Would you think it possible that there would be a disagreement on Facebook about whether a SPAM ACCOUNT should be allowed to stay in a group? I know people can fight about nearly anything, but I would not have expected that one. And yet here we are. I’m in a Facebook group for residents of my town; there are some “members” that are not in fact people but are actually those revolting fake accounts that post nasty links; and when I suggested the administrator remove those fake accounts from the group, a man explained to me that “all I had to do” was “just” block the account, and then I wouldn’t have to see the links. THANK YOU OH WISE ONE. Yes, yes I DO realize I can make those fake accounts invisible to me, and that each and every one of the members of our group can do the same! But does it not make MORE SENSE to REMOVE THE FAKE ACCOUNTS from the group in which they DO NOT BELONG? JEEpers. So now people (including me) are arguing about it.
Anyway, I started out a little riled up, because I just finished this book:
(screen shot from Amazon.com)
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, by Maggie O’Farrell. I almost didn’t check it out, because the cover of the hardcover version, which is what my library has, did not look promising. But the author had several books on the shelf, and that meant that if I liked THIS book I’d have more books to try, and I was having one of those library trips where nothing looks good, and the plot sounded okay, so I took it.
I was annoyed for about the first 30-40 pages, because I dislike scrambling to figure out what on EARTH is going on. But the writing quality seemed good, so I gave it 50 pages—and by then I was starting to get my footing, and wasn’t annoyed anymore, and was only feeling the pleasant suspenseful feeling that makes me want to get back to a book when I’m away from it.
There are a lot of ISSUES in this book. That is, some people find certain issues upsetting, and this book contains an unusual number of access points for those upsetting feelings. But it isn’t the kind of book where I can warn you without spoiling the plot. I suppose if there are certain subjects that, if you were to encounter them in a book, you’d experience trauma, it would be better not to risk this book—or to find a spoiler online that can tell you more about it. Or you can email me and say “Does it deal with THIS subject?”
I was not so upset by anything that I wished I hadn’t read it. I found the issues upsetting, but not traumatizing—and interesting enough to be worth the upset. I had a particular interest in the character who saw things through an Alzheimer’s lens: it gave me more insight into some of my clients.
I wish there had been MORE of it. That is, I would LOVE a sequel. I also wish the ending had been a little different. But I definitely want to read more by this author. (Especially if there were a sequel.)
I read this one some time ago, and my recollection was that it was difficult to get into, and then I really enjoyed the middle, and after it was done I felt a little settled and maybe disappointed, that there was a point it switched from almost being a really good book, to being an almost really good book. I think I read it pregnant with my first kid though, where I was generally unsettled and disappointed. I should read it again.
Unsettled, not settled!
No, I agree with your assessment. That is, even though I read it and really liked it, it IS unsettling, and the ending is not quite as I might have hoped.
Swistle, I am so disappointed that you would try to impinge on the Constitutional rights of that spam bot. So. Disappointed.
On another note, I do appreciate your book reviews – so nice that I can see that title and know not to pick it up.
I’m guessing you have already read Still Alice? Your comment about the character with Alzheimers made me think of that book. I enjoyed it and don’t THINK you would find it too upsetting…I thought is was well-written and enlightening.
I started it around the time it came out, but didn’t like it. Now that I’m doing this job, though, I have it on my reading list again.
Maggie O’Farrell is one of my favorite authors! I highly recommend The Hand That First Held Mine. The book is written in a dual timeline and I love the names of the characters.
Try to get the hardcover with the vellum dust jacket; it is beautiful!
Have you read Elizabeth is missing? It’s narrated by a character with Alzheimers, pretty well done. It’s upsetting in parts but mostly well written.
My mother read that, and said I HAD to read it, so that if she got Alzheimer’s I would know to give her a morphine overdose. So I passed on it. But now I might read it for this job!