Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey

Two mysteries in one read.  

When this book was put forward as our latest read, there was a communal sigh.  Surely life has its own stresses without spending time reading about that most depressing of conditions, dementia?  However, those of us who pursued this literary challenge found an unexpectedly enjoyable read between its pages.

Despite being narrated by an elderly mother with dementia (Maud), it was nowhere near as grim as expected and, after a slow start, turned out to be a cleverly plotted double mystery - historical and modern day. 

The modern day mystery entails a search for Maud’s friend, Elizabeth.   The search entails a lot of lists, reminders, labels, and excessive purchases– so typical of people with memory problems  - and manages to enrage Elizabeth’s son as well as creating additional demands on Maud’s daughter, Helen. 

Those of us with ageing parents could identify with Helen and saw our shameful reflection in Maud’s eyes.  Whilst uncomfortable, it was helpful to see ourselves in the eyes of another and has paid dividends for future relationships in difficult circumstances. 

In reality, the modern mystery is simply a backdrop, or vehicle, for the main feature which is the historical mystery.  Effectively narrated though flashbacks, this mystery creates momentum and motivation to turn the pages and find out whatever happened to Maud’s glamorous older sister, Sukey who married the notorious, Frank.  Many of the group enjoyed the portrayal of England during and immediately after WW2  and realised the implications for individuals and communities faced with daily bombings, rationing, evacuation and conscription.

Sadly, beyond a touch of poignancy, dementia may take more from this book than it adds.  The author faces an uphill struggle inviting readers to knowingly spend time with this condition, and the plot suffers by having such an unreliable narrator.  These prejudices seem grossly unjust for what turned out to be an enjoyable, clever, and illuminating read, but surely mirror those faced by many whose life is touched by dementia?  

Maybe, in writing Elizabeth is Missing, Emma Healey offers up an alternative, and more positive, narrative for the condition we currently stigmatize as dementia?

We reviewed this book at   The Robin Hood Inn at East Wallhouses. .   The food was  very well received – especially the lamb and the Thai curries.