Elizabeth is Missing is the debut novel of British writer Emma Healey.
The main character and narrator of the book is an 82-year-old lady called Maud, who is described in the synopsis as being ‘forgetful’. Before long, however, the reader will realise that ‘forgetful’ is massive understatement. Much like Christopher from Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Maud is an extremely unusual central character and narrator, which gives the book a unique, tilted perspective. We soon realise that Maud is a somewhat unreliable narrator, whose memories of how things have happened cannot always be dependable.
The novel is set in modern-day; however, the narrative switches back and forth and a large chunk of the book depicts the flashbacks and memories of Maud’s life during post-war period. During Maud’s digressions to the past, we learn that, when she was a young girl, her sister Sukey disappeared and was never found. Maud’s early memories are centred around her sister’s disappearance, and the effect this had on her and her family. Despite years of desperate searching, waiting and looking for clues, Maud never solved the mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance. During these flashbacks, Healey portrays war-time imagery perfectly and creates a range of immensely believable, exceptional characters throughout the book.
Fast-forward to present day and 82-year-old Maud is worrying about the whereabouts of her dear friend, Elizabeth, whom she hasn’t seen for weeks. Maud writes everything she thinks of down on scraps of paper so as not to forget her train of thought (although she still goes to the local shop, forgets what she’s come for and ends up buying jar after jar of peach slices and sometimes does not even recognise her own daughter and granddaughter). However, Maud is adamant about one thing – Elizabeth is missing and she must do something about it. Maud does everything she can think of, from visiting Elizabeth’s house to search for clues to going to the police station to report her best friend missing. Nevertheless, no one will take Maud seriously and everyone around her becomes irritated with her repetitive actions and her obsession over Elizabeth’s disappearance.
As the story progresses, Maud’s memories become increasingly mixed up with reality and she finds it harder and harder to distinguish between the two. She knows someone important in her life is missing, but can’t always remember who it is. It becomes clear that Maud’s fractured mind also holds the answer to a 70-year-old mystery, but she just can’t piece the memories together.
This novel triggers the reader to experience a range of different emotions, such as frustration at Maud’s jumbled thoughts, to immense sadness and aching pity for the elderly lady, to laughing out loud at the bizarre, dark humour throughout the novel. Admittedly, the repetition throughout the book can become somewhat tiresome and aggravating for the reader, although it wonderfully illustrates Maud’s frenzied, muddled mind.
Healey handles this sensitive, memorable story in an unforgettable style, and although it is not an extremely pleasant, easy-going read, it is beautifully done and the reader becomes completely absorbed by it. The ending isn’t clarified as much as I’d hoped and a few unanswered questions are, to an extent, left open to interpretation. Although Elizabeth is Missing is a ‘love it or hate it’ type of book, it has a lingering effect on the reader and is, undoubtedly, a remarkable read, especially for a debut novel. Emma Healey is definitely an author to look out for in the future, judging by this ingenious book.
Words by Sarah Turner