You’ve done an excellent job of shedding light on Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance. The way you explore her challenges and the emotional weight behind her actions offers a new perspective on this pivotal moment. Your writing is clear and informative, making it a joy to read. I, like you, am a big Christie fan, and I think that you can not underestimate the weight she must have felt at that time. Brilliant piece.
Excellent piece as most who wrote about it have looked at it as a mystery like her books. Certainly none I know of did the drive and tried to stand in her shoes. Speculation on my part but I wonder if she thought about the quarry then felt she was stronger than that... She did build a wall around herself as you say, but that was part of that strength. Fortifications to build on. I suspect she may have ended up being the one to leave in later years as she doesn't seem to be one to be constrained. She did things her way but in a circumspect manner that allowed her to do it. As someone in one of her books said about miss Marple: looks sweet but a mind like a steel trap.
Brilliant comments, I agree with you completely.... If one takes the highly autobiographical Unfinished Portrait (Westmacott as of course you will know) as truth then she was indeed suicidal. Love your fortifications image. And I think, yes, she might have got fed up with Archie but never got the chance to reach that point with him....
Thank you for making this interesting post available. I find your account of what happened compelling, entirely convincing psychologically, much more so than others I've read.
Would she have been happier? Let us examine facts, Hercule Poirot way: Archie had been increasingly becoming less to her more. And that is a recipe for disaster. The slower it might have been, the more it would have taken out of her. It, the relationship, was a bandage. The 'disappearance' removed it.
Of course... Isn't it the case when a relationship really matters to one? Getting over anything is complicated, and rarely happens, or if it does, it has already changed one's life. At least, that is my experience!
I think you’d either love it or hate it. She took a few liberties with the story as I recall. It’s always hard when someone fictionalises the story of a real person and invents things in the story that definitely didn’t happen.
Brilliantly written, Laura! Your research and sensitive, compassionate writing of Agatha's life really comes across strongly. I didn't know all of this story, and you relayed it wonderfully. What a remarkable thing to have happened, and how amazing to think of what happened in the aftermath. Bravo! :)
That was thought provoking, thank you. I often wondered about Agatha’s state of mind when she disappeared. Whether it was done in a huge cloud of mental stress about Archie, or she knew exactly what she was doing 🤔….
I can’t believe that happened nearly 100 years ago either.
Thanks so much for reading. It continues to fascinate me - I sometimes wonder whether she herself could have described her state of mind. I do think the loss of her mother was desperate for her and she was unanchored, as it were...
There are so many facets to this story. But one that you brilliantly highlight is the role of the press and the police. They seem to have turned what could have been "Woman Takes Impromtpu Break at Spa" into a national event.
Thank you so much Jeffrey. You're so right. Another detective on the case saw it very clearly but unfortunately the bloke in charge seems to have been loving his moment and determined to prove it was wife-murder (or at least that Agatha had done away with herself). Naturally the press couldn't get enough of it.... Terrible for her, I always think, although there is still the school of thought that she was culpable to some extent. But of course I'm in her corner!
Just endlessly fascinating as always, Laura. I, too, remember seeing "Agatha" with Vanessa Redgrave when I was just a kid and being completely fascinated by the disappearance. In my mind I had always imagined her as wanting to disappear forever (and being caught) - somehow it's infinitely sadder to think that she *wanted* to be discovered.
Oh thanks Jodi! I think she DID want to be found but it's only my theory of course... the idea of wanting to disappear forever is an intriguing one. I think that there may have been an odd pleasure, or relief, in not 'existing' for a while...
Have a great hankering now to see that film again! Seems you can rent it on YouTube.
How brave of you to follow in her footsteps and, while it must have been very frightening, I can see for the first time what must have occurred. A fascinating and illuminating piece of writing.
Oh thank you Deborah! I was just so absorbed in the whole mystery and it seemed like a good thing to do - very vivid experience. The thought that Agatha did it for real, as it were, is extraordinary.
