Helpful Score: 1
Some books are difficult for me to write even a few lines. This was one of them. This is a mystery of sorts which is solved at the very end. Likewise, it is a story of friendship for the narrator keeps looking for her friend, Elizabeth. It is told by an aging woman who has dementia. She remembers only parts of her life and gets them mixed up over and over again to the distress of her daughter, Helen, who loves her and cares for her. The disappearance of her sister in 1946 has haunted her throughout her life. No sign of her was ever found. As the story unfolds I found myself wondering how an author could write like someone who had this memory disease. Of course, I realized that dementia comes in many forms while it slowly develops gaps in memory. It's an interesting tale that gives the reader much to ponder. I found myself deeply embedded in the narrator as she tries so hard to unravel her thoughts and understand what is happening to her.
Not my cuppa. After seeing so many five star reviews from friends,I had huge expectations. The premise of a woman solving an old crime while succumbing to dementia is an interesting one. Unfortunately I did not care for any of the characters in the book and found a couple of them annoying.
What a fantastic writer! I'm amazed that this is her debut novel. So well-written, great depth of characters, intriguing story. She truly shows the sad effects of dementia on 80-yo Maud. Story is told first person, and there are a few times when the timeline changes that I had to read a few sentences to realize which time I was reading about. But overall, so well written, even the switching back and forth was enjoyable.
I had seen the movie, starring Glenda Jackson, so had a glimpse of what to expect. As with all movies vs books, of course the book gave many more details. Truly worth reading!
I had seen the movie, starring Glenda Jackson, so had a glimpse of what to expect. As with all movies vs books, of course the book gave many more details. Truly worth reading!
This is one of the most unusual but well written books I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Written in first person, from the perspective of an elderly lady experiencing dementia. The story is about the main character having lost her sister in 1946 in England. There are flashbacks that help to explain the back story. Her current friend, Elizabeth, is missing and no one will listen to her. Her daughter is her main caregiver, and the author does a superb job of showing the feelings and frustrations of someone in that position. How the author was able to write on this subject with such expert understanding is simply amazing. Excellent book - highly recommended!
Sad, yet funny at times. The story of an older woman, looking for her best friend, and remembering her sister's disappearance after WWII-all the time dealing with dementia. Recommended for anyone dealing with an older person, or anyone who plans on growing older.
Elizabeth Is Missing, the debut novel by Emma Healey, is billed as a mystery but is more so the story of 80 year old Maud's decline into dementia. The book draws well the image of a woman trying to hold onto the fragments of her memory, and in doing so, solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance decades ago. It is a sad story that could have been told as a short story or novella.
Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2014/07/elizabeth-is-missing.html
Read my complete review at: http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2014/07/elizabeth-is-missing.html
What an amazing story! Right from the first page, you are aware of the narrator's dementia. As the story progresses, you can see her confusion between the present and the past. What is so interesting, there is a second mystery within the main mystery. The confusion only increases as the book progresses, and you feel for her long-suffering daughter, and her utter frustration as she tries to cope. Yet the narrator's feelings are so poignant and clear. She uses countless slips of paper with notes to help her get through her day. She calls these her "paper brain", fully realizing her lack of memory. It's a sad, sad story, but so redeeming as well, as she struggles to solve what happened to her friend despite the odds. D.
I kind of liked this book but found it incredibly frustrating. The author switched time periods frequently, so it was a bit of a challenge to keep up. All in all, it was a quick read and an interesting concept.
