A Letter To The Queen Of Crime, Agatha Christie
Celebrating Her 46th Death Anniversary
Dear Mrs Christie,
You may not know me, but you have been my best friend for the past 15 years.
I was 12 years old when I found you. I wasn't a reader back then. I couldn't fathom how one could labour over a book. I couldn't fathom how pages with ink splattered on it could be entertaining.
It wasn't anyone's fault I thought that way. I was brought up in that notion. I always equated books with studying. And I didn't quite enjoy studying. So I never gave books other than my textbooks a chance.
But two things happened in my life that made me rethink my beliefs about books.
First, my fifth-grade teacher suggested reading books to improve my vocabulary. Now, this teacher is the sweetest teacher I have ever had. She was like a mother to me. So I took her advice seriously.
Second, my classmates started reading. Most of them did so because it was in fashion to read a Twilight or Harry Potter book. Seeing everyone read (or at least carry a book) made me feel left out. So I knew I had to pick up a book as well.
My mother came to the rescue at this moment. She asked me what kind of book I'd like to read. Without a second thought, I said, "Detective novels."
Later that evening we went to the toy shop near my house. They carried books in one section of the store, and we hoped we'd find what we were looking for.
Among stacks and stacks of Twilight and Harry Potter was one shelf, of three rows each, of your books and the books of Alistair MacLean.
You know my mother confused you with Mr MacLean? Even she doesn't understand why she did that. My mother is sweet and funny.
She helped me by picking up books that she thought I'd enjoy. But I was having a hard time choosing. I have never bought a novel before. I didn't know what's the procedure to do so.
So I did what we usually did then when choosing something to buy. I looked at the price. We were short in finance at that time, and I didn't want to waste whatever we had. I knew whichever book I picked, I had to earn back the money by reading the complete book.
I ended up bringing home your The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding.
It took me six months to complete the 360+ page book. And when I did, it felt as if a gate to a fantastical world opened up to me. I was reborn, and I became a reader.
Seven years later.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and I was galloping towards the end of your Curtain.
This book had me hooked in so deep that I was reading it in my every waking moment.
I finished that book that evening. But that wasn't the end of it all.
As I lay there on my bed, crying for my friend Poirot and smiling at the amazing time we had together, I had an epiphany.
A voice spoke to me, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if I could make others feel the same way Agatha made me feel through her stories?”
At that moment, I was reborn for a second time, and I became a writer.
Over these years, you and Poirot became my best friends, my confidants. You have helped me sail through some difficult times. Later, you became my mentors and guides.
One of the key ingredients of the person I am today is you.
If I hadn't met you, I would have been a completely different person, living a completely different life. And chances of that life being ordinary is high.
But because of you, I am now living an extraordinary life. A life I would have never dreamt of.
You may never know me, but please do know this - You are one of the best things ever happened to me.
So, thank you.
Thank you for everything you have done.
