Review: Elizabeth Is Missing By: Emma Healey

Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time seems to tick and go forward and in reverse in this original, amazing, beautiful novel about a woman who is suffering from alzheimers/dementia and the possibility of two crimes locked inside of her mind, one fairly recent the other from the past. Told in Maud's point of view, the reader gets lost inside the mind, within the panic, the memory, the confusion, the ongoing need to never forget and find the truth.
Slips of paper help Maud remember, each slip reminds her that Elizabeth is missing, that she hasn't called, that she hasn't been by. Maud knows that Elizabeth's son is no good and rations her, practically starves her, never visits. There is something about Elizabeth that brings about all the memories of long ago, when her sister Suskey went missing, about the mad woman that cursed her and birds flying about her head. How is it that she can remember so long ago, when her daughter's face no longer is recognizable, streets no longer are the same, when in a blink she has become the mad woman in the street.

I LOVED this book!!!!! It is hard to believe that this the author's first novel - for it is truly a talented piece. Original, brilliant, emotionally gripping, for lack of a better word - beautiful. Many twists, turns, surprises - this is one that you will enjoy, that you will want to share, and you will want to re read.

Now, I will divulge, that I have family members that have suffered and that currently suffer with ALZ and dementia -- this book was truly heartfelt from someone that had that experience, written I think with honor, love, and respect. It would be a great tool maybe to help open dialogue with some that are beginning their journey into your world of experience, to talk about the disease.

****** This is a First Reads, Thank You Goodreads *******

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