Brilliantly done - your idea of driving in her wake was inspired; the kind of aperçu that only comes from stepping away from the jigsaw puzzle. But, God, it's sad.
It has always seemed so tragic to me, and you capture the hopelessness of Agatha's position very well. How many women have toyed with the idea of doing something dramatic that will bring a lost lover back to them, full of remorse? Usually in youth, but AC was a young woman then, and a woman in the middle of loss of her mother. If only we could know for sure...but I think you have a clear view of it, Laura, and most likely the correct one. I enjoyed reading this. I think I shall get the biography (yours) down from the shelf and re-read.
You're so right - I find it all just heartbreaking - the loss of her mother alone was almost unbearable to her. The Westmacott novel Unfinished Portrait expresses that so agonizingly.
My theory makes sense to me although it is of course exactly that, a theory... and all still very fascinating to consider - such a lot that can never quite be explained.
So glad you enjoyed and that you're feeling better!
Such an informative piece here Laura, oh how I love your deep dive into Agatha's emotional and psychological state, that yearning for Archie, I hung on every word. When I read your Agatha biography, she'd never felt more alive to me than she did then. Thank you so much for sharing this, I truly loved it!
You’ve done an excellent job of shedding light on Agatha Christie's mysterious disappearance. The way you explore her challenges and the emotional weight behind her actions offers a new perspective on this pivotal moment. Your writing is clear and informative, making it a joy to read. I, like you, am a big Christie fan, and I think that you can not underestimate the weight she must have felt at that time. Brilliant piece.
Such a wonderful comment. Thank you Jon, thrilled to read this from you.
Not at all, it really is a wonderful piece.
Excellent piece as most who wrote about it have looked at it as a mystery like her books. Certainly none I know of did the drive and tried to stand in her shoes. Speculation on my part but I wonder if she thought about the quarry then felt she was stronger than that... She did build a wall around herself as you say, but that was part of that strength. Fortifications to build on. I suspect she may have ended up being the one to leave in later years as she doesn't seem to be one to be constrained. She did things her way but in a circumspect manner that allowed her to do it. As someone in one of her books said about miss Marple: looks sweet but a mind like a steel trap.
Brilliant comments, I agree with you completely.... If one takes the highly autobiographical Unfinished Portrait (Westmacott as of course you will know) as truth then she was indeed suicidal. Love your fortifications image. And I think, yes, she might have got fed up with Archie but never got the chance to reach that point with him....
Thanks so much for reading and responding!
Thank you for making this interesting post available. I find your account of what happened compelling, entirely convincing psychologically, much more so than others I've read.
That's very lovely to hear Jodie. Means a lot! Thank you.
Would she have been happier? Let us examine facts, Hercule Poirot way: Archie had been increasingly becoming less to her more. And that is a recipe for disaster. The slower it might have been, the more it would have taken out of her. It, the relationship, was a bandage. The 'disappearance' removed it.
Interesting take on it. Thank you Maria! I think you are right. Although her suffering (from the removal of the bandage) was immense and lifelong.
Of course... Isn't it the case when a relationship really matters to one? Getting over anything is complicated, and rarely happens, or if it does, it has already changed one's life. At least, that is my experience!
Loved reading this and found your thoughts absolutely fascinating, thank you Laura.
I first read about the break up of Agatha’s marriage and her disappearance, in the novel ‘The Christie Affair’ by Nina de Gramont.
Thank YOU!
I haven't tried that novel although I like the premise - worth a read do you think?
I think you’d either love it or hate it. She took a few liberties with the story as I recall. It’s always hard when someone fictionalises the story of a real person and invents things in the story that definitely didn’t happen.
Ah - thanks. Intrigued at least to try it!
Marvelous biography.
Thank you so much! Hugely appreciated
Brilliantly written, Laura! Your research and sensitive, compassionate writing of Agatha's life really comes across strongly. I didn't know all of this story, and you relayed it wonderfully. What a remarkable thing to have happened, and how amazing to think of what happened in the aftermath. Bravo! :)
Oh Kate you are so generous, thank you! It IS truly remarkable, one understands how it marked her for life.
