Agatha Christie novels become latest classics censored to remove ‘offensive’ language

British mystery author Agatha Christie’s works are the latest to be slapped down by sensitive censors, and the move comes weeks after controversy surrounding edits to works by Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming and more.

The new editions of the Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries published by HarperCollins have rewritten or deleted some passages for modern audiences, particularly passages about characters encountered outside the UK, according to The Guardian.

One example changes the word “native” to “local” while others remove racial slurs or offensive racial language, including the term “Oriental” and the “N-word”.

DECADES BEFORE CULTURE AWAKENING, AUTHOR ROALD DAHL WARNED EDITORS ABOUT THE CHANGES: DON’T REMOVE A ‘SINGLE COMMA’

The UK Telegraph reported that references to racist physical descriptions had also been removed from new editions, including those describing characters as black, Jewish or gypsy.

One excerpt from the 1964 novel “A Caribbean Mystery” removed a reference to a hotel employee’s “beautiful white teeth”, while another passage from 1937’s “Death on the Nile” reduced a passage complaining about children, deleting a section that reads: “their eyes are just disgusting, as are their noses,” the outlet reported.

Additional changes involved erasing references to Nubians in “Death on the Nile”, with one instance condensing “the Nubian boatman” to simply say “the boatman”.

ROALD DAHL’S PUBLISHER BACKS DOWN AFTER ANTI-REVIVAL RETURN: ‘CLASSIC’ LANGUAGE VERSION TO STAY IN PRINT

English writer Dame Agatha Christie, poses in March 1946 for a photographer holding a notebook, at her home, Greenway House, Devonshire. (AFP via Getty Images)

Similar edits to classic Dahl and Fleming novels caused a stir last month when, to preserve the appeal of modern sensibilities, allusions to racist, sexist, homophobic or fatphobic language were removed from new versions.

Some, especially Dahl’s writings, have been edited to include more “gender-inclusive” terminology.

Sensitivity readers have also cracked down on other more recent popular series, including RL Stine’s favorite horror series “Goosebumps” popularized in the 1990s, removing and altering references to weight, sanity and weight. ethnicity that might be considered offensive by modern audiences. .

I HAVE READ ALL OF JAMES BOND’S BOOKS AND WRITTEN FOR A LIVING. CENSORING THEM IS JUST WRONG

Agatha Christie (1890-1976), British author of detective novels, signing the French editions of her books, around 1950. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Stine, hitting back at accusations that he authorized the changes, tweeted earlier this month, “The stories aren’t true. I never changed a word in ‘Goosebumps.’ has never been shown.”

But mid-century authors like Dahl, Fleming and Christie have become the focal point for softening offensive language to meet 21st-century ideals as culture increasingly focuses on diversity, inclusion and acceptance.

Fox News Digital reached out to HarperCollins for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

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