The Burden by Agatha Christie
The Burden by Agatha Christie is the final book in her 6-book series written under a pseudonym. I was unsure if I should give the book 4 or 3 stars, but decided on 3. I can’t say exactly why I didn’t go for the 4 stars rating. It felt the book was a bit too complicated, with the main characters being two sisters, Laura and Shirley, which are in focus in the different parts in the novel.
The ending sounded a bit too good, as there were some shocking revelations just before that. While not an issue on its own, I think a clear ending was not what was needed. I can’t say anymore without going into spoilers.
The story covers some pretty heavy topics and I liked that part. The problem was that there were too many topics covered, so it got too busy and underwhelming for that reason. I think the book is ok and it is worth reading.
Books under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott (links to reviews):
Giant’s Bread (1930)
Unfinished Portrait (1934)
Absent in the Spring (1944) – 5 Stars
The Rose and the Yew Tree (1948) – 3 Stars
A Daughter’s a Daughter (1952) – 3 Stars
The Burden (1956) – 3 Stars
A Daughter’s a Daughter by Agatha Christie
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My rating: 3/5 Stars
Would I recommend it: yes-ish
Published by: HarperCollins
Year it was published: 1997 (first published in 1956)
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): Fiction
Pages: 223
About the author: Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller was born in Torquay, Devon, as the youngest of three. Before marrying and starting a family in London, she had served in a Devon hospital during the First World War, tending to troops coming back from the trenches. During the First World War, she worked at a hospital as a nurse; later working at a hospital pharmacy, a job that influenced her work, as many of the murders in her books are carried out with poison. During the Second World War, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at University College Hospital, London, acquiring a good knowledge of poisons which feature in many of her novels.
Her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, came out in 1920. During her first marriage, Agatha published six novels, a collection of short stories, and a number of short stories in magazines. In 1930, Christie married archaeologist Max Mallowan (Sir Max from 1968) after joining him in an archaeological dig. Their marriage was especially happy in the early years and remained so until Christie’s death in 1976.
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Sorry that a few of these books haven’t quite hit the right note for you, I really must try some of the short stories written both in her own name and under her pseudonym. The book I am reading right now seems to cover a myriad of social issues, all relevant, but just a little overpowering when shared in one storyline, so I know exactly what you mean. But I won’t give anything away until my review is published. I hope that your next foray into the world of fiction reading is more successful for you 🙂
Yvonne @Fiction_Books recently posted…My Husband’s Loverby Jess RyderReview
Yes, exactly. All issues are interesting, but too many if they are covered in a single book. Each one seems less important. But the book is not bad, just average because of the lack of focus.
It appears to be a fairly short novel, too… so I can imagine that would be a problem with so many threads in the story.
Kelly recently posted…Hidden meanings
It’s short, so all those topics were too many, although interesting to explore on their own.