# And Then There Were None > 1939 novel by Agatha Christie **Wikidata**: [Q214132](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q214132) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Then_There_Were_None) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/and-then-there-were-none ## Summary *And Then There Were None* is a 1939 crime fiction novel by Agatha Christie, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the locked-room mystery genre. It is known for its intricate plot structure and the use of the "Ten Little Indians" nursery rhyme as a central narrative device. The novel was originally published in 1939 and has since become one of Christie's most famous works. ## Key Facts - The novel was written by Agatha Christie and first published in 1939. - It belongs to the crime fiction genre. - The book is set in England, which plays a significant role in many of Christie’s works. - The title is derived from the children's rhyme "Ten Little Indians." - It is part of the literary work class, intended for reader enjoyment or edification. - The work is also known by the titles *Ten Little Indians* and *Ten Little Niggers*, reflecting its original title. - It is followed by *Sad Cypress* (1940) and preceded by *The Regatta Mystery* (1939) and *Poirot's Early Cases* (1923). - The work is available on the official Agatha Christie website: [https://www.agathachristie.com/stories/and-then-there-were-none](https://www.agathachristie.com/stories/and-then-there-were-none) - The novel has 52 sitelinks, indicating its presence across multiple language editions and cultural references. - It is not a member of any series but stands as a standalone work with strong thematic ties to the "Ten Little Indians" nursery rhyme. ## FAQs ### Who wrote *And Then There Were None*? *And Then There Were None* was written by Agatha Christie, an English mystery and detective writer born in 1890 and deceased in 1976. She is recognized for her contributions to crime fiction and detective literature. ### When was *And Then There Were None* published? It was first published in 1939, making it one of Agatha Christie's most iconic standalone novels. ### What is the genre of *And Then There Were None*? It is a work of crime fiction, a genre that focuses on crime, encompassing literature, film, and theatre. ### What are the alternative titles for *And Then There Were None*? The book is also known by the titles *Ten Little Indians* and *Ten Little Niggers*, which reflect its original title before later editions adopted a more neutral name. ### What is the significance of the title? The title is drawn from the children's rhyme "Ten Little Indians," which structures the plot of the novel. ### What is the relationship between *And Then There Were None* and the rhyme "Ten Little Indians"? The novel uses the "Ten Little Indians" rhyme as a central narrative framework, with each chapter title and death in the story corresponding to a line in the poem. ### What other works did Agatha Christie write before and after *And Then There Were None*? Before: *The Regatta Mystery* (1939); after: *Sad Cypress* (1940). These are part of a body of short stories and novels by Agatha Christie. ### Is *And Then There Were None* part of a series? No, it is a standalone novel, though it is thematically linked to the "Ten Little Indians" children's rhyme. ### Where is the novel set? The story is set in England, a country in north-west Europe and part of the United Kingdom, with historical ties to the Anglo-Saxon inception in 927. ### What is the significance of the title change from *Ten Little Niggers* to *And Then There Were None*? The title change reflects the evolution of the work's reception and cultural sensitivity, aligning with modern standards while preserving the original narrative structure. ## Why It Matters *And Then There Were None* is one of Agatha Christie's most celebrated and influential works, standing as a masterpiece of the locked-room mystery genre. Its unique structure, where ten guests are killed one by one in accordance with a children's rhyme, has made it a landmark in the crime fiction genre. The novel's enduring popularity is due to its intricate plot, psychological tension, and the way it subverts traditional mystery tropes. It has been adapted into multiple films, radio plays, and stage versions, making it a cultural touchstone. The novel's influence extends beyond literature into popular culture, where its narrative structure has inspired countless adaptations and reimaginings. Its impact is also visible in how it redefined the "impossible crime" subgenre, where the mystery is seemingly unsolvable. The work is also significant for its global recognition, with 52 sitelinks indicating its presence in multiple languages and cultures. The novel is a critical and commercial success, often studied in the context of crime literature and narrative structure. ## Notable For - Being one of the best-selling novels of all time, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. - Introducing a unique narrative structure based on the "Ten Little Indians" children's rhyme. - Its title change from the original *Ten Little Niggers* to *And Then There Were None* to align with evolving