Bee reviewed The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont
Review of 'The Christie Affair' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
When I saw The Christie Affair in my emails, I knew it was a book I had to read.
I have loved Agatha Christie's work since childhood with memories of me curled up on the couch with a drink, and a blanket watching Miss Marple and later Poiret as they worked out seemingly impossible to work out mysterious murders.
Her work at the time was unlike anything I had known, spoke of a world long since gone and I craved it worse than the best bar of chocolate I could get. That love for Christie's work never went away and I would happily read one of her books or watch a movie or TV adaptation so yes, without a doubt I wanted to read the fictional events of the Agatha Christie disappeared and all that went with it.
I wasn't disappointed.
I loved this book so much although despite it …
When I saw The Christie Affair in my emails, I knew it was a book I had to read.
I have loved Agatha Christie's work since childhood with memories of me curled up on the couch with a drink, and a blanket watching Miss Marple and later Poiret as they worked out seemingly impossible to work out mysterious murders.
Her work at the time was unlike anything I had known, spoke of a world long since gone and I craved it worse than the best bar of chocolate I could get. That love for Christie's work never went away and I would happily read one of her books or watch a movie or TV adaptation so yes, without a doubt I wanted to read the fictional events of the Agatha Christie disappeared and all that went with it.
I wasn't disappointed.
I loved this book so much although despite it being a Christie Affair - it's more the story of Nan who is the main voice of Nina de Gramont's book. Whether some of the events in the book are completely fictional or not, I'm not sure but it is certainly one that makes you truly feel for the woman who fell in love with Colonel Archibald Christie and had an affair with that tore Agatha and his marriage apart.
Nan's life in The Christie Affair pulls on the heartstrings of the reader and of any woman who found themselves at the mercy of the Catholic Church. I shall leave you to imagine why because I'm aware that what I am implying can be triggering for many (including myself and I hadn't known the subject matter would be in this book). Nan is left broken and alone, her heartbroken but with a fierce determination to survive and whilst adultery isn't the best path to take, I cannot blame anyone for falling in love. You can't always predict where your heart will take you after all.
Both fictional Nan and the real Nancy Neele fell in love and it would be a love affair that was one to cause trouble for many. Agatha's approach is to disappear and you can practically feel the weight come off her shoulders through the page as she discovers she can live and be happy without Archie at her side. That Agatha Christie wasn't breakable nor broken and I like to think that was true in her real life too.
Especially having fun again as Agatha and not Mrs Archie Christie or being a mother. She was herself... even for a little bit.
This is a book that you will love if you love Agatha Christie and are curious about her even in the fictional sense. You will also love it purely as historical fiction because de Gramont's writing takes you away brilliantly to numerous times in history as Nan's lifestory is told.
Oh and if you're wondering? Yes Agatha Christie did disappear because Archie was a a** but I don't think she had quite the adventure as she did in this book but I'd like to think she did.
... and Nancy did get her happy ever after too, even if some may think such a scarlet woman shouldn't have.