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Jump to navigationJump to searchElizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey (view source)
Revision as of 17:47, 6 January 2015
, 17:47, 6 January 2015no edit summary
As we go back and forth between now and Maud's youth, emphasising the prominence of long-term memory over short-term, we learn a lot about her and the gradually surfacing secrets. We not only realise a lot of her present day apparently senseless mumblings and behaviour actually make sense but we also see how she's become haunted by a horrific episode from her teens. Indeed, when aligned with her youth even her most random actions are no longer random.
As Maud's condition worsens heart wrenchingly, we begin to take more notice of her daughter Helen and realise how trying it must be. However we come to this realisation without any doom saturated 'woe is me' narrative but with some gems of sensitively placesd placed smiles and giggles. There's also an aura of uplift that accompanies the affection we feel for the family and the mystery, keeping us turning the pages.
''Elizabeth is Missing'' isn't only powerful and affecting, it's cleverly plotted with a jaw-dropping twist near the end. (Yay Helen!) It definitely brought home to me the importance of not side-lining those who are condemned to live in the past. We all know that, but Emma demonstrates vividly, making this compulsory reading for all care workers and those of us who should care more. In this way the mind set of all who meet a Maud, be it for a moment, a month or a life time shift for the better.
