Reviews

Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey

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klaireparavel's review against another edition

5.0

A compelling, heart-breaking read weaving together the stories of an 82 year old English woman in 2012 spiralling downwards into dementia, the mystery of her sister's disappearance in 1946 and the whereabouts of her closest friend Elizabeth. Told from Maud's point of view, you spend the entirety of the book in her muddled head as she forgets, and remembers, eventually confuses and fuses past and present until the final chapter. There is a certain charm to the dialogue and storytelling, even in it's dismal and depressing reality. It will no doubt hit too close to home for many, but if you can bear the subject matter I can't recommend it enough.

threeappleshi's review against another edition

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challenging sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

ladyreading365's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

dunnadam's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this book for a book club and liked it a lot, the narrative voice wasn't one I'd heard before and it was exciting stepping into a world that was totally new. As time went on the voice of the present old forgetful lady was interrupted by visions of her past and a more conventional narrative and I disliked these intrusions into the story, especially at the start. I came to dislike them less but I wouldn't say I ever really liked them, even as it became clear that the real story here was in the past.
So often with books there's a sense that the narrator knows the resolution but can't tell you right out as it would ruin the story, so you get a series of slowly unfolding flashbacks that can drive you crazy, shouting at the book "Just tell me!" The idea that the narrator herself doesn't know, or can't remember, is a new one and it works very well in this book.
In typical British fashion the ending isn't laid out with a neat bow and diagram, but you're left to insinuate what happened and it is pretty clear. This isn't an American book with everything laid out or a series of clever twist endings, it's just a story, a good story, and a better narration.

erasmios's review against another edition

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3.0

Maud's best friend Elizabeth is missing. Healey's first novel is a well-written little mystery about an elderly lady's missing friend. Maud starts to "investigate" her friend's disappearance, but she has one big problem. She's suffering from severe dementia. Aided by the pieces of her memories and small dateless notes in her pocket and purse she tries her best to find Elizabeth. The novel was very captivating. Maud's inner struggles with her dementia are written very convincingly. To others, she seems like a "mad old woman" but the reader knows how her past gets mixed with the present and how her demented logic works. She's not mad, just confused, living in two worlds at once. And Elizabeth's not the only person to go missing; Maud's sister also disappeared 70 years earlier. From the beginning, I was reading Elizabeth Is Missing as a crime novel, and that lead me to be a little underwhelmed by the ending. There were no big surprises. Don't expect Christie-like twists here. It's not that kind of story.

kyra_c_c's review against another edition

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5.0

Maud is one of the most unreliable but engaging narrators I have read for a long time. I really enjoyed this - perfect mix of poignant and funny. I really felt for Maud and her family and was desperate to get to the heart of both mysteries.

astoriareader's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

SYNOPSIS

Maud is elderly & has dementia, which continues to worsen over time. She forgets where she is going, where she is, whether she has eaten, and more. Her daughter, Helen, takes care of her.
Maud writes herself notes as reminders. She constantly tries to focus on whether her best friend, Elizabeth, is missing.
At times, Maud recalls her childhood, where her sister, Sukey, also disappeared in 1946.

MY THOUGHTS

So beautifully written. Very unique premise.
Loved how these stories flow together. Maud seamlessly brought back to memories of her sister’s disappearance, and the two time lines alternate in the story.
Excellent character development.
I couldn’t put it down. I was really invested in tying up all the loose ends.
Impressive execution, masterful story telling.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️very unique premise. loved the execution and character development.

Content Warnings