Heartbreaking story of a life denied

What is the worst thing you can do to another human being? Esme experiences a number of horrors made worse still by the fact they have been inflicted by her family and the people who are supposed to love her. In this short book, Maggie O'Farrell manages to weave an intimate and intriguing story of three family generations and the secrets that lurk in their background. The characters are vividly written and their stories are gripping and believable. This is an emotional book, but the pathos is not overdone and the ending is stark and believable. Daniella Nardini reads this beautifully and the production makes use of clever techniques to convey real and imagined voices. I don't believe anybody can ever achieve true closure but the conclusion was as close as it can probably ever get.

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5 people found this helpful

One of the best audio books for a long time!

Loved it and wish more audio books could be as absorbing. Although one knows this sort of situation was more common a couple of generations ago, Maggie O Farrell has bought this harrowing tale of two sisters to life. Thought provoking, a story that will remain with me for some time.

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Gripping, immersive but oh so difficult

There were times when I felt so sad I didn't think I could listen anymore but I had to know the story and how it ended. A difficult listen but oh so worthwhile.

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A very special book

My first Maggie O'Farrell book and won't be the last! An emotional rollercoaster of a story. Topped off by a great performance by Daniella Nardini. Highly recommended

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Glad to be modern

This is a woman's book. I don't mean this in a derogatory way, but any woman would be gripped by the appalling and sad story of Esme. This book is a little slow to start, but once the characters are established, it is fascinating to compare the lives of women born 50 years apart, and Daniela Nardini is excellent at delivering the changing voices of the different generations. The story unfolds slowly through snippets of conversation until everything falls into place. Clever and thought-provoking.

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8 people found this helpful

Shocking and heartbreaking

Difficult at first with constant time change but intoxicating novel. A book to remember

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The best audiobook I have ever listened to

Superb performance makes this audio version more gripping and compelling than the book itself. Fantastic, moving and unfortunately believable story.

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Brilliant and unforgettable

Would you consider the audio edition of The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox to be better than the print version?

Beautifully read and performed - really added to the story in a way that the print version would not have.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot was very clever and intricate, with lots of unexpected twists and turns!

What about Daniella Nardini’s performance did you like?

Her voice could be both calm and gentle for one character, as well as angry, accusatory, distraught... She was amazing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found it hard to stop listening - didn't want to tear myself away but the presence of young children tend to prevent me from listening in one sitting!

Any additional comments?

One of the best audiobooks we have bought in a long time. Will definitely be buying more from Maggie O'Farrell.

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4 people found this helpful

knocked sideways

I am still living in this superbly narrated book. I am sure it is one of those books that gains from being listened to, rather than read. It is a complex story that gradually unfolds, completely drawing the listener in. It is delicately written and so believable, horrifying with what happened in women's lives in the past. We have, thankfully, come a long way since those days. Be prepared to weep buckets.

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Simply shocking

I found myself feeling both saddened and angry by Esme's plight in this reasonably fast paced novel ... condemned by her family because she was a bit "different" in her view of the world she was born into.
With audio books, the narration is of paramount importance and, I have to say, I found Daniela Nardini's narration quite powerful, particularly in her portrayal of the demented mind of Kitty as she recounted her part in her sister's historical maltreatment whilst navigating her way through her own current battle with Alzheimer's.
I was slightly disappointed by the ending but I'm not sure how else it could have been left.
Well worth taking time to read and, I would imagine, a great book group choice for the many areas of discussion it alerts.

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