🟢 Ann Prentice is a middle-aged widow who lives with one daughter and a servant-slash-companion. She's been leading a quiet and happy life, and it seems that her only worry, at present, is what she's going to do after her daughter became independent as a young woman. That's when a complication is thrown on her, in the shape of a widower called Richard Cauldfield, with whom she's falling in love, but of whom, her daughter Sarah is disagree.
🟢 Richard Cauldfield is a shy, stubborn, insecure man, who in general dislikes modern women. Naturally he dislikes Sarah from the first, but feels the need of being kind to her, resulting in a series of blunders, which makes Sarah hates him even more. Confronted with constant quarrels and bickering between the two, Ann is torn between her love for her daughter and her lover. The first would mean she'll have to sacrifice her own happiness. What will a mother do in this circumstance?
🟢 The plot seems like a simple one, and honestly, I had never expected that this book would be a thought-provoking psychological drama. I'm already familiar with Christie's psychological analysis in her crime stories (it's this side that made me loving her in the first place), and this one feels like she was presented at last with an opportunity to freely play with it. And didn't she do it wholeheartedly! The result is a very powerful, poignant phycological dissection of each character, in a conflict. And it's the kind of process that we could relate much - the sacrifices we make for our loved ones; the lies we make that what we do are for others' good; and the denials that we are fine. We just live with it thinking that everything's fine, until a clear-headed someone bluntly scolds us and opens our eyes. This someone in this story is Dame Laura Whitstable, an old friend of Ann, and an expert in psychology - whom I suspect was Christie's own voice.
🟢 It's a brilliant, thought-provoking story that makes you reflect about happiness. Is it worth fighting for one's personal happiness, even if it means making others uncomfortable or even unhappy?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
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Glad you enjoyed this so much, Fanda. I've never read any of her Mary Westmacott books either but your description of the psychological analysis of characters does tempt me to want to pick one up. Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mallika. I've always thought the Wesmacott's ones are merely romance. I should've known from her mystery, that Christie's are often tinged with psychology or superstition!
DeleteHow odd, I've read all the ACs but never a Westmacott. This does sound quite striking!
ReplyDeleteSame here... Her mysteries are so good, that I'm worried her Westmacott's would not live to expectation. Apparently I'm wrong.
DeleteOh, great choice for the club! Although I love Christie, I don't think I've ever read a Westmacott (though I do own some). Glad to hear that there is such psychological depth in this one!!
ReplyDeleteThanks to #1052Club, I get to read a Westmacott at last! ;)
DeleteI've also never read any of the Westmacott novels--I'm glad to hear this was so good, even if somewhat dark. I'll have to try and find it.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I fear about Westmacott novels, they seem to be depressing. I'm glad I've finally read this one. Hopefully you'll like it too, Reese.
DeleteI have often thought about reading one of Christie's books written as Westmacott. This one sounds like it would be good. Very nice review.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tracy! I'm surprised that no one (so far) in this comment section has ever read a Westmacott! I thought I'm behind.
DeleteIt will be quite awhile before I get to this one in my chronological reading of Christie's works. But it sure does sound really good! I actually already have a copy of it on my shelf. :)
ReplyDeleteNice, Karen! I'm also doing a chronological reading of Christie's mystery (mostly a second read). Thank God she's such a prolific author, that we might never run out of her books or stories! ;)
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