The first book finished in my plan to read some books with SPRING in the title through Spring was ‘Absent in the Spring’ by Agatha Christie writing as Mary Westmacott.
I’m not surprised she used a different name for this book as it’s completely different to her crime and mystery books.
‘Absent In The Spring’ was written in just three days and Christie said it was “The one book that has satisfied me completely – the book I always wanted to write.” It was published in 1944 but is set in England and Iraq a few years before the war.
Returning home by an overland route from a visit to her youngest daughter in Iraq, Joan Scudamore finds herself unexpectedly alone and stranded in a rest house when bad weather holds up her train across the desert. With nothing to do but walk and think, for the first time ever Joan has to look at the truths about herself and her family. Looking back she examines her attitudes, relationships and actions and becomes very uneasy about how smug and un-seeing she has been.
This is an unsettling book to read – Joan thinks she has been a perfect wife and mother but really has been completely selfish without realising the effect a very early decision has had on her husband and then her three children.
“Oh but, Rodney, There are lots of other things to consider. There’s their schooling. They must go to good schools……………..you cant just do what You want to do…………………She had spoken very decidedly, very positive………………..He was like a little boy. She felt strong confident and maternal………………….He had looked at her then – a long sad look………..”
It’s was quick read but not a happy one.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
