Crime fiction is a sub-genre which is as similar to crime thriller widely admired by readers. It depicts how crimes are investigated either by an amateur or a professional detective or by the police in some cases. Now, we will have a comparison of the authors who dominated the crime fiction during the 19th century: Agatha Christie Vs Arthur Conan Doyle.
Agatha Christie Vs Arthur Conan Doyle: A Detailed Comparison
Agatha Christie was an English writer best known over 66 novels and 14 short story collections as well as the world’s longest running play – The Mousetrap. She is also known as the Queen of Crime Fiction.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer who wrote first four novels and fifty-six short stories about the Holmes and Dr Watson. The STUD was the genesis and had set a milestone in the field of crime fiction.
Let’s look into the detailed comparison of these authors.
Aspect | Agatha Christie | Arthur Conan Doyle |
Full Name | Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie | Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle |
Birth Date | September 15, 1890 | May 22, 1859 |
Birth Place | Torquay, Devon, England | Edinburgh, Scotland |
Famous Characters | Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple | Sherlock Holmes, Dr. John Watson |
Notable Works | Murder on the Orient Express, And Then There Were None, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd | A Study in Scarlet, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes |
Genre | Detective fiction, mystery | Detective fiction, mystery, science fiction |
Writing Style | Clue-driven plots, intricate puzzles, psychological depth | Logical deduction, detailed descriptions, adventurous plots |
Number of Novels | Over 66 novels | 60 Sherlock Holmes stories, plus other novels and short stories |
Awards & Honors | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) | Knighted by Queen Victoria in 1902 |
Adaptations | Numerous films, television series, stage plays | Numerous films, television series, radio plays |
Legacy | World’s best-selling fiction writer, known for intricate plot twists and character development | Established the detective genre, heavily influenced popular culture and detective fiction |
Writing Period | 1920–1970 | 1887–1927 |
Personal Interests | Archaeology, travel | Medicine, spiritualism |
Influence on Genre | Modernized the detective genre with complex plots and memorable characters | Pioneered the detective genre and set the standard for detective fiction |
Writing Style: Agatha Christie Vs Arthur Conan Doyle
Christie had always known for paying attention to the smallest details in her works and clever plot twists. Most importantly, she was a master of misdirecting her readers often leading them down one path later revealing a surprising and an unexpected twist in the end, making them think they knew everything.
Meanwhile, Conan’s writing style was too literary, concentrating lesser on the small details and knows how to make use of or include awesome dialogues. Aside from this, he was also a master of employing literary devices like metaphor and analogy together with imagery.
Also Read: Sherlock Holmes vs Hercule Poirot: Who is the Better Detective?
Who Came First: Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle?
Undeniably, its Arthur Conan Doyle who came first before Agatha Christie. He published his first series of adventures featuring Holmes in the late 1800s while Agatha Christie published her first novel in the year 1920 Murder on the Orient Express featuring Hercule Poirot who is one of her famous long running series.
Were Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle Contemporaries?
Unfortunately, the answer is no because they did not live in the same era. When Christie lived in the period of the World War I, Conan lived in the late 1800s. It is not evident that they even met once nor related to each other but the only thing that connects them is that they are both British and they both were crime fiction writers.
Was Agatha Christie Inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle?
Yes, Agatha Christie was undoubtedly inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle. Both authors are considered pioneers of the detective fiction genre, and Christie’s work often reflects the influence of Doyle’s iconic character, Sherlock Holmes.
How Arthur would have Fabricated Hercule Poirot: Let’s Imagine
Taking into view of both Holmes and Poirot’s personality, they both were extremely adamant and exceptionally intelligent who looks down on their assistant.
- Conan would have retained the same traits in Poirot. but unlike Christie’s writing, undoubtedly Conan would not have let Poirot have a tragic end where he took his own life deliberately.
- Poirot would have been an unmarried man who seeks for love in Katherine.
- In few words, Poirot’s life would have been less miserable if he were written by Conan.
To sum up, besides the fact they both were detective novelists, they had incompatible perceptions for their detectives. They both lived in a different era, Wherefore, we can conclude the battle of Agatha Christie vs Arthur Conan Doyle that they both were the best writers in their prime.
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