A number of characters in this novel ask themselves above question. Ordeal By Innocence , by Agatha Christie is a brilliant novel, which focuses not so much on the murderer, but the impact an unsolved murder can have on the survivors..... innocent survivors, that is.
I was really drawn to the novel by the title, and when once started reading couldn’t get away from it. I hasten to add that unlike other whodunits, this novel does not have too many mutilated bodies, fancy murders or intriguing hints. Almost entire novel moves on a single murder.
The uniqueness of the novel lies in its focus. In general , in murder mysteries, although effect of the murder on survivors is undoubtedly discussed, the focus remains on the murder and hints related to it. In this conventional setup, the novel alternates in a crest and trough fashion. Analysing effects on various characters, introducing them, going slow, and suddenly bang comes in another murder or a turn around and the focus returns to the murder.
This novel differs in the respect that the murder and its discussion form the background and main focus is really on the EFFECT on characters. In that sense the title Ordeal By Innocence becomes relevant. The shadow of doubt almost turns the life of persons close to the murdered one to hell. Each character is examined minutely and the effect of the murder on his life in relation to his or her psychological state is brought out in an admirable fashion.
The Plot
One of the several adopted children of a wealthy couple is suspected of killing his (adopted) mother. The suspect was an out & out bad lot, and had a fight with his ’’mother’’ moments before her murder. In view of other powerful evidences, the jury pronounces the concerned “son” guilty.
The only hitch being the vehement argument of the accused, in which he mentioned taking lift from some person at some place far away from murder scene. The concerned person, who gave lift, could not be produced, and thinking it as a pretty bad cock and bull story, accused was given life imprisonment, where he died six months later.
The story changes course when it turns out that the scoundrel son was indeed not guilty and there did exist a certain person who had given him the lift. The family which had in a way heaved a sigh of relief after the black sheep of the family was pronounced guilty, is totally disarrayed by this new development. The new development meant that there was a murderer among them..........
Other Aspects
In the novel Christie has also brought about, a number of other interesting observations. The idea of adopting a child has been analysed not so much in emotional aspect as in the psychological aspects. In particular, the effect on the adopted child and the anger, indignation felt by him/her is analysed.
The age-old battle between nature and nurture is portrayed quite beautifully. The mother who adopted various kids feels subconsciously that not enough reverence or gratitude is shown by her adopted children. When their characters shape out to be quite different than what she had planned, she is quite dismayed.
Trivia
The Book is published by Harper Collins
No Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple
Christie fans will definately love it -
For beginners on Christie, this will be a rather a slow novel. try ’’And Then There Were None’’ or ’’Lord Edgware Dies’’