This isn't my usual kind of book if I'm honest. Very character-driven, and reflective. At first it didn't grab me, but I'm glad I persevered as I came to be completely immersed in Celia's story. I found her charming in her innocence. It almost felt like reading her journal. The writing is very good, as you would expect, and despite the subject matter I did find myself laughing at a turn of phrase or anecdote. It took me completely by surprise how much I wanted to pick up the book again (though I did find myself waiting for Poirot to appear in the drawing room). I may have been frustrated at times at character choices, but it just felt raw, human, and honest. A believable fiction that had me hoping for the best for Celia (aka Agatha from what I've seen).

 

Unfinished Portrait is one of the six novels Agatha wrote under the pen name Mary Westmacott. It's not a crime novel, but is the life story of a woman named Celia and what brought her to the scene of desperation that begins the novel. There are some slow spots in the beginning. As much as I like the character of "Grannie", the chapter that focuses on Celia's time staying there took me a while to get through. 

For the most part, however, this is an engaging, but sometimes depressing story. It's especially sad since when you know it's semi-autobiographical and Agatha's second husband Max Mallowan confirms in a quote on the book cover that, "In Celia we have more nearly than anywhere else a portrait of Agatha." If Agatha's life with her first husband Archie was anything like Celia's marriage to the self-centered Dermot, then I really admire her for getting past those rough years to start a new life with Max. I'm glad I read the book but prefer Christie's mysteries to the Mary Westmacott novels.