The Moving Finger

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Courtesy: Edward FitzGerald’s translation of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.

The words came out from Agatha Christie’s fingers always moved its readers. The detective fiction written by her marks an era, in which a feminine mind showed intense power to dwell deeply into human characteristics. Her novel The Moving Finger is a powerful paradigm for this flair.

The plot of The Moving Finger centres on the placid village of Lymstock, where the protagonist Jerry Burton and his sister come for a retreat stay. The cosy village with its few members are soon poisoned with anonymous obscene mails that lead to a suicide and a murder. When fear contaminates the serene ambience of the village, Jerry decides to follow his instincts to catch the vicious fingers behind the letters. His and the Police officer Nash’s assumptions combined with Jane Marple’s ability to understand the human characteristics, remove the mask of the real culprit.

Apart from the curiosity, what makes this novel more beautiful is the exotic sketch of the landscape. As we read through the pages, Lymstock becomes a familiar place to us with its greenery and walkways. The Gothic elements used in the novel are able to fill the reader’s mind with fears after the darkness creeps in.



Also this novel is an appreciation for the woman power. While Megan’s abandoned childhood and loneliness fills one’s eyes with some unknown tears, radiance sparks in, as she shows her real courage. The novel is a testimony that when men can be heroes with their courage and power, women can be equally powerful with a deep understanding of the human nature.

The book is apt for an easy reading. So when you are on to the next tiring journey, don’t forget to take this paperback with you. You won’t know how the time passes and the journey will be a memorable one.

Additional Bits
Title of the novel is taken from Edward FitzGerald’s translation of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.

Publishers: BERKLEY BOOKS, NEW YORK
Price: $5.99U.S