The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

This is one of the best books I have read in many months. probably this year. Esme is sent to an asylum on her 16th birthday for her hysterics and for what her sister tells the doctors to get her out of the way. And remains there for 61 years just to keep her out of the way of the family sins. When the asylum closes, her great niece is called to come take her home and family secrets start to unravel. This was a system in England in a time when a husband or father could just lock up a wife or dau ...more This is one of the best books I have read in many months. probably this year. Esme is sent to an asylum on her 16th birthday for her hysterics and for what her sister tells the doctors to get her out of the way. And remains there for 61 years just to keep her out of the way of the family sins. When the asylum closes, her great niece is called to come take her home and family secrets start to unravel. This was a system in England in a time when a husband or father could just lock up a wife or daughter that was not wanted or was acting as expected. And they would be left there forever. This is a must read. The story is revealed in pieces from the 4 different characters at different times in their lives through memories, dreams and current times. There is a constant tension to the writing, a constant tension to the story.