Vanishing Acts: A Novel [Paperback]

Friday, April 6, 2012

Vanishing Acts: A Novel [Paperback]

Product Details

Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Washington Square Press; X edition (November 15, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743454553
ISBN-13: 978-0743454551
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

By : Jodi Picoult
Price : $10.88
You Save : $5.12 (32%)

Customer Reviews

I have read many of Ms. Picoult's novels and I always find them to be both provocative and enjoyable. She is not afraid to tackle big issues that are surrounded by shades of gray, and her characters always live in the everyday but wrestle with life-shattering challenges.
VANISHING ACTS has a similar format to all of the other novels of hers that I've read, with a story that resolves itself as the characters debate a moral issue in a courtroom. But this story is strong and works well laid over Ms. Picoult's standard structure.
Delia Hopkins, the main character who's in her early 30's, learns that the beloved father who has raised her actually kidnapped her as a young girl. She was taken away from her mother in Arizona, given a new identity, told that her mother was dead, and then grew up with no memories of any of her life before they moved to New Hampshire. The secret comes out, and Delia now must come to terms with what her father has done and with the still-living mother she never knew. Delia is a mother herself, now, and she spends much of the novel reconciling her own hurt and anger over being taken away with her perspective as a mother who'd do anything to protect her child. Toss in Delia's fiance (a lawyer) and her male best friend (a reporter) who both have strong interests in the legal case, and you have the main love triangle that drives the story.
This was a fast-paced, compelling read. There were a few sections that I thought slowed things down (most of the story of the father in prison) but Ms. Picoult also managed to weave in a nice element of Native American mythology through the Arizona setting.

This is just an opinion, not a review. This book got on my nerves BIG TIME. First of all, Delia was just a whiny twit. I did not like her at all. And then all the sappy, goofy lines I know this is not a good example, as it would be better understood in the context of the chapter, but this one bugged me:
I haven't blamed her for not loving me. But here's where Sophie is wrong: It's not because I don't want to hurt Delia's feelings.
(new paragraph...big news...roll drums!) It's because when she is bruised, I'm the one who aches.
Wah, wah, wha...let me play my violin. Who cares? I don't get Delia at ALL -- or why these two guys are so enamored with her.
The whole Ruthann/Hopi village thing was a waste of time. I skipped it - and didn't miss a beat with the rest of the story. Boring, boring, boring. Oh, and Crazy Ol' Ruthann and her "humorous barbies" Whatever. I got that email over 6 years ago. Why would the author pass off an old recycled joke like that (http://www.joke-archives.com/oddsends/barbieat40.html)
I did like Andrew's character, though, and do agree he did the right thing.
To be fair, I did read Jodi P's 'Plain Truth' and it was a good read. I guess I won't give up on her yet and try 'Sister's Keeper', which a few people on these reviews have recommended.