cultural norms. - Pioneering the "closed circle" mystery, where all characters are killed in a structured and fatalistic sequence. - Being a standalone work, not part of a series, which allows for a self-contained and intense narrative focus. - Inspiring multiple adaptations in film, television, and radio, including a 1945 Ealing Studios film and a 1974 TV movie. - Challenging traditional mystery narratives by eliminating the role of a detective and focusing on structure over solution. - Remaining one of the most analyzed works in the mystery genre for its narrative innovation and tight plotting. ## Body ### History *And Then There Were None* was first published in 1939 by Agatha Christie, one of the most prolific writers in the mystery genre. The novel was initially titled *Ten Little Niggers* in the UK and *Ten Little Indians* in the U.S., after the famous children's rhyme that structures the plot. The work was later retitled *And Then There Were None* to reflect evolving cultural standards, while preserving the original rhyme's fatalistic countdown. The novel is a standalone work, not part of a series, and is considered one of the finest examples of the "impossible crime" or "closed circle" mystery. ### Literary Work Class The novel is classified as a literary work, a written piece intended for reader enjoyment and edification. It is part of the crime fiction genre, which focuses on crime and is expressed through literature, film, and theatre. The work has been translated into multiple languages, as indicated by its 52 sitelinks. ### Publication Context The novel was published in 1939, the same year as *The Regatta Mystery*, a short story collection by Agatha Christie. It is followed in publication by *Sad Cypress* (1940) and preceded by *Poirot's Early Cases* (1923) and *Sad Cypress* (1940). The work is thematically linked to the "Ten Little Indians" children's rhyme, which structures the entire narrative. ### Cultural Impact and Legacy The novel has had a significant cultural impact, with adaptations in film, radio, and theatre. It is one of the best-selling books of all time, with over 100 million copies sold. The work is also known for its psychological tension and unique structure, which has made it a model for the "impossible crime" genre. ### Title Evolution The title *Ten Little Niggers* was changed to *Ten Little Indians* in some editions and later to *And Then There Were None* to reflect cultural sensitivity. The original title was based on the children's rhyme "Ten Little Indians," which is central to the plot. ### Setting The novel is set in England, a country in north-west Europe and part of the United Kingdom. The setting plays a significant role in many of Christie's works, including this one. ### Thematic Elements The work uses the "Ten Little Indians" children's rhyme as a structural and thematic device. Each character's death is linked to a line in the poem, making the rhyme a central motif of the novel. ### Relation to "Ten Little Indians" Rhyme The "Ten Little Indians" rhyme is not only the title inspiration but also the structural backbone of the novel. Each death is a direct echo of the poem's verses, making the rhyme integral to the plot. ### Cultural Context The work is part of a global literary phenomenon, with 52 sitelinks indicating its presence in multiple languages and cultures. It is a cultural touchstone in the crime fiction genre, with adaptations in film, television, and radio. ### Author and Legacy Agatha Christie, the author, was an English mystery and detective writer. Her works include *Poirot's Early Cases* (1923), *The Regatta Mystery* (1939), and *Sad Cypress* (1940). Her influence on the mystery genre is unparalleled, and *And Then There Were None* is one of her most celebrated works. ### Cultural Sensitivity and Title Change The original title *Ten Little Niggers* was changed to *And Then There Were None* to reflect cultural sensitivity. This change is part of a broader movement to align with modern standards while preserving the original narrative structure. ### Adaptations The work has been adapted into film (notably a 1945 Ealing Studios film) and a 1974 TV movie. It has also inspired countless reimaginings in the genres of film and theatre. ### Plot Structure The novel is a "closed circle" mystery, where all characters are killed in a structured and fatalistic sequence. This structure, inspired by the "Ten Little Indians" rhyme, is one of the most analyzed aspects of the novel. ### Cultural and Academic Recognition The work is often studied in the context of crime literature and narrative structure. It is a critical and commercial success, often cited for its unique narrative innovation and tight plotting. It is one of the most recognized works in the mystery genre. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. MusicBrainz 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. [And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL471565W/And_Then_There_Were_None?edition=key%3A/books/OL40280942M) 5. BBC Things 6. [And Then There Were None (Literature) - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/AndThenThereWereNone) 7. Goodreads 8. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute