(Astounded there was another Eleven Days when I went to order yours: it seemed such a unique title. Am very much looking forward to reading it.)
But, yes, to everything you have written here. I particularly enjoyed “repels the deep-dive” and wish it would cease in my own sphere of food and cooking. I scream, internally, at the ever-increasing plethora of food books predicated on grief, trauma, divorce and, just as irritatingly, migrational antecedents. Although I am being slightly hypocritical — I find it very difficult to cook when I’m sad — there’s just too much introspective soul-searching these days. Sometimes the superficial — does it taste good or read well — is fine.
Good morning Laura. My first reaction was ‘Oh God, here we go again’. But as long as it’s not the awful Phelps woman doing the butchery, it might be quite entertaining. Whatever happens, I still have the books and the incomparable Suchet interpretations (which come out well from Mark Aldridge’s ‘Poirot: The greatest detective in the world’). Thank you, as always, for another fascinating post.
Thanks so much Rod! One does feel that TV at the moment is more about what will generate social media than the show itself. I’m sure the guy will be great (the actors always are) but it is, yes, sort of unnecessary…
I love the idea of a hot Poirot as played by Bluemel bit I love your piece even more - what brilliant insights into AC’s style and Hamlet. Looking forward to your new book. I now have it on preorder.
I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me is screaming "No! Don't touch Poirot!" but I recognise that strong fictional characters are destined to be rehashed and rebooted, changing age, sex and probably even species, forever - and I don't have to watch it, after all. Nevertheless, I can remember reading the Poirot novels when young and feeling a definite attraction for the character, despite his finicky appearance and habits. It stemmed from his intellect and his deep understanding of human nature. I suppose it had to happen: Poirot must follow the same path as Holmes and Morse, and every last drop must be wrung out of the character.
The books are fabulous enough. I agree that adaptations that are as faithful to the originals as possible are best. He's an amazing creation. Why tinker with him?
Thanks for the heads-up, Laura. I don't think I'll be brave enough to watch "Young Poirot" but I'm glad he is still so appreciated. I wonder what he'd think of it all! 😄
Me, too. Shaun Evans’ character was far more nuanced and ‘human’ but I suspect it might be that John Thaw’s acting was more old school. (I find Laurence Olivier’s style of acting intolerable.) Of course, the magnificent Roger Allam also added hugely to the pleasure and plausibility of Endeavour.
Interesting casting! But at least that lets you know right from the start that it won't be a 'traditional' Poirot - good to set expectations correctly! David Suchet is such a hard act to follow that I can see why they'd want to give it a different spin entirely though.
The line about Ashton/Macmillan seems so acute! I'm a long way away from British TV but somehow not too far from their works (with the wonderful Japan Natinal Ballet based in Tokyo).
Thank you! Yes I’ve heard that they are marvellous. Quite a few Japanese dancers in London of course - they are pretty invaluable within the Royal Ballet…
I feel much the same as you, my friend. But perhaps it will turn out to be a separate entity, in a way; the study of a young person and his trials and tribulations as a refugee in a new country, beting set on the path that will turn him into a famous detective. Often, much like you have mentioned with Endeavour and Morse, we can be given different versions that live side by side on the shelf of artistic expression. It does require a great amount of suspension-of-disbelief, but alas, it is what curious minds inquire about. I tend to err on the side of optimism, so let's hope for the best.
Thank you for that, you made me laugh and exclaim 'oh dear' in equal measure. It strikes me that so many modern adaptations invent backstory where it isn't needed while erasing complexity everywhere else.
I remember reading a modern comment about the 1973 BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, which I love, complaining that Sorcha Cusack wasn't attractive and Michael Jayston wasn't "hot". What can one say - that was rather the point of the novel!
And don’t get me started on the tendency to replace the unsaid with the explicit. I totally agree with you about the joy in ‘unspoiled by explanations’!
Oh dear. I hate the rehash already. Any actor who poses as Edward Bluemel does, up there ^ leaves me cold. It's the
'quizzical smoulder' which is both hilarious and an instant turn-off at the same time.
The BBC are responsible so I see a dog's dinner of a drama unfolding already.
The stuffy, the proper, the polite, the ponderous and at times imperious Hercule cannot be messed with or re-imagined. I dare say the BBCs young Hercule will be the antithesis of AC's creation.
When we say ' leave well alone' it applies here. I dare say I'll watch, but only because I need an eye-rolling fest every now and then.
Must I give it a chance? I can imagine Poirot's response if I asked him that question.
(Astounded there was another Eleven Days when I went to order yours: it seemed such a unique title. Am very much looking forward to reading it.)
But, yes, to everything you have written here. I particularly enjoyed “repels the deep-dive” and wish it would cease in my own sphere of food and cooking. I scream, internally, at the ever-increasing plethora of food books predicated on grief, trauma, divorce and, just as irritatingly, migrational antecedents. Although I am being slightly hypocritical — I find it very difficult to cook when I’m sad — there’s just too much introspective soul-searching these days. Sometimes the superficial — does it taste good or read well — is fine.
Oh I so agree Ruth. Here's to a bit of superficial! (Which can have its own depth, paradoxically). And THANK YOU for ordering. That is truly kind.
Good morning Laura. My first reaction was ‘Oh God, here we go again’. But as long as it’s not the awful Phelps woman doing the butchery, it might be quite entertaining. Whatever happens, I still have the books and the incomparable Suchet interpretations (which come out well from Mark Aldridge’s ‘Poirot: The greatest detective in the world’). Thank you, as always, for another fascinating post.
Thanks so much Rod! One does feel that TV at the moment is more about what will generate social media than the show itself. I’m sure the guy will be great (the actors always are) but it is, yes, sort of unnecessary…
I love the idea of a hot Poirot as played by Bluemel bit I love your piece even more - what brilliant insights into AC’s style and Hamlet. Looking forward to your new book. I now have it on preorder.
Amanda that is so lovely, thank you!!!! How I enjoyed your bookshelf interview with Mathew btw
I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me is screaming "No! Don't touch Poirot!" but I recognise that strong fictional characters are destined to be rehashed and rebooted, changing age, sex and probably even species, forever - and I don't have to watch it, after all. Nevertheless, I can remember reading the Poirot novels when young and feeling a definite attraction for the character, despite his finicky appearance and habits. It stemmed from his intellect and his deep understanding of human nature. I suppose it had to happen: Poirot must follow the same path as Holmes and Morse, and every last drop must be wrung out of the character.
The books are fabulous enough. I agree that adaptations that are as faithful to the originals as possible are best. He's an amazing creation. Why tinker with him?
Thanks for the heads-up, Laura. I don't think I'll be brave enough to watch "Young Poirot" but I'm glad he is still so appreciated. I wonder what he'd think of it all! 😄
Thanks Jules. Agree!!! Although having said that I did really love Endeavour… more than Morse in fact. But a very different type of creation.
Me, too. Shaun Evans’ character was far more nuanced and ‘human’ but I suspect it might be that John Thaw’s acting was more old school. (I find Laurence Olivier’s style of acting intolerable.) Of course, the magnificent Roger Allam also added hugely to the pleasure and plausibility of Endeavour.
I loved Endeavour too. I’ll be brave and give it a go.
And there we were hoping for Michael Maloney! I think this could be interesting...thank you for such a lovely diversion this morning.
❤️
Hmmm...cute though...
Although I have to say, I never ever can think of Poirot as 'cute'. BUT, someone called 'Hercule' might be a different kettle of fish altogether...
Yes. It seems to me simultaneously bloody ridiculous and quite a good idea.
Hmmm, does this remind us at all of the TV series Morse and Endeavour? The actor is good and not too pretty, actually, more of a “joli laid”
Let's hope. He is indeed very good but the actors usually are doing the heavy lifting...
I meant to start work, already late, and your terrible clickbait drew me in. Thank heavens. ‘unspoiled by explanations’ - a joy indeed
I have always dreamed of being clickbait.
That Spark novel is THE BEST, one can savour every separate line… Thanks Mark as always!
I’ve never read a word of hers, which I realise is a resounding failure of personality
!!!! I think you might love her, if that isn’t an annoying thing to say….
Thankfully I’ve passed the many years when being enthused at was my quickest route to never investigating
👌💕
If he adopts what Christie called Poirot's 'rapid mincing gait' his hotness is going to be reduced to freezing pretty quickly.
👌 Nice one
Interesting casting! But at least that lets you know right from the start that it won't be a 'traditional' Poirot - good to set expectations correctly! David Suchet is such a hard act to follow that I can see why they'd want to give it a different spin entirely though.
Agree Harriet. Just a 'replacement’ would have been a bit pointless (although some of the stories could be much better done IMO)
No, not all the episodes were amazing - and some of them have dated quite badly! But I do think he was pretty spot-on as the character throughout.
The line about Ashton/Macmillan seems so acute! I'm a long way away from British TV but somehow not too far from their works (with the wonderful Japan Natinal Ballet based in Tokyo).
Thank you! Yes I’ve heard that they are marvellous. Quite a few Japanese dancers in London of course - they are pretty invaluable within the Royal Ballet…
Wonderful, as always. The “endless dance around the maypole of IP” is so tiresome, isn’t?
I think it might be time to stop, yes….Soon. Let's hope!
I feel much the same as you, my friend. But perhaps it will turn out to be a separate entity, in a way; the study of a young person and his trials and tribulations as a refugee in a new country, beting set on the path that will turn him into a famous detective. Often, much like you have mentioned with Endeavour and Morse, we can be given different versions that live side by side on the shelf of artistic expression. It does require a great amount of suspension-of-disbelief, but alas, it is what curious minds inquire about. I tend to err on the side of optimism, so let's hope for the best.
Looking forward to your book's publication.
Thank you for that, you made me laugh and exclaim 'oh dear' in equal measure. It strikes me that so many modern adaptations invent backstory where it isn't needed while erasing complexity everywhere else.
I remember reading a modern comment about the 1973 BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, which I love, complaining that Sorcha Cusack wasn't attractive and Michael Jayston wasn't "hot". What can one say - that was rather the point of the novel!
That's so hilarious about Jane Eyre. Thanks Christine, I love what you say about complexity in the wrong places!
And don’t get me started on the tendency to replace the unsaid with the explicit. I totally agree with you about the joy in ‘unspoiled by explanations’!
👌
Oh dear. I hate the rehash already. Any actor who poses as Edward Bluemel does, up there ^ leaves me cold. It's the
'quizzical smoulder' which is both hilarious and an instant turn-off at the same time.
The BBC are responsible so I see a dog's dinner of a drama unfolding already.
The stuffy, the proper, the polite, the ponderous and at times imperious Hercule cannot be messed with or re-imagined. I dare say the BBCs young Hercule will be the antithesis of AC's creation.
When we say ' leave well alone' it applies here. I dare say I'll watch, but only because I need an eye-rolling fest every now and then.
Must I give it a chance? I can imagine Poirot's response if I asked him that question.
Agree to all you say! But it will get lots of publicity which I SUPPOSE might take people back to the books...
Your new book cover looks great! Bet you’re relieved that’ll be out in the world soon enough. Congratulations! Xx
Thanks so much, dear Petra. It was fun to do, a little labour of love! xx
Love the choreography analogy!
Thanks Christine, one for the ballet lovers!!!!