Thanks too for the lovely restack - always appreciated.
That was thought provoking, thank you. I often wondered about Agatha’s state of mind when she disappeared. Whether it was done in a huge cloud of mental stress about Archie, or she knew exactly what she was doing 🤔….
I can’t believe that happened nearly 100 years ago either.
Thanks so much for reading. It continues to fascinate me - I sometimes wonder whether she herself could have described her state of mind. I do think the loss of her mother was desperate for her and she was unanchored, as it were...
Absolutely wonderful, Laura.
There are so many facets to this story. But one that you brilliantly highlight is the role of the press and the police. They seem to have turned what could have been "Woman Takes Impromtpu Break at Spa" into a national event.
Thank you so much Jeffrey. You're so right. Another detective on the case saw it very clearly but unfortunately the bloke in charge seems to have been loving his moment and determined to prove it was wife-murder (or at least that Agatha had done away with herself). Naturally the press couldn't get enough of it.... Terrible for her, I always think, although there is still the school of thought that she was culpable to some extent. But of course I'm in her corner!
Again thanks for your kind words and the restack.
Thank you so much, Laura. I adore Agatha and loved your brilliantly written and compassionate account of those missing days.
Thank YOU! I do feel such compassion for her... so glad you enjoyed.
Just endlessly fascinating as always, Laura. I, too, remember seeing "Agatha" with Vanessa Redgrave when I was just a kid and being completely fascinated by the disappearance. In my mind I had always imagined her as wanting to disappear forever (and being caught) - somehow it's infinitely sadder to think that she *wanted* to be discovered.
Oh thanks Jodi! I think she DID want to be found but it's only my theory of course... the idea of wanting to disappear forever is an intriguing one. I think that there may have been an odd pleasure, or relief, in not 'existing' for a while...
Have a great hankering now to see that film again! Seems you can rent it on YouTube.
Fascinating! Thank you for putting together the pieces of the puzzle for your readers.
Thank you for reading! So glad Kerri that you enjoyed
How brave of you to follow in her footsteps and, while it must have been very frightening, I can see for the first time what must have occurred. A fascinating and illuminating piece of writing.
Oh thank you Deborah! I was just so absorbed in the whole mystery and it seemed like a good thing to do - very vivid experience. The thought that Agatha did it for real, as it were, is extraordinary.
This is the first time I have read a convincing explanation. She must have been in such a distressed state.
Brilliantly done - your idea of driving in her wake was inspired; the kind of aperçu that only comes from stepping away from the jigsaw puzzle. But, God, it's sad.
It really is. And her daughter lived with the fallout always. These events and their reverberations...
Thank you WTRI for your kind words, always mean such a lot but especially so with this!!!!
It has always seemed so tragic to me, and you capture the hopelessness of Agatha's position very well. How many women have toyed with the idea of doing something dramatic that will bring a lost lover back to them, full of remorse? Usually in youth, but AC was a young woman then, and a woman in the middle of loss of her mother. If only we could know for sure...but I think you have a clear view of it, Laura, and most likely the correct one. I enjoyed reading this. I think I shall get the biography (yours) down from the shelf and re-read.
This is lovely, thank you.
You're so right - I find it all just heartbreaking - the loss of her mother alone was almost unbearable to her. The Westmacott novel Unfinished Portrait expresses that so agonizingly.
My theory makes sense to me although it is of course exactly that, a theory... and all still very fascinating to consider - such a lot that can never quite be explained.
So glad you enjoyed and that you're feeling better!
My pleasure, and thank you, I am feeling better.
It's a very plausible theory...I think more likely than the 'fugue state' theory.
Such an informative piece here Laura, oh how I love your deep dive into Agatha's emotional and psychological state, that yearning for Archie, I hung on every word. When I read your Agatha biography, she'd never felt more alive to me than she did then. Thank you so much for sharing this, I truly loved it!
That is really kind and means a great deal, thank you.
Here's to Agatha on her birthday, still fascinating us!