Wanderlust Challenges discussion

March 2019 Group Read
Come, Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie Mallowan

Everyone is invited to join!

**Please use spoilers when posting your comments.



Agatha Christie was already a celebrated writer of mysteries in 1930 when she married archaeologist Max Mallowan. She enthusiastically joined him on archaeological expeditions in the Middle East, providing backgrounds for novels and "everyday doings and happenings".

This a charming, fascinating, and wonderfully witty nonfiction account of her days on an archaeological dig with Max in Syria. Written in short vignettes, it is an evocative journey to the fascinating Middle East of the 1930s that is sure to delight Dame Agatha’s millions of fans, as well as aficionados of Elizabeth Peters’s Amelia Peabody mysteries and eager armchair travelers everywhere.

Put it on hold at the library. I read some of the reviews and it looks like it will make for some interesting discussions. Hope a lot of people read it. It's a short one - 192 pages!

None of the libraries near me have it and if they do it is indicated as being in storage so I'm not sure how soon, or if, I can get it. I'm trying!

I think there are two copies available in our system so we should both be good!

Are we both trying to get the copy from Hastings on Hudson? lol

Or Mt. Vernon! :)

I just put in for Hastings-on-Hudson so if you get that copy I'll put in for Mt. Vernon

Sadly my library doesn't have it. So I'll have to bite the bullet and buy it.

I'm sorry Karen! I just googled it and it looks like Open Library dot org might have the PDF of it. But they have a scheduled maintenance going on right now so I can't confirm. You may want to check that out before purchasing it.

Jan wrote: "I'm sorry Karen! I just googled it and it looks like Open Library dot org might have the PDF of it. But they have a scheduled maintenance going on right now so I can't confirm. You may want to chec..."

Can anyone access that? And is there a charge for it?

Karen ♐ wrote: "Jan wrote: "I'm sorry Karen! I just googled it and it looks like Open Library dot org might have the PDF of it. But they have a scheduled maintenance going on right now so I can't confirm. You may ..."

butting in here - as far as I know anyone can register to join and it is free. The works are copyright free at this point. What happens if you aren't registered is you don't get all the info on what is available so its best to register. The quality varies on the pages depending on who photocopied the pages and probably other factors. I checked this particular book - there seem to be 3 copies and one has a waitlist. The loan period is for 2 weeks.

Thanks for the info Denise!

Thanks so much, Denise!

I love Agatha Christie. This looks like it will be a good book. I just ordered from the library and an ebook was available. I will begin reading today. Happy Reading!

Good for you Janet!! Be sure to pop in with some comments! I probably won't start it until the weekend.

I started this last night. My edition started with a poem called A-Sitting on a Tell. (view spoiler)[ What a sweet little poem about meeting Max, falling for him and joining him on his life travels. (hide spoiler)]

The poem is followed by an introduction by Jacqyetta Hawkes, a British archaeologist and writer. She shares that (view spoiler)[ we won't find "archaeological particularities" in the book but a light book of "everyday doings and happenings that are sufficiently extraordinary to occupy the reader. " She wants us to know that even with the emphasis being on the everyday in this book, Agatha played a considerable part in the practical work of Max's expeditions, involved in all aspects of the digs. She also reminds us of the time period - this is in the 1930's before the war. (hide spoiler)]

Forward by Agatha
(view spoiler)[ Agatha explains the title - how we learn how people lived but looking at the everyday things they discover on their excavations - things of "the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker".

She then warns us that this is "not a profound book". I loved that!! I think this is going to be a delightful read. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter One: Partant pour la Syrie

My first comment is that Allie needs to read this chapter! It's all about shopping...LOL.

(view spoiler)[ I googled this and discovered it is the title of a French Napoleonic song written in 1807 that means "Departing for Syria". That made me laugh that she used that as the title of her preparations to leave on their trip.

The Shopping Trip:
I giggled through this whole section and her struggles finding the right clothes for the trip in the wrong season. Been there, done that!!! And the horror of being OS (outsizes) which I'm assuming in the larger sizes that would be our X sizes today.

And to read about the introduction of the Zipper and how she views them with a "wary eye". She later does have problems with it.

Packing:
I totally agree on her comment that there are several schools of thoughts on packing.

