We resolved a mystery of the murder at the Orient Express! Another meeting in our Book Corner in Beirut

We had an amazing meeting full of deep philosophical thinking as well as cool games. The session began with an introduction to Agatha Christie, the renowned author who is the best-selling author of all time, second only to William Shakespeare. Despite her family's mediocrity and the criticism of her "impossible" murder plots, Christie pursued writing mysteries with a focus on studying human nature rather than the murders themselves. Her books are characterized by isolated settings, a confined group of characters which heightens the suspense, ambiguous personalities, and plot twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Our discussion featured her book, "Murder on the Orient Express," published in 1934. The story takes place on the luxurious Orient Express, which travels from Istanbul to London through Europe. Inspired by her own travels on this train and the real-life kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Jr., Christie crafted a plot involving a dozen characters seeking justice through revenge. Hercule Poirot, Christie's famous detective, solves the mystery but refuses to decide the fate of the murderers.

This led us to ponder deep questions: Can we achieve justice without truth? Can we have truth without justice? Opinions varied, highlighting the difference between the two concepts. One notable insight from Dr. Hobeika suggested that the characters achieved equality, but not justice. We delved into themes of justice, truth, justification, and morality. A thought-provoking question from Serena, a 15-year-old participant, asked why Poirot, a seeker of truth, chose to hide it this time. Martha replied by saying that Poirot's personal satisfaction in solving crimes sometimes overshadowed his love for justice, especially when multiple people were involved. Ibrahim's analysis of the interplay between mind, heart, passion, and morality was enlightening, especially in understanding the murderers' actions. Fr Elia Mouannes also contributed, discussing human nature and conscience, encouraging us to explore human virtues.

After the discussion, some attendees played the board game Clue, carefully analyzing suspects, weapons, and rooms. For me, this was one of the best meetings in the Book Corner. Being a big fan of Agatha Christie's works, it was exhilarating to see young people and adults engage in such deep discussions. This is why we have the Book Corner, and I eagerly look forward to our future meetings, hoping to continue on this upward journey!

Remember: our Book Corner meetings are taking place every 3rd Sunday of the month in Mar Mkhayel Cultural Center in Beirut. Please join!

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