Giant’s Bread
What is Giant’s Bread about?
Vernon Deyre lives with his parents, Nurse, and a selection of imaginary friends including the enigmatic Mr. Green, at the Deyre’s ancestral home of Abbots Puissants. As he grows, his nebulous fears crystallize into more specific forms, most notably in the Beast: a terrifying piano that symbolizes the way music makes him feel. His early inability to engage with music stems from the lack of his hearing the right kind of music, as a later experience at a concert makes very clear. This Titanic Concert triggers an epiphany and sets Vernon on a new life path that will sweep his friends along with him, regardless of their own needs. Agatha Christie , already famous for her Poirot crime stories among others, had determined that a pen name would give her the freedom to pursue other types of literature. Giant’s Bread , originally published in 1930 under the name of Mary Westmacott, was the first of six of these non-crime novels. The press, while stymied over which author had adopted the pen name, were enthusiastic, praising in particular the characterizations.
Main themes in Giant’s Bread
Literary fiction
The theme of literary fiction weaves through Giant’s Bread, adding depth to its narrative.
Artistic struggle
The theme of artistic struggle weaves through Giant’s Bread, adding depth to its narrative.
Musical genius
In Giant’s Bread, musical genius provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Romantic drama
The presence of romantic drama in Giant’s Bread connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Why Giant’s Bread is still relevant today
Giant's Bread (1930) was the first of six novels Agatha Christie published under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. This serious literary novel about a composer's artistic struggles and romantic entanglements reveals a different side of Christie's talent. She kept the pseudonym secret for years, wanting the books judged without her mystery reputation.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Giant's Bread about?
The novel follows Vernon Doyre, a musical genius whose artistic calling conflicts with his romantic relationships and the expectations of those around him. It spans from childhood through maturity, tracing his development as a composer.
Why did Christie use a pseudonym?
Christie wanted to write serious literary fiction without readers expecting mystery plots. The Mary Westmacott identity allowed her books to be judged on their own merits without genre expectations.
How long was the pseudonym secret?
Christie kept her identity hidden until 1949, when a newspaper revealed the connection. She wrote six Westmacott novels between 1930 and 1956.
Are the Westmacott novels mysteries?
No, they are literary fiction focused on psychological drama and relationships. They show Christie's range and her interest in serious themes beyond the puzzle mystery.