Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult
By Cakebitch | Posted Under Book Reviews | Comments (19)
I’ve never written a book review before and hope that I can get these 52 done properly. My first book was one with issues … with a capital I. Although, I think my favorite sentence in this entire book is also the first. To me it sets the mood for the book and reflects on so many things throughout.
“I was six years old the first time I disappeared.”
Cordelia (Delia) Hopkins is a 32-year-old woman who does search and rescue with her bloodhound Greta. Her searches are almost always successful and tend to get her written up in the newspaper and online. Raised by her widowed father Andrew, Delia had a happy childhood and had vague memories of her mother, who as she was told, died in a car accident. She remembered her smelling of “apples and vanilla.” They lived alone in Wexton, New Hampshire for as long as she could remember. Her father worked in and later ran a retirement facility and was a town councilman.
Her two neighbors growing up became her best friends and continue to be even after all of these years. Eric Talcott, her fiance, is the father of her pre-school daughter, Sophie, and Fitzwilliam MacMurray (Fitz) formed the other part of their inseparable trio. Eric is now a lawyer, and Fitz a journalist. After talking with Fitz about things that are “Strange but True” Fitz mentions how Delia is extremely afraid of spiders, and says that maybe she was “Little Miss Muffet in a former life.” She then tells him about a memory she has about a lemon tree, one she has never remembered before this. This single conversation ends up turning all of their worlds upside down.
“Vanishing Acts” is written in first person by Delia, Andrew, Eric, and Fitz. Each point of view offers insight into the story you wouldn’t have gotten if it was written differently. I found for myself, it took me about three days to read about 50 some pages. I just wasn’t getting into it. Not in the mood for the kind of book this is, one that makes you think. After sitting down and reading a few more chapters I finally got into it and finished it in one day. I would say if you’re a fan of hers and haven’t read this yet, definitely do so, and if you’re not a fan or have never read her stuff, give it a try.
This review is part of the Cannonball Read series. For more of Cakebitch’s reviews, check out her blog, 52 Weeks is Nothing.
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Comments
Posted by: Jen K at December 18, 2009 8:15 AM
I've read two of her novels (My Sister's Keeper and The Pact), and they both seemed to have a similar set up to eac other, and I guessed the surprise ending ahead of time. Despite that, her writing was engaging enough to keep me reading, and I also finished her novels rather quickly once I got into them.
I figured I'd pick something up from her again eventually, when I either couldn't think of any other books I wanted to read or wanted something that would be a quick read but not completely thoughtless.
Good review; next time I'm in the mood for Picoult, I'll probably pick up this one. Also it sounds like this one might be a little bit different which would be nice since you didn't mention any big court room drama (although there is a lawyer).