An interesting trivia about the most popular fictional detective after Sherlock Holmes, ‘Hercule Poirot’ was part of discussion. The third session of the Agatha Christie crime festival dedicated to this master sleuth was organized at Bhojpur Club. The event was held here on Sunday.
Curator of the festival, Arun Singh gave interesting insight into the eccentricities and mannerism of Poirot. Audience also got to know several interesting facts about him. The session was followed by Poirot quiz with winners walking away with Agatha Christie novels.
Hercule Poirot first appeared in chapter two of Agatha Christie’s first published novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, which was completed in 1916 but not published until 1920.
Agatha Christie ‘saw’ the living embodiment of Hercule Poirot twice in her life once having lunch in the Savoy and once on a boat trip in the Canary Islands.
Hercule Poirot, although very well-travelled, suffers from both air-sickness and sea-sickness. He is also very afraid of catching a cold.
He is the only fictional character to have received an obituary on the front of The New York Times in 1975, following the publication of Curtain: Poirot’s last Case.
The evening also witnessed Nranjan Karnik playing Halloween and Sherlock Holmes tunes on keyboard.
Speaking about the session, President Club literati, Seema Raizada said that it is heartening to see Christie fans discuss Poirot in such great detail. We hope this festival will inspire more people to read her books.
Guests were later served Chamomile tea, which is Poirot’s favorite. The next session of the festival will take place at Public House café on July 1. It will be dedicated to India in Agatha Christie’s writings.