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Vanishing Acts | 
 enlarge | Author: Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Atria Books
Category: Book
Buy Used: £19.04
Used (6) from £19.04
Rating:  44 reviews
Format: Large Print
Media: Hardcover
Edition: Lrg
Pages: 624
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.8 x 6.4 x 1.5
ISBN: 0743267648
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780743267649
ASIN: 0743267648
Publication Date: April 19, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition. Ships from United States, Please allow 10-15 business days for delivery.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 Disappointing all-round May 9, 2008
Elizabeth Taylor (France)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've read other books by Jodi Picoult and find she has an easy to read writing style and normally the subject matter relates to intense feelings between individuals, however, this is not best book I've read by the author as it didn't keep me engaged.
The story itself involves a daughter and the arrest of her father which leads to a court case. The two other protagonists are her childhood male chums one of whom she has a child by and is about to marry - not forgetting her bloodhound. Each chapter is told by one of the above individuals (excluding the dog) and as each chapter unfolds we learn a little more about the relationships, the dirty secrets and the developing court case. This is a method employed in many detective novels and normally is very effective.
The problem in this instance though is that the story itself is not realistic, the characters are just not sympathetic so as the story advances you end up not really caring what happens to any of them. I thought the plot turns were heavy, the individuals themselves all selfish and frankly not very likeable. The court case was the best part of the book but ultimately you don't care what happens to any of the characters except the dog. So if you have never read this novelist before I recommend purchasing one of her other books as this may put you off someone who can be an interesting writer.
slightly disappointed May 5, 2008
L. M. Satherley (Bristol)
this is the second Jodi Picoult book i have read (the first was My Sister's Keeper - brilliant!) and i kind of wished i hadn't bothered. the idea was good and it started off well but it felt like it was dragged out too long, i was bored by the end. also, i did not find the change of character of Andrew very convincing - first he is loving father/pillar of the community then he is taking part in criminal activities. i was expecting that this would be a bit of a tear-jerker (as with My Sister's Keeper) but that was not the case. it was better than some things i have read, but to be honest if you have a choice between this and something else, go for something else or you may be left disappointed.
 The weakest Picoult I have read March 24, 2008
Mrs. Erica Edwards (Scotland, UK)
Jodi Picoult is a fantastic author but this novel does not do her justice. I was pleased to finish it and get onto something else (actually read it on my honeymoon and it was the one thing which grated during my perfect two weeks!)
I just don't think that the characterisation was strong enough or the story intricate enough.
Read The Pact, Salem Falls and My Sister's Keeper, as I can't recommend these novels enough.
 Do not be turned off by other comments... January 12, 2008
Selly (United Kingdom)
I understand that other peoples comments may be a turn off to buy this book, but here me out on this one.
Vanishing Acts was the first book that I read by Jodi without knowing anything about the author or her previous books. Because I hadn't read anything else before by Jodi meant that I had no expectations, so I definitely wasn't let down like some of the other readers were.
Her writing style as a whole is completely independant compared to other authors, so that in itself was a pleasant change. The story line may not have touched "sensitive" nerves like some of Jodi's others books have, but with this book it wasn't necessary as it was more of the struggle of fake identity rather than some kind of death.
I think this book is still worth the read.
 Rubbish January 1, 2008
Anna M (Belfast, Ireland)
This book is absolute rubbish consisting of crass, poorly thought out metaphors and irritating, repetitive turns of phrase. Picoult attempts to use Native American culture as a vehicle for profound insight into the modern condition; she fails pathetically. She does, however, succeed in 'otherising' a minority group that exists on the margins of American society by portraying them as exotic and different without ever giving Ruthann, the character that represents them, a voice. I chose this book as I wanted some light Christmas reading. I persisted as I became vaguely interested in the plot. But what had the potential to be developed into something thought provoking and absorbing seemed more like a dreary written-for-television movie that one might just about tolerate if one was off work with a heavy head cold and severe sinus pain. Why, you justifiably ask, did I continue reading? With all that great literature out there, why indeed? I will not waste another precious reading minute with any of Jodi Picoult's offerings.
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