Ataraxia
The entertainment giant has just released a new mini-series, and this time the inspiration comes from none other than the famous Agatha Christie.
The Seven Dials is Agatha’s 9th novel, the second one set at Chimneys (after The Secret of Chimneys), and it’s an understatement to say how delighted we are to see our dear Bundle again. But how does the famous novel hold up against the entertainment giant? Did Netflix manage to faithfully portray The Seven Dials?
First, what is it about?
It would be hard to explain The Seven Dials to you without immediately pointing out the first difference between the book and the series. Overall, we are dealing with the same murders, but the reason why Bundle gets involved is somewhat different.
Gerry Wade is found dead in his bed at Chimneys. The police conclude it was his own mistake: he supposedly took too much sleeping draught. Bundle hardly believes this; she is convinced there is a secret behind this death and is determined to investigate. But when her investigation leads to the death of another friend of hers, she is sure she is getting closer to the truth. A secret organization seems to be behind it all. But why kill Gerry and his friend? And what do Bundle and her loved ones have to do with all this? Only by lending a hand to Superintendent Battle will Bundle be able to see things more clearly and understand what is really happening at Chimneys.
The differences between the book and the series
One of the things that surprised me the most are the differences between the two works. In the book, Bundle is simply a young woman who is curious and determined to understand what is escaping her.
In the series, Bundle was in love with Gerry and on the verge of getting engaged to him. Her stubbornness is therefore justified as a desperate act of love to understand who took her beloved from her and why.
Her relationships with other characters are also quite different, especially with Bill and Ronny.
Without saying too much, you should also brace yourself because the Seven Dials organization is not structured in the same way in the book and in the series, and since I read this book second, I did not expect such an ending.
Finally, in the series Bundle has lost her father and her brother; she only has her mother left. Whereas in the book her father is alive, and Bundle is even very close to him. Her mother, moreover, is absent throughout.
The Secret of Chimneys: what’s the connection?
As I said earlier, The Seven Dials is actually the second novel set at Chimneys. The first one featured Bundle and Superintendent Battle, as well as Bill, Jimmy, and Ronny. However, in that book Bundle is almost nonexistent and her role is not very important. But if you want to stay in this universe, you will find well-known characters and remain in the fabulous Chimneys estate.
The book or the series: which is better?
I love Agatha Christie, yet I have to say I preferred the series. The connections made more sense and the ending, which hints at a sequel, is simply spectacular. The book, although really good, seemed more confusing to me. I don’t know if it is because I watched the series shortly before, but I had more trouble explaining certain behaviors to myself. In any case, both are absolutely brilliant and deserve to be read/watched at least once in your life.
