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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Why are Mary Westmacott books known as romances?
Definitely this one is not.
Joan Scudamore is stranded for days in the desert, no one to talk to, nothing to do, so she turns inward. We had already been given hints that her life was not all that it seemed when she met Blanche, an old school friend.
Joan comes has certain revelations about her family and her relationships with them.
Too, too resonant.
And that last line….
Definitely this one is not.
Joan Scudamore is stranded for days in the desert, no one to talk to, nothing to do, so she turns inward. We had already been given hints that her life was not all that it seemed when she met Blanche, an old school friend.
Joan comes has certain revelations about her family and her relationships with them.
Too, too resonant.
And that last line….
Most people have heard of Agatha Christie and her murder mysteries. However, the six novels she penned under the name of Mary Westmacott are relatively unknown.
Unlike her other works, this story does not feature a crime. Instead it focuses on a middle-aged woman stuck in an isolated rest house in the desert for days, waiting for a train to take her back to civilisation. With nothing to do, Joan Scudamore ends up assessing her life and facing some unpalatable truths. Sounds less than thrilling, and yet... Christie writes in such a manner that even an unlikeable main character is rendered fascinating. The reader is enticed to gather all the clues of this life, especially the details in between the lines, to put together the picture of this woman and her influence, like an investigation. Not only this, there is a feeling of urgency growing through the pages - what will happen?
Absent in the Spring was Christie’s most satisfying work - “...the book that I had always wanted to write, that had been clear in my mind. It was the picture of a woman with a complete image of herself, of what she was, but about which she was completely mistaken” - and she does this masterfully, offering us a dramatic and intriguing psychological study.
One can’t help wondering if Agatha felt something similar when her fist husband left her, turning her life upside down. Everyone wonders where the author disappeared for those 11 days, but did she do just that - find herself an isolated spot and analyse her life, especially the signs pertaining to her husband that she had refused to see... Whichever way, this novel is brilliant, disturbing, and entertaining.
Unlike her other works, this story does not feature a crime. Instead it focuses on a middle-aged woman stuck in an isolated rest house in the desert for days, waiting for a train to take her back to civilisation. With nothing to do, Joan Scudamore ends up assessing her life and facing some unpalatable truths. Sounds less than thrilling, and yet... Christie writes in such a manner that even an unlikeable main character is rendered fascinating. The reader is enticed to gather all the clues of this life, especially the details in between the lines, to put together the picture of this woman and her influence, like an investigation. Not only this, there is a feeling of urgency growing through the pages - what will happen?
Absent in the Spring was Christie’s most satisfying work - “...the book that I had always wanted to write, that had been clear in my mind. It was the picture of a woman with a complete image of herself, of what she was, but about which she was completely mistaken” - and she does this masterfully, offering us a dramatic and intriguing psychological study.
One can’t help wondering if Agatha felt something similar when her fist husband left her, turning her life upside down. Everyone wonders where the author disappeared for those 11 days, but did she do just that - find herself an isolated spot and analyse her life, especially the signs pertaining to her husband that she had refused to see... Whichever way, this novel is brilliant, disturbing, and entertaining.
Acredito que todos nós paramos e refletimos sobre muitas coisas do nosso passado. Algumas memórias são difíceis e outras muito alegres, mas o que nos faz crescer e evoluir é refletir sobre os nossos erros. Joan saiu da zona de conforto e fez sua autorreflexão.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Returning from visiting her daughter in Baghdad, Joan Scudmore finds herself stranded in a rest house by flooding - alone with her thoughts, she contemplates her life…
This is now the third Westmacott I’ve read as part of my Sharky Reads Christie project, and although it was the least worst so far, I rather wish I hadn’t decided to include them (alas I am a completist).
It is a truly excellent character study and Christie perfectly renders a very specific variety of British woman: self-important, self-aggrandising, somehow involved in every singly thing happening in the parish, condescendingly thinks she knows what’s best for everyone but actually doesn’t understand the temperament of her family at all, largely oblivious. Colonial superiority abounds in every casual comment about the locals (be warned). It’s mildly satisfying to watch her slowly realise and confront the reality.
But here’s the thing, whilst it’s a richly drawn, acute (and lampooning) portrait, I just…didn’t really care. So it was fine, but frankly, reading this book added nothing of import to my life - I’ve met enough of this sort of person (the modern iteration is not so different), there’s no need to read about them also. Plus the ending was kind of frustrating.
A rich, astute and brutal character study, but also rather pointless.
This is now the third Westmacott I’ve read as part of my Sharky Reads Christie project, and although it was the least worst so far, I rather wish I hadn’t decided to include them (alas I am a completist).
It is a truly excellent character study and Christie perfectly renders a very specific variety of British woman: self-important, self-aggrandising, somehow involved in every singly thing happening in the parish, condescendingly thinks she knows what’s best for everyone but actually doesn’t understand the temperament of her family at all, largely oblivious. Colonial superiority abounds in every casual comment about the locals (be warned). It’s mildly satisfying to watch her slowly realise and confront the reality.
But here’s the thing, whilst it’s a richly drawn, acute (and lampooning) portrait, I just…didn’t really care. So it was fine, but frankly, reading this book added nothing of import to my life - I’ve met enough of this sort of person (the modern iteration is not so different), there’s no need to read about them also. Plus the ending was kind of frustrating.
A rich, astute and brutal character study, but also rather pointless.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pretty good. Simple, but I'll be thinking about it for awhile.
Of it's time. A fascinating exploration of character, and a brilliant question answered: Who would we meet if we were alone in the desert?
This is not a crime mystery, but it is as compelling. This is my first non crime fiction book by Agatha Christie and, to me, it merely confirms what a fantastic writer she was. I will definitely check out her other non-crime books.
This one is a thought provoking, though sad, novel. I do believe, as the account is so vivid and so well put into words, that it may mirror the author's thoughts at some point in her life.
Agatha Christie described it as "the one book that has satisfied me completely - the book I always wanted to write".
I wasn't very keen on Joan Scudamore, the main character. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere in the desert, having run out of books to read and writing paper, she is forced, due to her boredom, to reflect on her life so far and the person she truly is. I really felt sorry for her husband and three children and for them having to put up with her!
This one is a thought provoking, though sad, novel. I do believe, as the account is so vivid and so well put into words, that it may mirror the author's thoughts at some point in her life.
Agatha Christie described it as "the one book that has satisfied me completely - the book I always wanted to write".
I wasn't very keen on Joan Scudamore, the main character. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere in the desert, having run out of books to read and writing paper, she is forced, due to her boredom, to reflect on her life so far and the person she truly is. I really felt sorry for her husband and three children and for them having to put up with her!