I'm a very organized packer, start days ahead and end up taking way too much!! And before having a kindle I had the same problem - which books to bring and which to leave behind. But I probably never took as many as they are taking. It sounds like they are taking the whole library!! Max was funny that he wanted to intrude on her space with his books. And then he notices the decoration on her frock and informs her she has "fertility motifs all down the front" of it. Too funny!!

I probably would have been offended when Max asks her to sit on his bulging suitcase saying "If you can't make them shut, nobody can!". Hmmmm....was that a comment on her OS size??

They are at the train station and Agatha shares her love of trains with us. Her descriptions were delightful. They say their goodbyes to their family and we learn that she is leaving her 14 year old daughter home.

They soon reach Calais, after crossing the channel and board the Orient Express to Istanbul. This makes me want to do our Orient Express Challenge again...lol.

Turkish customs comes by and want to inspect their luggage. The customs officer comments on all her shoes! And can't figure out the bug powder. Through many charades he finally figures out what it's for and has a good laugh. I thought it was interesting that when it came to declaring how much cash they had they were told to say a certain amount whether they had more or less. It must be only that amount to be 'en regle'.

They travel toward their destination to to a preliminary survey that will lead to the selection of where they will do their excavation. (hide spoiler)]

So far, I'm really enjoying this. The writing is funny and delightful.

Jan wrote: "I started this last night. My edition started with a poem called A-Sitting on a Tell. [spoilers removed]

The poem is followed by an introduction by Jacqyetta Hawkes, a British archaeologist and w..."
I haven been reading Come Tell Me How You Live by Agatha Christie and I too am enjoying it so much! I cannot describe as eloquently as Agatha or you Jan, this light beautifully written memoir. I did not know before reading this what a "Tell" was.
I am only 25% through the book, yet I admire Agatha Christie for going on this 3 month expedition enduring the high temperatures, discomfort, and antiquated plumbing, lol. I did not know she possessed such a lighthearted sense of humor. She describes everything in such a way that you can feel her appreciation for the littlest things. On tours out of the country, I find myself missing the comforts of home, so I am amazed at her tenacity and how positive she is.

Have one more to finish and then I'm starting this one. Sounds like it's really good. For anyone interested, this one is on Scribd.

Janet - I'm glad you are enjoying it. I've been really surprised by her humor too!

Karen - glad you finally found it! Happy you will be joining us.

Picked it up at the library yesterday - sorry Denise! - and will start it this week.

Karen - my copy is "in transit" from the other library. So no problem! Enjoy!

Excellent! Happy to hear it.

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[ They are off on their 3-month expedition to find a good site for excavating. How funny that nobody she mentioned their destination to had any idea where it was. They needed to play our 20 Question game to bone up on their geography.

Agatha's reaction to Mac is interesting. I know she had often struggled with shyness in the past but somehow he brings it out in her, making her feel like a "nervous idiot". It's strange how some people can do that do you. I find it weird that he is not interested in exploring the cities and stay in his room writing in his diary. Like Agatha, I want to know what he is writing!!

It sounds like Agatha is a bit of a shopaholic. More shoes!!!!

They leave civilization and make their way into the desert. I loved her description of Palmyra. I googled it and its a shame that a lot of it has been destroyed.

Le Camping begins and I can imagine her sitting in her chair watching all these men try to get the tents up in the wind. And its her first time in a sleeping bag...she's definitely camping now.

