Houghton Mifflin, 2007. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.

Synopsis

In the middle of tending to the everyday business at her vintage-clothing shop and sidestepping her married boyfriend’s attempts at commitment, Iris Lockhart receives a stunning phone call: Her great-aunt Esme, whom she never knew existed, is being released from Cauldstone Hospital—where she has been locked away for more than sixty-one years. Iris’s grandmother Kitty always claimed to be an only child. But Esme’s papers prove she is Kitty’s sister, and Iris can see the shadow of her dead father in Esme’s face. Esme has been labeled harmless—sane enough to coexist with the rest of the world. But she's still basically a stranger, a family member never mentioned by the family, and one who is sure to bring life-altering secrets with her when she leaves the ward. If Iris takes her in, what dangerous truths might she inherit? A gothic, intricate tale of family secrets, lost lives, and the freedom brought by truth, The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox will haunt you long past its final page.

Reviews

On Oct 6 2010, Ccqdesigns said:

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.

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Details

Bookseller: ThriftBooks (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: G0151014116I3N10
Title: The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
Author: O'Farrell, Maggie
Format/Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Used - Good
Quantity Available: 4
ISBN 10: 0151014116
ISBN 13: 9780151014118
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Place of Publication: Orlando, Fl
Date Published: 2007

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Glossary

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Spine: The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...