A friend once told me that Jodi Picoult is one of authors that you can only read one of their books at a time. The problem with that is Jodi Picoult writes so well that after one book I feel like I need more.
I have read many Jodi Picoult books in the past. Her books are almost a forbidden fruit for a teenage girl. They are definitely adult fiction. Many of her novels contain a court case, a love story, and an unexpected ending. Which all add up to amazing books.
If you have not read a Jodi Picoult book I would recommend picking on up. Everyone has their favorite, but personally I like Second Glance. Each book is wonderfully woven with different characters, plots, and sub-plots crossing in unexpected was. Most of her books are written from many different perspectives that add to the richness and depth of her novels. Vanishing Acts fits into the model of her typical books.
You start out the story with Delia. She is the main focus of the book. She is also the main focus of the many other characters lives. Besides Delia you hear the story from her father Andrew, her fiance Eric, her friend Fritz, and her mother Elise. Many other character parade in and out of the story. Delia has lived in New Hampshire with her father Andrew for as long as she can remember. Eric and Fritz have always been by her side. She has always been surrounded by people who love her and look out for her. But something has always been missing in Delia's life, her mother.
At the age of five her mother died in a car crash. Delia always hoped that the hospital was wrong and her mother was still alive. She always hoped that one day her mother would be the one on the other side of the door when someone knocked. She always hoped that she was on the other end of the line.
Delia starts having flashbacks. Flashbacks of a life she thinks was not hers. She remembers a lemon tree in a hot dessert, but she only remembers living on the east coast with her father. Her question all seem to be answered when a police officer shows up at her door with a warrant for her father's arrest, but this actually turns into the beginning of new journal for Delia in which she will question everything about her past.
Vanishing Acts centers around its stunning characters. All of the acts to commit are so human, that is hard no to relate. Everything they do is a natural reaction to their situation. Many of the difficult situations in this book involve parenting. Delia's father lied to her for 28 years, but everything he has taught her has made her the parent she is to her five year old, Sophie. Elise, Delia's mother, had the unthinkable happen to her daughter. Delia must put everything aside to parent her daughter right. Parenthood, especially the hard parts, is one of the main focuses of this novel.
Jodi Picoult wonderful pieces together this story that keeps you reading. You never really know what is going to come on the next page. If you have not read a Jodi Picoult book before this novel is a stunning example of what she can do.
Lindsey
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