- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Headline Review; New Ed edition (7 April 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747267375
- ISBN-13: 978-0747267379
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 521,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'MISSING is a perceptive and poignant novel exploring the ramifications of loss and abandonment with compassion and a wry, perfectly pitched wit... This is a book about the need to communicate openly and honestly with those we love and the possible consequences of our failure to do so. Stanley writes with a lightness of touch reminiscent of Jonathan Coe - both explore life's darknesses with a gentle humour which encourages understanding of our frailties and fears' (The Big Issue in the North )
'A gripping and mesmerising novel, which twists and turns at every opportunity... Skilfully written with bursts of humour, Stanley weaves a compelling web of deception and intrigue' (Glasgow Evening Times )
'Mary Stanley creates a fascinating story that is full of intrigue with disturbing and dark moments. But there is also a humorous thread running through the tale' (Sunday World, Dublin )
'Touching, intriguing and often humorous' (Sunday Business Post, Dublin )
'Stanley's writing is alive - witty, moving and engrossing... The characters of the three girls are richly portrayed' (The Sunday Times, Malta )
'A gripping and mesmerising novel, which twists and turns at every opportunity... Skilfully written with bursts of humour, Stanley weaves a compelling web of deception and intrigue' (Glasgow Evening Times )
'Mary Stanley creates a fascinating story that is full of intrigue with disturbing and dark moments. But there is also a humorous thread running through the tale' (Sunday World, Dublin )
'Touching, intriguing and often humorous' (Sunday Business Post, Dublin )
'Stanley's writing is alive - witty, moving and engrossing... The characters of the three girls are richly portrayed' (The Sunday Times, Malta )
Sunday World, Dublin
‘Mary Stanley creates a fascinating story that is full of intrigue with disturbing and dark moments’
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Missing by Mary Stanley
In her second novel Mary Stanley tackles that most tricky of subjects: the family.
The seemingly perfect world of the Dunville family is turned upside down by the disappearance of their eldest daughter 'Baby'. In the aftermath of the tragedy the fragile foundations of their family unit are exposed as each of the Dunvilles attempts to come to terms with their loss.
A cleverly crafted tale, Missing is also beautifully written and in it's concentration on family dynamics it deals with issues close to all our hearts. Stanley's themes are dark yet her novel has just the right mix of wit, pathos and humour and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Her beautifully observed, multi-layered characters stay with you long after you have finished the book. Coming from a large family I particularly loved Stanley's unsentimental and insightful view of sibling relationships. Becky and Brona's relationship was so true to life, bickering and jealousy mixed with admiration, love and a need to cling together when things go wrong. I really didn’t want the book to end. Thoroughly recommended.
In her second novel Mary Stanley tackles that most tricky of subjects: the family.
The seemingly perfect world of the Dunville family is turned upside down by the disappearance of their eldest daughter 'Baby'. In the aftermath of the tragedy the fragile foundations of their family unit are exposed as each of the Dunvilles attempts to come to terms with their loss.
A cleverly crafted tale, Missing is also beautifully written and in it's concentration on family dynamics it deals with issues close to all our hearts. Stanley's themes are dark yet her novel has just the right mix of wit, pathos and humour and is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Her beautifully observed, multi-layered characters stay with you long after you have finished the book. Coming from a large family I particularly loved Stanley's unsentimental and insightful view of sibling relationships. Becky and Brona's relationship was so true to life, bickering and jealousy mixed with admiration, love and a need to cling together when things go wrong. I really didn’t want the book to end. Thoroughly recommended.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was a poignant yet enchanting read. The subtle build up of the middle class Dunville family is clever and often humorous. Yet the vulnerability of this fragile, apparently perfectly contented, family entity is so beautifully exposed when one of their daughters slips out of their home one night into the Dublin fog, and fails to return.
How would any reader cope in such a scenario? Of course we don't know, and it would surely affect each family member differently. Stanley deals with all this with a tender starkness which builds in suspense and a clever denouement.
A gripping and absorbing read, with warm perception and deft humour for such tragic circumstance. Irresistibly fascinating.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Missing tells the story of the Dunville Family in 1970's Ireland. From the outside they seem like a model family, but that facade hides devastating secrets that can no longer be surpressed following the disappearance of one of their daughters. There follows the disturbing and uncomfortable story of the family's disintegration. Yet in the midst of this turmoil the remaining daughters hold on to their integrity and hope. Mary Stanley writes beautifully making both events and characters real to her readers. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliantly written
This novel, from an author I have just discovered, is thoroughly enjoyable on every level from the first page. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 2009 by C. Madden
I read this in 24 hours, despite the tiny writing!
Once I'd read just the first paragraph, that was it.. I was hooked, tiny font not off-putting at all.
Even though this book isn't funny, I did laugh out loud. Read more
Even though this book isn't funny, I did laugh out loud. Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2009 by GreenElizabeth
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