Hey all!
Marie Benedict has a gift. Every time I’ve read one of her fictionalized tales of a real woman, I find myself reading it as an autobiography. She makes me believe that the subject, who is also the narrator, actually wrote the text. Logically, I know that isn’t true. But her writing style is such that I read the book thinking I’m reading all real information.
That’s tricky. Benedict does an immense amount of research, it seems, for her books. In an interview I read, she says that she likes to anchor the fictionalized version of the characters in her research, but acknowledges that she must fill in the gaps. So, one must remember that everything you read in a Benedict book is subject to that claim. So, don’t be like me – be sure to get into the fiction mindset when you read one of her books. You may recall that Kelley and I expressed the same issue when we read “Rodham” for the podcast. So, if you’re going to pick one up, you’ve been warned.
However, pick one up, you should. I finished “The Mysterious Mrs. Christie” recently, and what a trip it was to read the mystery about the famous mystery writer. It is true that Agatha Christie disappeared in December 1926 for 11 days. When she was found in a Yorkshire hotel, it was discovered that she had checked in using the name of her husband’s girlfriend, though the public didn’t know that at the time. Speculations ran wild…that she had amnesia, that she had suffered a breakdown due to stress and embarrassment over her husband’s affair, that it was a publicity stunt for her newest book. Christie never confirmed any of this, and often in interviews refused to discuss the incident completely.
What I enjoyed about Benedict’s take on all of this, was the idea that behind the world’s most famous mystery career, there was a woman, struggling to keep it all together just like so many of us. Maybe she just needed a break! It’s yet another example of how we only put forth our best to the public and in 1926 Agatha Christie wasn’t going to let anyone know that she sacrificed time with her daughter to placate her husband’s need for attention; that her marriage was undergoing it’s own trials; that she downplayed her own success – which kept a roof over their heads, for the sake of her husband’s ego. Perfect she was not, but as per usual with the women at the forefront of a Benedict novel, she was relatable in many ways.
This one was an interesting read, but of the Benedict novels I’ve read it comes in behind “Carnegies Maid” and “Lady Clementine”. An article I read about the racism in Christie’s writing right after I finished this book probably affected that. However, if you are looking for an entertaining way to spend a few hours, this is a good one…keeping in mind that it can’t be regarded as fact. Especially since no one really knows the resolution of her greatest mystery.
Your favorite ale or stout with this one, I think.
Jaclyn