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The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

Author: Maggie O'farrell
Publisher: Headline Review
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

63 reviews
Sales Rank: 546

Media: Paperback
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.8 x 0.9

ISBN: 0755308441
EAN: 9780755308446
ASIN: 0755308441

Publication Date: May 17, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
•	Hardcover - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
•	Audio CD - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
•	CD-ROM - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
•	Hardcover - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (Readers Circle)
•	Paperback - The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

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Customer Reviews: Read 58 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

abit of a let down July 6, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I had heard that this book was a brilliant read, this is true. However, it is quite difficult to determine which character is speaking sometimes and found that the relationship between Iris, Alex and Luke was completely pointless, it has no effect on the story whatsoever. I guessed the twist in the story very early on and was on the edge of my seat waiting for another - it never came. I found the ending hurried and abit vague. I was left dissapointed, with a sense of not understanding what had happened. Nevertheless it is a very good read, that will have you reading page after page. It is a moving and poignant read.

4 out of 5 stars

Gripping but vague in places. June 15, 2008
I actually enjoyed reading this and felt very sad for the character of Esme Lennox. It was certainly a page turner and kept me engaged throughout. My only complaints were that the ending seemed a bit hurried and that the sub plot involving Iris, Luke and Alex was not really necessary or needed as the novel would have been better had it been fully focused on Esme.

Although I have a couple of criticisms about the book, it was definitely a page turner and is worth reading.

4 out of 5 stars

Very moving read June 2, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is a very moving and sad story of a lady, Esme, who is put into an institution by her family, and spends over sixty years of her life there. She only seems to be able to leave in the end because the place is being closed down.
The tale tells of little incidents during her childhood which her family frowned upon, when really she was just an expressive, inquisitive child who wanted something different for herself than being married off and having to put on all the airs and graces of her class. And for this she is punished by her cold family, who send her to be locked away. All those years later enter Iris, who didn't know of Esme's existence.

Intermingled with remembrances of the past, the story tells of the new relationship formed between Iris and Esme, and those around them. For me, an interesting parallel was drawn between the characteristics of the too of them.
It is not a very long read, and I think it was just perfect at the length it is. Very well written and unputdownable, thought-provoking and tragic.

So sad to think that this situation was a reality for many women too in times gone by?
I have read one previous novel by Maggie O'Farrell which I think I enjoyed but it wasn't terribly memorable. I think she has dramatically improved her writing with this book.

2 out of 5 stars

Slow, Slow, Slow. April 22, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful

My mum leant me this book raving about how good it was - but unfortunately after struggling to finish it, I have to disagree.
I found it so slow and hard-going. Shame because I think Maggie O'Farrell could have written a far more descriptive, insightfull, imaginative cracker given the subject matter.
I expected to end up feeling so sorry for Esme and thought the book might be a real eye-opener, but unfortunately not. It evoked no emotion in me at all.
Would give it a miss.

5 out of 5 stars

Stunningly poignant March 8, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The best book I have read for a very long time.

In the early 80s as a student nurse I came across an elderly female patient who had not spoken for 50 plus years at what was then Tooting Bec psychiatric hospital. It was said that she had been put in there by her parents having become pregnant at the age of 16 (& outside marriage) so this beautifully written story hit a particular nerve. What had become of her baby, no one said.