Their pursuit for the perfect tell is fascinating. No Roman artifacts excepted. I had to laugh at her concern about falling over all the time and how she is worried she has contracted some desert disease. Only to find out its her shoes!!! She proceeds to walk the opposite way to correct them. I'm wondering why she didn't just get a new pair from her huge shoe stash. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[ Chapter 3
How exhausting it must be to continually have to get their car unstuck out of the mud. Such a messy ordeal!! And nothing seems to crack Mac’s calm. Max just doesn’t understand why she doesn’t get on better with him. I couldn’t believe when he asked her “Do you try?”.
But we finally find something that might just break Mac. They are stuck inside due to heavy rain and he is trying to get the petrol lamp lit. He is assured he can get it lit – “the scientific principal is quite simple”. But the lamp is holding out on him and he can’t seem to get it lit and his face gets red and he begins to swear!! Agatha hears and says “a feeling that is almost affection sweeps over me”. Mac is human! And later when he yells at the tent poles snapping in the wind he becomes fully human and is now “one of us”.
It was fascinating to hear the negotiations for getting workers. Money has no real value to them – food and a good harvest is what makes them rich. Their tactic suggesting they can buy ornaments for their wives was tricky.
They are narrowing down the possible Tells for the dig. Chagar Bazar is top of the list and the Sheikh they are dealing with is quite a character. They are going to have to be careful with him. He is all about the profit for him but keeps his greed hidden behind an insincere smiling face. It’s a good thing that the real negotiations are done through the French military. They have made all the arrangements needed to secure the site for their future dig. And Agatha is put on a train so she doesn’t have to endure the 3 day trip back to Alep. She and I both were surprised there was one out in the middle of nowhere for her to take.
This chapter was very enlightening in everything that has to happen behind the scenes to even choose a location for an archaeological dig. And we haven’t even started the real deal yet.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm through Chapter 1: Her writing in this chapter is as if she is talking to me as a friend.(view spoiler)[Reading about her shopping really tickled me. I've been in that "OS" dilemma for quite a few years and she really made me laugh. The zipper story was hilarious. I did somewhat take offense when Max made that comment about her sitting on his suitcase to close it. My hubby would never make a comment like that! And the references to what books could be taken I can sympathize with. When I traveled for business, I would go back and forth on what books to take with me. It must make it so easy for people traveling now that like to read. I wonder if the bug powder will come in handy at some point. And the part about stating a certain amount to how much money they were carrying was really strange. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ And its her first time in a sleeping bag...she's definitely camping now. It is my first experience of struggling into a sleeping-bag. It takes the united efforts of Max and myself,....
I imagine this refers to her being OS.
Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Madame herself is hoisted with difficulty on to the high step from the permanent way. Another reference to dear Agatha’s size.
I am so happy for her as she tells us “Shops! A bath! My hair shampooed! Friends to see.” I don’t know how she managed without these comforts.
Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ “The first sight that greets us on the quay is Mac, but a Mac transformed.” It is so nice to know that Mac truly feels a friendship for both Max and Agatha. This makes Agatha happy and warm towards him. Her nervousness with Mac vanishes. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[Agatha is so descriptive of the vermin and pests in her room, that kept her from sleeping, “mice taking healthy exercise and having their field sports all over you, that is hardly possible.” Between the scores of mice running around and the cockroaches I can understand why Agatha became hysterical.
“Horrible crawling things are everywhere!” Apparently she was so hysterical, she did not try to use the white power she brought with her for this instance. It sounds like the powder would have had no effect. What did have an effect on the mice was the super cat, “It is a super-cat –a highly professional cat.” Too funny, although I would have not laughed if I were in this situation, but reading her account is just humorous. (hide spoiler)]

Karen - in response to your comments about Chap. 1
(view spoiler)[ The writing is very conversational! And I absolutely loved the shopping trip and could really relate to it all too. (hide spoiler)]

Janet - in response to your Chap 2 comments:
(view spoiler)[ I didn't catch that possible reference to her OS size when struggling to get into the sleeping bag.

And I'm wondering if they had zippers yet - another difficult ingredient!!! Probably not though. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 - (view spoiler)[Wow, what this must have been like to travel to this area where you existed in a tent, got so sick at the beginning, not knowing what was wrong with you. I think I would have turned around and traveled back home. I also loved how she found it she didn't have some horrible disease but she was walking incorrectly in her shoes. I too thought why didn't she just get another pair out? And their cook...wasn't he something. Amazing how they deal with all the trials and tribulations. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 With all the trials and tribulations Agatha and Max endure I am amazed at their calmness. (view spoiler)[ except of course Agatha’s hysteria after the scores of mice, cockroaches, and having a spider land on your face finally unnerved her.
(hide spoiler)] I don’t know how I would have reacted in the same situation as they did when going to see the Postmaster for their money order.
(view spoiler)[ It is funny to read how the Postmaster had to be found by a young boy and when he finally turns up he offers Agatha and Max tea, and suggests they come back tomorrow for their mail. Funnier is how he wanted to give them all the other mail that hadn’t been claimed for months even though it was not addressed to them. Finally finding their money order, he doesn’t know what to do with it. I think my husband and I would not have been as calm and civil as Agatha and Max, but reading it is funny. (hide spoiler)]

