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‘Very much the art of story-telling that would be at home in the woman's magazine.' Times Literary Supplement
--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.Product Description
A newly reissued edition of Agatha Christie’s ‘Mary Westmacott’ novel, a Crime of the Heart novel about the destructive bond between two jealous sisters.
Laura Franklin bitterly resented the arrival of her younger sister Shirley, an enchanting baby loved by all the family. But Laura's emotions towards her sister changed dramatically one night, when she vowed to protect her with all her strength and love. While Shirley longs for freedom and romance, Laura has to learn that loving can never be a one-sided affair, and the burden of her love for her sister has a dramatic effect on both their lives. A story of consequences when love turns to obsession…
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Sisterly Love Proves To Be Heavy Burden
16 July 2011
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Mary Westmacott, the now well-known pseudonym of Agatha Christie, delves into relationships, particularly those of an older sister/younger sister.
At first Laura hates her younger sister. She prays for her to die, attempts to entice the family cat to smother her, and in general, hates this new person who will get the love she wants. But a tragic accident changes everything and younger sister Shirley becomes the total focus of Laura's life. Laura's every thought and action centers on Shirley and making sure she is happy and protected.
The story covers many years and sees Shirley making a terrible choice for a husband and living to reap the fall-out from such a choice. Can Laura step in again to save Shirley? And at what price to herself?
I thought this was an interesting story until the last section and the introduction of Llewellyn Knox. The heretofore interesting tale then downgraded into long winded discussions of philosophy and religion that seemed out-of-place. Be prepared for a rather fantastical ending, but as always with Christie, a highly readable tale.
At first Laura hates her younger sister. She prays for her to die, attempts to entice the family cat to smother her, and in general, hates this new person who will get the love she wants. But a tragic accident changes everything and younger sister Shirley becomes the total focus of Laura's life. Laura's every thought and action centers on Shirley and making sure she is happy and protected.
The story covers many years and sees Shirley making a terrible choice for a husband and living to reap the fall-out from such a choice. Can Laura step in again to save Shirley? And at what price to herself?
I thought this was an interesting story until the last section and the introduction of Llewellyn Knox. The heretofore interesting tale then downgraded into long winded discussions of philosophy and religion that seemed out-of-place. Be prepared for a rather fantastical ending, but as always with Christie, a highly readable tale.
...
2 Nov 2004
Format:Paperback
I'm not quite sure why you would write under a pen name when they go ahead and proclaim in bold letters, "Agatha Christie writing as Mary Westmacott!" It seems a bit counter-productive to me. But no matter.
This is the first Westmacott/Christie book that I've read (though I've done a very good job of reading through a good percentage of the Christie canon) and it was more than I was expecting. There is no real mystery bend to "The Burden" that matters (though, one thing is revealed at the end... nothing major)... it's all about relationships between people.
The book is divided into three main parts, each part from a different person's perspective. And while the parts are chronological, years seperate them... thus taking a chapter within the part to get a grip on where in the story we actually are.
Interestingly, the begining does NOT dictate the ending. At least, not how we exect it to. The begining conflict is how Laura wants her baby sister to die. That is resolved by the end of part one. Part two centers around Laura's sister, Shirley and how she finds love and marries and the complications that brings. The end of part two resolves that (in an implied way... but latter reveal to be correct). Then part three centers around a guy (who's name i forget... sorry!) and is an exploration of his life and his facination with a girl who lives on an island (who turns out to be Shirley). That part then ends bringing happiness to him... while STILL resolving a seed that Christi... erm, Westmacott planted in part one.
I would definately recommend The Burden as a good novella... though Christie fans mainly interested in fantastic twist endings will find it to be boring and uninteresting.
This is the first Westmacott/Christie book that I've read (though I've done a very good job of reading through a good percentage of the Christie canon) and it was more than I was expecting. There is no real mystery bend to "The Burden" that matters (though, one thing is revealed at the end... nothing major)... it's all about relationships between people.
The book is divided into three main parts, each part from a different person's perspective. And while the parts are chronological, years seperate them... thus taking a chapter within the part to get a grip on where in the story we actually are.
Interestingly, the begining does NOT dictate the ending. At least, not how we exect it to. The begining conflict is how Laura wants her baby sister to die. That is resolved by the end of part one. Part two centers around Laura's sister, Shirley and how she finds love and marries and the complications that brings. The end of part two resolves that (in an implied way... but latter reveal to be correct). Then part three centers around a guy (who's name i forget... sorry!) and is an exploration of his life and his facination with a girl who lives on an island (who turns out to be Shirley). That part then ends bringing happiness to him... while STILL resolving a seed that Christi... erm, Westmacott planted in part one.
I would definately recommend The Burden as a good novella... though Christie fans mainly interested in fantastic twist endings will find it to be boring and uninteresting.
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