The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Book Review

Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox BOOK SYNOPSIS

A family drama written as an unfolding mystery spanning early 20th century ethics through present time. An Idealistic woman, Iris, finds herself in charge of her great-aunt Esme whom she never knew existed. When Esme is released from 61 years in a mental institution, hidden family secrets unravel. Maggie O'Farrell writes of lost lives, jealousy, and betrayal within families.

QUEENIE B SAYS

20th Century women in mental institutions - wow! This book is 2-fold for me.

The subject matter is utterly engrossing, sad, and unbelievable. Once again I'm reading a story of the despicable state of mental institutions and the way women were dealt with during the 20th century, mentally ill or not, but committed none the less! These were normal women only more progressive for their time, meaning they were not traditional subservient girls. I felt total dismay over the abdominal treatment of women over matters of simple attitudes towards marriage, men, careers, premarital sex and the expected behavior of the Era. Families could commit their women into mental institutions for life with only a signature from a doctor! Reading this reminded me of two other books I've read, My Lobotomy and One Thousand White Women, because all deal with unfair treatment to a person under the guise of being "crazy."

Esme was committed for wearing her mother's negligee and dancing in the mirror, wanting to continue school after 16 years old, and not wanting to get married. As fate should have it she was raped and ended up pregnant much to her own surprise. Because of this she is assumed to be a promiscuous female. She ends up in the crazy bin for 61 YEARS! SAD! It’s abuse as far as I'm concerned and it makes me uncomfortable.

Lives un-lived. How many women's lives were taken away from them for nothing other then being outgoing or outspoken? I surely would have been committed!

The actual reading of The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox was very confusing for me. It was like reading a schizophrenic in the 3rd person. One sentence present day, the next back in time, jumping from one character to another, and then not really understanding who was talking. I know that's the point of stream of consciousness writing but I just didn't like it.

I hated the end. I wanted conclusion as a reader and didn't get it at all. There was no affirmation between the main characters. I'm not sure what even happened. I had to go back and reread it 3 times before I even thought I understood and even still, I'm not sure I did. I was unsatisfied!

Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Do you think Kitty's husband was gay?
2. Did Esme get justice in the end?
3. Do we in this civilized, 21st century label things we deem as abnormal - insane? Are these just our standards now that could quite possibly be totally normal 100 years from now?