Absent in the Spring cover art

Absent in the Spring

A Mary Westmacott Novel

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Absent in the Spring

By: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Jacqui Crago
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About this listen

A striking novel of truth and soul-searching.

Returning from a visit to her daughter in Iraq, Joan Scudamore finds herself unexpectedly alone and stranded in an isolated rest house by flooding of the railway tracks.
Looking back over the years, Joan painfully re-examines her attitudes, relationships and actions and becomes increasingly uneasy about the person who is revealed to her…

Famous for her ingenious crime books and plays, Agatha Christie also wrote about crimes of the heart, six bittersweet and very personal novels, as compelling and memorable as the best of her work.

©2011 Mary Westamacott (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Classics Crime Fiction Mystery Traditional Detectives Women's Fiction Exciting

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Critic reviews

‘The one book that has satisfied me completely – the book I always wanted to write.’ Agatha Christie

‘A tour de force which should be recognized as a classic.’ New York Times
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A perceptive book, timeless and beautifully read. More Westmacott required Agatha, reflecting those inner voices and gaps in understanding.

A joy of book

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After reading Agatha Christie’s autobiography I wanted to read this book. She wrote it as Mary Westmacott as very different from all the detective novels readers would expect writing as Christie. She wrote this novel very quickly indeed. I liked the descriptions of the travel as she experienced that in real life. Very introspective which got a bit tedious… but bear with it as there is a twist in the Epilogue. I think it gives an insight into what Christie’s mind was like during her 10 days’ mystery disappearance.

Very introspective

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loved it very thought provoking read . never read any of Agatha Christie's Mary westmacott books and it didnt disappoint

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It was very interesting to hear a non crime Agatha Christie novel. The story held my interest and had great psychological and spiritual depth.

Unexpected depth

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A woman finds herself marooned in a lonely place and is forced to review her life. Nothing much happens, but it is compelling listening. As ever, Agatha Christie, shows a great understanding of human nature and her wonderful gift of storytelling. I wish it had gone on longer.

A book that makes you think about your life.

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For the first time in her ordered life Joan finds herself temporarily alone with time to review the relationships between herself and her husband and each of them with their children. This book is a fascinating affirmation of how landscape and distance can change our perceptions of what we believe to be our status quo . Does the truth set us free in the luxury of the physical removal from our familiar world or does the return to that world mean the return to our old values? Which one is correct and what are the consequences?

Instantly recognisable are the solid values of the middle class 1930s with their inevitable moral lapses and cover ups, all done with the good British intention of not making a fuss.

Beautifully enunciated by Jacqui Crago, the reader really does feel taken back with Joan to the contrasts of international overland travel and the respectable comfort of her Engiish market town home.

Perceptive portrait of a middle class marriage

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I’d put off reading this book for years. I’m a keen Agatha Christie fan but wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy her writing as Mary Westmacott. I shouldn’t have worried. It was a very interesting read. It’s a short book, and I finished it over a couple of days. I wish more books were this length!

The character of Joan Sudmore is so sharply observed it’s almost painful. I did feel sorry for Joan. She doesn’t see herself as others do. Interestingly, the main character is “cut off” from her normal life and this enforces a period of unwelcome reflection. I suppose she had that in common with the characters from some of Agatha’s mysteries.

It’s very much not a mystery, so I can see why she published under a pseudonym, but I really enjoyed it, and I’ll definitely listen to more Mary Westmacott books.

The narration by Jacqui Crago is superb.

Absent in the Spring

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loved it. Definitely recommend. A book that makes you think. I will listen again great.

brilliantly written

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An interesting portrait of a certain time, place and attitudes, very well written and read.

Very good listen

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I loved this book. It was a very engaging story. The epilogue really finished it off to perfection.

Very thought provoking

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