The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

A beautifully written and very moving story about a woman who has lost her entire life held in an asylum, for nothing more than being more eccentric and willful than was expected from a young girl of her times. Her life is described through her memories, and those of her sister, clouded by Alzheimers. This story from the past weaves with her current life and that of her only remaining relative. Although many of the story reveals were obvious before they occurred, this didn't matter as the power of the book lay in the depths of the characters. The only disappointment was the ending, where so many threads felt like they were left untied, although that was probably the intention.

This book is a very quick and gripping read. Very good unexpected ending! Particularly of interest to me as I had a great aunt who I didn't know existed until recently that was also packed off to an institution at the same era for nothing more than what was probably PMT!

This is a fabulous read. Labeling it 'sad' is reading only what is on the page. This is not a simple read - it's more of a vignette on family, messy love, and how we can save each other. Beautifully laid out and sparingly filled in.

This was a good (not amazing), quick read of a sad short novel. I enjoyed the premise and structure.

This is the first Magie O'Farrell book have read and I devoured it in about 2 days, it is easy to read and very emotive but I found that I never really engaged with anyone other than Esme. The other characters had very few redeeming features and it felt very unfinished as I turned the last page. That said I did enjoy reading it and would pick up another O'Farrell book next time I'm in the bookshop.

Okay...luckily this was a short book. At times, I was fascinated and loved reading it. In the beginning of the book, I could really notice how well Maggie wrote and described things. Many sentences were so beautiful it was like reading poetry and I could vividly picture the story from the details. What a tortured soul...poor Esme. Other times, I had to re-read parts because it was confusing and I couldn't figure out at first who was speaking. Hated the ending though. Too many unanswered questions. This book could have gone on for many more chapters! Glad I read it as it was a topic new to me and was interesting, however. But it's not a book I would read again as a favorite. Because it's a short book, I do recommend you give it a try. Many people loved it, so if you have a few hours to spare, why not?

Very good - enthralling to read, but like other people, I had to check the ending ! Looking forward to her next one...

A very sad story it certainly made me cry. At first it was hard to get into but worth persevering with, I had to re-read the end just to be sure I had read it right!

It is a page turner, holds your attention to the end with its shocking end. The first I read this author. I am definitely be putting books on hold at the library for this one.

I loved this book. It touched me to the core, so much loss and a really sad series of events places a very bright young girl inside a state mental institution for most of her life. She enters her new life on the outside as a very elderly woman and is placed in the care of her great neice, who never even knew she existed. Together they discover the ugly past and the conventions of the day that lead to a terrible conclusion.