Fictionophile’s OCTOBER 2023 Reading Wrap-Up #bookblogger #MonthlyWrapUp#Fictionophile October 31, 2023 The Vanishing of Margaret Small is the first novel by British author, Neil Alexander. In 1947, at the age of seven, Margaret Small is collected without explanation from her grandmother’s home by a man she dubs The Rat Catcher. There is a twist towards the end of the book, it did not come as a surprise to me. I was pretty sure I had figured it out along the way. But that did not detract from the story at all. Throughout, I only wanted the best for Margaret. But, then, I found out that I had not figured it out. What a lovely surprise! The real twist was way better than what I had in mind. Margaret tells us her story. She uses the present (2015) and the past (1947-1970) alternately. The past is very interesting, learning how she grew up. Margaret leads a hard life. But throughout it all, there are many moments of joy for her and she accepts her lot in life. She learns to live her life around her disabilities, always forging her way forward. She is so loveable for the fact that she is naive and vulnerable. But, the opportunity to make her own choices is not available to her, which affects her for the rest of her life.

This was a lovely book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it was quite sad, but ultimately uplifting. You may need tissues, especially towards the end. I know I did.At times a heart-wrenching read, "The Vanishing of Margaret Small" was an astounding debut novel. Based upon interviews with 'people with learning disabilities', the author has created a fictionalized tribute to those people, while also reminding us of the dire treatment of these individuals just a few short decades ago. I honestly found it so hard to hear what she had endured as a child in St Mary’s and I don’t think I can have hated a character more than Nurse Cunningham! The sad fact of the matter is that whilst this book is a work of fiction it is based on real stories and my heart breaks to think of what people with disabilities, physically or mentally, went through in the 1940s-1980s. As Margaret tells us her story I wanted someone to help her and give her the life she deserved. Whether it was Joan, Eva or kind Sandra, the people she trusted kept abandoning her and each time my heart broke a little more for her. This poignant story tells of people whom life has denied any of the advantages that we take for granted today. People with few or no choices about their own lives. It speaks to the unfairness of life, while simultaneously being hopeful thanks in no small part to Margaret’s naivety and positive outlook. LoveReading exists because books change lives, and buying books through LoveReading means you get to change the lives of future generations, with 25% of the cover price donated to schools in need. Join our community to get personalised book suggestions, extracts straight to your inbox, 10% off RRPs, and to change children’s lives. Present-day Margaret is a creature of habit and I love the simplistic life she lives. You have to admire the life she has built for herself, considering her institutional life. When the letters and gifts start appearing I immediately want to know who it is. This level of mystery grabbed me straight away and kept me listening. I had a few theories running through my mind and after one or two surprises we finally learn who the mystery sender is. I was pleasantly surprised and felt that this gave the story a lovely ending worthy of Margaret.

Fictionophile’s OCTOBER 2023 #BookHaul #Bookbloggers #ForthcomingTitles #TBR #AnticipatedReads October 31, 2023 There are some memorable secondary characters as well, both good and bad. Wayne was among my favourites. The Vanishing of Margaret Small is a story that tore at my heart, had me shedding tears in places, but also had me laughing out loud in others. My thanks to Bonnier UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Vanishing of Margaret Small”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook. Best Books Set in the 1920s — from Stories That Shimmer with Champagne and Social Change, to Rip-roaring Reads Covering Crime, Colonialism and Beyond.

There’s only one problem if you opt for the audio version, which is brilliant in every other way. Through the narrator's voice, you will discover at least the gender of the mysterious ‘C’, which eliminates half of the potential suspects from the list. Reading the book would have helped retain the mystery better. I've read similar books before (Grace Henderson Says it Loud) but Margaret makes an eloquent narrator and her story has extra dimensions outside of the 'care home' scenario, that make this a touching and rather memorable audiobook.

Recommended Reads about Race, Racism, and Demarginalizing History - Necessary Non-fiction You Should Read for Life-changing Insights and Impact Alexander weaves a most sensitive story, which made me laugh and smile, and on one occasion even cry, but not once does he descend into the saccharine or ever patronise his marvellous leading lady, Margaret. His depiction of Care Support Worker Wayne has such heart, and it is Wayne and Margaret’s exchanges that are my favourite conversations in the book. I adored Wayne, especially the way he drew a line in the sand in dealing with some of Margaret’s dodgy views. So, yes, like all good characters Margaret may be flawed, but mostly she is kind and funny — and the most wonderful company.The chapters are short, adding to the pace of the novel. (I was a bit apprehensive to see eighty-seven chapters at first! Needn’t have worried.) Where do I even begin? Everyone and I mean everyone needs to read this book! I defy anyone to not fall in love with Margaret Small, she is the most loveable character you could ever meet and once you know her history you can’t help but love her more. This story is told in a dual timeline. We have present-day Margaret who is struggling to understand why she keeps receiving letters from someone called ‘C’ and Margaret as a child/teen/ young woman telling us her story inside the walls of St Mary’s.

Okay, call me gender-biased, but I am not a fan of men writing women; most of the times, they mess up female representation. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that this is written by a man! What a beautiful and sensitive portrayal of the female characters! There was no scene where I felt like the writing went stereotypical. So yeah, I admit, there are some good male writers in contemporary fiction. I hope some more of them come my way. ( Sorry for being so presumptive in my dismissal of male authors! It’s a case of ‘Multiple times bitten, perennially shy.’) While reading, I wondered if Margaret was really as 'slow' as they made her out to be. If her grandmother had shown her any real love and guidance perhaps she would have learned to read and write. Though, the sad truth was that the grandmother's getting rid of Margaret as an unwelcome reminder of her daughter's transgressions seemed inevitable in a way. The sadistic treatment of the patients at the long term care institution was distressing to read. Margaret lived there from the age of seven until she was forty-one years old! All the while being told she was incapable of learning - and she had no schooling. Vanish is exactly what happens to seven-year-old Margaret in 1947 when her maternal grandmother and Mr. Gray decide she should be 'dropped off' at St. Mary's Hospital, a long-stay institution for children with learning and physical disabilities. When reading, the locations mentioned were very vivid to me - largely in part to the fact that just last week I binge-watched the second season of "Whitstable Pearl" on Netflix. It is written in the same language and style that I imagine her talking in. Bad grammar and all. This makes the story feel authentic. I imagine the audible version would be good. There are a few characters that are a bit clichéd at the home where she grew up. But there are lots of other interesting secondary characters.Plans for Novellas in November #NovNov23 #NovellasInNovember #Fictionophile#novellas October 28, 2023 The Vanishing of Margaret Small is an emotional journey from her childhood to present day. Margaret may have been slower than others and unable to read or write but she has the biggest heart. Her sweet innocence, her kindness and compassion for others shines through. There are some plot points, mainly about Margaret’s younger years, that are brushed off hastily. I would have loved some more details on these gaps. A wonderful book that everyone should read. And please don't forget to read the author's note at the end. It is enlightening.