1 option
Who killed Roger Ackroyd? : the mystery behind the Agatha Christie mystery / Pierre Bayard ; translated by Carol Cosman.
Van Pelt Library PR6005.H66 M853313 2000
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Bayard, Pierre, 1954-
- Standardized Title:
- Qui a tué Roger Ackroyd? English
- Language:
- English
- French
- Subjects (All):
- Christie, Agatha, 1890-1976. Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
- Christie, Agatha.
- Psychoanalysis and literature--England--History--20th century.
- Psychoanalysis and literature.
- Detective and mystery stories, English--History and criticism.
- Detective and mystery stories, English.
- Detective and mystery stories--Authorship.
- Detective and mystery stories.
- Poirot, Hercule (Fictitious character).
- Poirot, Hercule.
- History.
- England.
- Physical Description:
- xii, 160 pages ; 22 cm
- Place of Publication:
- New York : New Press : Distributed by W.W. Norton, [2000]
- Summary:
- Agatha Christie's classic novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd has sparked great debate in the years since its publication in 1926, inspiring cultural critics from Umberto Eco to Roland Barthes to explore its unique construction: a murder mystery in which the murderer appears to be the narrator. With Who Killed Roger Ackroyd?, Pierre Bayard reopens the Ackroyd file. This psychoanalyst-cum-professor of literature examines the details of the case anew and offers an ingenious rereading of one of the most popular mysteries of all time. Wondering why Hercule Poirot's conclusion about the identity of the murderer has never been questioned, Bayard uses a creative mix of literary theory and psychoanalysis to propose a startling new solution.
- Who Killed Roger Ackroyd? offers a new way of approaching mysteries in general, and an exciting look at the act of reading itself.
- Contents:
- Cast of Characters xi
- Part I Investigation
- Chapter 1 The Murder 3
- Chapter 2 The Investigation 11
- Chapter 3 The Van Dine Principle 19
- Chapter 4 The Lie by Omission 31
- Part II Counterinvestigation
- Chapter 1 Endless Night 43
- Chapter 2 The Paradox of the Liar 51
- Chapter 3 Improbabilities 59
- Chapter 4 The Ideal Murderer 67
- Part III Delusion
- Chapter 1 Crossroads 77
- Chapter 2 What Is a Delusion? 85
- Chapter 3 Delusion and Theory 93
- Chapter 4 Delusion and Criticism 103
- Part IV Truth
- Chapter 1 Curtain 113
- Chapter 2 The Truth 123
- Chapter 3 Nothing but the Truth 129
- Chapter 4 The Whole Truth 137.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 147-160).
- ISBN:
- 156584579X
- OCLC:
- 42719105
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.