the book gives an _answer_, at least, which no, it doesn't. You can't get any hints in the least from the adaptation because there's no time for character development. Frankly I think it's kind of a cheap trick, but at least it's on a side issue.

Rachel Brown

Rachel Brown wrote on February 27, 2006 at 4:03 PM:

Lucy's choice of man is left open. I like that, actually; both the men could be a good pick. Personally, I think she goes for the one who has the son, because she hits it off so well with the son that they would obviously make a great family.

Kate

Kate wrote on February 27, 2006 at 4:17 PM:

The non-father must come off a lot better in the book, then, because he was kind of a jerk in the radio play.