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Review
'Actually unputdownable, written with charge and energy and a kind of compelling drive, a clarity and a gripping dramatic insidiousness reminiscent of classic Daphne du Maurier'
(Ali Smith )'O'Farrell's subtlety and delicate touch have never been so finely demonstrated'
(Independent on Sunday )'Mesmerisingly good'
(Daily Mail )'O'Farrell's story-telling skills ensure that this novel is compulsively readable, and delivers strong emotional punch'
(Telegraph )Review
'Actually unputdownable, written with charge and energy and a kind of compelling drive, a clarity and a gripping dramatic insidiousness reminiscent of classic Daphne du Maurier' -- Ali Smith 'O'Farrell's subtlety and delicate touch have never been so finely demonstrated' -- Independent on Sunday 'Mesmerisingly good' -- Daily Mail 'O'Farrell's story-telling skills ensure that this novel is compulsively readable, and delivers strong emotional punch' -- Telegraph
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 102 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have previously read another Maggie O'Farrell, and loved her gentle narrative, so thought "The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox" would be the perfect holiday read. The book contains a bit of everything, intrigue, love, sadness and even some humour, and tells of the huge betrayal of Esme Lennox by her sister, and the susbsequent consequences. I loved the portrayal of Esme as a quirky, rebellious character fighting against the typical expectations of her family, and enjoyed hearing the story from several different angels, that of Esme herself, her sister, and her newly found relative. The whole tale builds up to a climatic finale, which left a slightly disturbing flavour, but is befitting and not out of line with the rest of the book. Overall, a highly recommended read.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is the first Maggie O'Farrell book I've read and I loved it. Will definitely be reading more of her in the future.
I loved this book. I whizzed through it in a weekend it was so unputdownable. Although the author's writing style is kept very simple and the story is revealed through minimum facts, there is still something about it that really made me empathise with Esme. I felt genuinely moved by the loss of her life to a mental institution. it was such a heart-wrenching read in that respect. I thought the characterisation of Esme was fabulous - one of the best female characters I've read for a long time. I think Iris and A;ex were slightly weaker characters and I think the author could have done a bit more to develop them.
I agree with what another reader has said on here that the book does leave you wanting more. Although I respect O'Farrell for giving the author the benefit of the doubt to fill in the gaps in the story that she has left, I would also have liked a bit more 'padding out' - especially regarding Esme's incarceration. However, despite this, it was still a wonderful read. I would urge anyone to read it!!
I loved this book. I whizzed through it in a weekend it was so unputdownable. Although the author's writing style is kept very simple and the story is revealed through minimum facts, there is still something about it that really made me empathise with Esme. I felt genuinely moved by the loss of her life to a mental institution. it was such a heart-wrenching read in that respect. I thought the characterisation of Esme was fabulous - one of the best female characters I've read for a long time. I think Iris and A;ex were slightly weaker characters and I think the author could have done a bit more to develop them.
I agree with what another reader has said on here that the book does leave you wanting more. Although I respect O'Farrell for giving the author the benefit of the doubt to fill in the gaps in the story that she has left, I would also have liked a bit more 'padding out' - especially regarding Esme's incarceration. However, despite this, it was still a wonderful read. I would urge anyone to read it!!
55 of 57 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have to start this review with a warning: if you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down until you've finished. Nothing else will get done - you won't be able to answer the phone, cook a meal, pick up your emails, anything. You'll just have to sit there, stuck to your chair, and keep on reading.
This is the story of a woman put into an asylum for doing nothing more than trying on some of her mother's clothes and refusing to cut her hair. Not the behaviour of an insane person but the normal things a teenager does. But Esme has been born into a repressive, pre-Second-Worl-War society and so any slight rebellion is seen as a sign of an unsound mind.
It is a brilliant, evocative, moving book. I cried about four times, especially towards the end. It moves back and forth from the 1930s to the present-day Edinburgh. Esme's niece, Iris, is called to the asylum to meet the great-aunt she never knew she had. At first she's reluctant to have anything to do with her but then she gets caught up in the mystery that is Esme Lennox...
I can't find the words to recommend this book enough. BUY IT. IT'S GREAT!
This is the story of a woman put into an asylum for doing nothing more than trying on some of her mother's clothes and refusing to cut her hair. Not the behaviour of an insane person but the normal things a teenager does. But Esme has been born into a repressive, pre-Second-Worl-War society and so any slight rebellion is seen as a sign of an unsound mind.
It is a brilliant, evocative, moving book. I cried about four times, especially towards the end. It moves back and forth from the 1930s to the present-day Edinburgh. Esme's niece, Iris, is called to the asylum to meet the great-aunt she never knew she had. At first she's reluctant to have anything to do with her but then she gets caught up in the mystery that is Esme Lennox...
I can't find the words to recommend this book enough. BUY IT. IT'S GREAT!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very enjoyable
I was given this book at the recent World Book night, I had not read any Maggie O'Farrell before. I didn't know what to expect but thoroughly enjoyed the book. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mrs. S. East
Unexpected Joy to Read
World Book Night gifted my wife with a book. 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' sat next to our front door for a couple of nights before I decided to have a look at it. Read more
Published 27 days ago by P. Baldowski
A thought provoking read.
I've never read a Maggie O'Farrell book before and to be honest I would never normally have picked this up. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Opus
Intriguing Tale
I saw this title in the Book Night list and realised it must be good if so many people had voted for it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Susiesue
A touching tale, told not without some annoying traits
This novel is based on a plot so much like that of Sebastian Barry's 'The Secret Scripture' (published after 'Esme'), that it invites comparison and loses on almost every count. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Glilla Bear
Awesome
I have never read a book by Maggie O'Farrell before - this one was my book group's choice of the month. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Louise Gillett
Missing epigraph in the Kindle edition!
Why did the Kindle edition think it acceptable to omit the epigraph from the front of the book?. The two pieces of text (Emily Dickinson and Edith Wharton) give much insight to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Casey
The Oddbod they called her...
It took a while to decide who was speaking in some of the extended memory sequences, which began by rather irritating me, but which I ended up thoroughly appreciating, even to the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Eileen Shaw
One of my all time favourite novels - brilliant, in every way.
I read this a couple of years ago, and when I saw it featured under a recent purchase I remembered what a stunningly beautiful novel this was. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kindledays
Wonderful read!
I'd read 'The Hand That First Held Mine' on holiday (first book I've ever brought back with me) and wondered if some holiday magic had attached itself to it and that I might not... Read more
Published 4 months ago by shipsatsea
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