I hadn't thought about that, that it might be done on purpose, but that does make a lot of sense, particularly in view of how controversial her twist was. A "creeping dehumanizing quality" certainly fits how I read it. And if the readers are primed to be a little detached, the big reveal will feel less as a mockery.
I guess one could say that this novel almost is more of an example in mystery writing technique than an engaging story, form above content.
Re: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (don't read if talking about it spoils reading it for you)
I hadn't thought about that, that it might be done on purpose, but that does make a lot of sense, particularly in view of how controversial her twist was. A "creeping dehumanizing quality" certainly fits how I read it. And if the readers are primed to be a little detached, the big reveal will feel less as a mockery.
I guess one could say that this novel almost is more of an example in mystery writing technique than an engaging story, form above content.