I agree, Janet. I wouldn't have lasted (view spoiler)[with all those critters! (hide spoiler)]

Just two quick thoughts on previous comments (view spoiler)[When they said the cook's name was Isa, I just assumed it was a woman. I was surprised when they referred to him later on as a he! And even more surprised when he announced that he had never been a cook! "Well that explains a lot" says Max. :) And then asking Max for a recommendation as a driver when he's never seen him drive anything! But he's turned the crank...

It seems like this is just an exploratory trip? Why did they reserve the Armenian priest's house for the spring? And let's see if it is actually reserved, come spring.

Does anyone else have pictures in their copy? In the first set of pix there is a woman watching the lorry set sail on the ferry - is that Agatha? No - now that I look at it again - that must be a ferry worker.

I love my copy of the book. It is a 1974 copyright renewal hardcover copy with no ISBN# and wonderful thick creamy pages. (hide spoiler)]

Karen - your copy of the book does sound lovely. I'm reading the ebook and there are no pictures :(

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[ I loved how Mac seemed "transformed" and was so glad to see them. Bet that was a shock and a relief for Agatha. Her nervousness with him vanished.

Karen guessed it right in her spoiler from Message 33 when they show up and the house is full of people and not ready for them.

I would NOT have been able to just to sleep with all those creatures running around!!! Several years ago we had a vacation rental that had one mouse and I just could not sleep for worrying about it crawling over me. But cockroaches!!!! That is 100 times worse. I would have been hysterical with her.

The "professional" cat cracked me up. He sure knew his job and stayed focused on it.

I found their worker set up and all the challenges they faces due to the different culture interesting and. I though it was funny that Agatha took the duty to keep watch over the basket boys and report which ones were actually working and which ones were sleeping on the job.

And what an ordeal they went through with the worker who died and how they had to dig him back up and transport his body back to his family. I wouldn't have wanted to be a member of that car trip!! (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Just two quick thoughts on previous comments When they said the cook's name was Isa, I just assumed it was a woman. I was surprised when they referred to him later on as a he! And even more surpris..."
Karen, sadly I do not have pictures. I am reading an ebook.
(view spoiler)[ I also thought the cook was a woman. (hide spoiler)]

Jan wrote: "Karen - your copy of the book does sound lovely. I'm reading the ebook and there are no pictures :(

Chapter 4: I loved how Mac seemed "transformed" and was so glad to see them. Bet that was a sho..."

Jan last night I dreamt (view spoiler)[ there was a mouse under the covers and my husband swatted it with a broom, lol. (hide spoiler)]

I crack up when I read about Michel (view spoiler)[ Michel comes up excitedly and says he has made a most advantageous bargain in oranges. He has bought two hundred oranges at a most economical price. As usual, he is sworn at. How does he think we are going to get through two hundred oranges before they go bad –that is to say, if they are not bad already?
Of course some of the oranges are already covered in green mould. But Michel is always on the lookout for ‘Economia!’ (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5. I am finding this book so much fun to read. I cannot believe that Agatha was so fortunate to take all these crazy issues and turn them into such a delightful book. I had to stop and reading for a moment to post this hilarious account. (view spoiler)[ B finally receives his pyjamas. It is a white zip up suit, with a hood, it covers his entire body except for his eyes and nose. It is to prevent mosquitoes from biting him. Max and Agatha tell B that there are no mosquitoes in the areas they will be in, but B disagrees. Agatha describes what happens that night so well, I can envision it.
That night a hullabaloo breaks out. Max and Agatha think they are being attacked by robbers. A white figure is rushing wildly up and down, yelping and jumping about. It is B in his white suit. By some means or other a mouse has insinuated itself into the mosquito-proof pyjamas! The zip has jammed. Too funny! (hide spoiler)]

Karen wrote: "Just two quick thoughts on previous comments When they said the cook's name was Isa, I just assumed it was a woman. I was surprised when they referred to him later on as a he! And even more surpris..."

There were pictures in my copy too (and it was an ebook). It was really interesting to see them.

Janet wrote: "Jan last night I dreamt [ there was a mouse under the covers and my husband swatted it with a broom, lol. (hide spoiler)] ."

OMG Janet - I can't believe your dream!!

Karen ♐ wrote: "Karen wrote: There were pictures in my copy too (and it was an ebook). It was really interesting to see them.."

Thanks for sharing this Karen! I went back and looked in my ebook and all the photos are at the end. I LOVED seeing them.

Jan wrote: "Karen ♐ wrote: "Karen wrote: There were pictures in my copy too (and it was an ebook). It was really interesting to see them.."

Thanks for sharing this Karen! I went back and looked in my ebook an..."
I just skipped to the back of the book and sure enough, there were photos.!

Great! So glad you both found them!

I received the book today through inter-library loan and much to my disappointment it is one of the books of a set published years ago by Bantam where all the covers match and there are no pictures in it! Bah! I can check online from Openlibrary, etc.

I finished the foreward and Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[ I was so surprised by the liveliness of the writing!! Her effusion and humor are delightful. Jan and others are doing all the work on this so I'll just nod:) I had to look up Shantung (a clothing style) and Double Terais (kind of hat). (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Chapter 8 and I see Chapter 9 is entitled Arrival of Mac which I'm happy about - I've missed Mac. (view spoiler)[I'm thinking that this isn't really the kind of book we need spoilers for, but why not. I am enjoying the book but I have to say, I'm really confused by what we are actually doing out there in the desert on these tells. I wasn't sure when I picked up the book at the library what the picture on the cover was - I assumed it is what they excavated at the site, but it turns out to be the house they built for themselves at Chagar Bazar. It seems like the excavation is just for bits of pottery and beads. I guess that when she wrote the book, excavations like this were common enough that the average reader would have a better understanding of what actually goes on at a site like this?

They can see these mounds all around them and indicate that each mound is a settlement or town so I thought they would be unearthing houses or structures of some sort but so far it doesn't seem so. Hard to comprehend that there are layer upon layer of different civilizations in each tell. (And amazing that the workers were savvy enough to actually forge antikas!) I just wish we had a better description of what is actually going on at the dig sites and how big around the tells are - they don't sound big enough to contain whole towns. Even the pictures that I have in my book are almost all of the construction of the house. Only three are of the dig itself. I still have four chapters left to read so maybe some enlightenment is still ahead of me! (hide spoiler)]

Karen
Can't get the pictures online so I'll put in another interlibrary loan for Karen's copy, just to see the pictures, once she is finished (no rush at all Karen!)( I'm reading the copy I've got - just want to see the pictures) which library did yours come from? You can PM me if you would rather. Thanks.

She does say in the Forward - now that I look back - "A final warning, so that there will be no disappointment. This is not a profound book - it will give you no interesting sidelights on archaeology...no history." I guess that's my answer.

Karen wrote: "She does say in the Forward - now that I look back - "A final warning, so that there will be no disappointment. This is not a profound book - it will give you no interesting sidelights on archaeolo..."

In response: (view spoiler)[ I've been a bit disappointed in the lack of archaeological info too. BUT as you said, she did warn us. I have found the interaction between the different races and people of different religions very interesting though. And it's been fun to get a peek into the life behind the author. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Agatha and Mac's personalities do clash causing her some anxiety. She seems to blame herself more than anything. I wonder why they won't dig under the Roman ruins - the time they spend looking for a Tell without Roman contamination seems could be spent digging through the Roman right to the Hittite civilization which is what I think they seek. Perhaps it requires too much equipment and expense. The barrenness of the land is striking considering how it used to be part of the Cradle of Civilization. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[ I could believe that Max has to lay down the rule on the dig that no attempted murder of Mohammedans is to be permitted. That does give us a look into how volatile it could be on the dig.

And those pajamas (pyjamas) becoming an International incident was too funny. I would have given up after the first day. And then when we saw what they were....OMG. B. thought he was being so smart. The mouse incident had me worrying about Janet's next dream.

I had never heard about the Yezidi people or faith. I found this section fascinating and had to go to google to learn more. They are a highly persecuted people with a very sad history - over the course of 700 years, nearly 23 million Yezidi people have been murdered, thus bringing their civilization to the brink of extinction. (hide spoiler)]