56 pages • 1 hour read
Maggie O'FarrellThe Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell interweaves the stories of Esme Lennox, who is released from a psychiatric institution after sixty years, and her niece Iris, who learns of her existence and takes her in. Set between colonial India and present-day Scotland, the novel explores themes of memory, family secrets, and the impact of societal norms on women's lives. The book includes sensitive topics such as child death, demonization of mental illness, and sexual assault of a teenage girl.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Maggie O'Farrell's The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox captivates with its evocative prose and intricate narrative, blending past and present seamlessly. Readers praise its emotional depth and complex characters. However, some find the dual timelines occasionally confusing. Overall, it’s a compelling, haunting story about family secrets and identity.
Who Should Read The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox?
Readers who would enjoy The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell are typically fans of complex family dynamics, historical secrets, and psychological depth. Comparable to readers of Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and Emma Donoghue's Room. Ideal for those who appreciate multi-generational narratives with a touch of mystery.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
British Literature
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Gender / Feminism
Psychology
Relationships: Family
Emotions/Behavior: Grief
Emotions/Behavior: Guilt