Mary McGarry Morris

I read this book about thirty years ago, but had forgotten what a gritty, tense nail-biter it becomes in the last hundred pages or so. Mary McGarry Morris's VANISHED (1988) is the story of a kidnapping, but it is mostly a study of the odd, mismatched perpetrators, with a colorful cast of secondary characters, many of whom will make you wince and shudder in disbelief and revulsion.

Aubrey Wallace is forty-something, married with two sons, when he suddenly leaves his job on a road repair crew show more in Massachusetts, and runs off with fifteen year-old Dotty in a stolen truck. Soon after this, hungry and broke, Dotty walks into a big house, where she snatches a small toddler and a jar of dimes, and the unlikely trio go on the run for the next six years traveling up and down the east coast, stealing and selling stuff at flea markets. Definitely not living by their wits, because Aubrey is brain-damaged and nearly illiterate, and the beautiful Dotty is wildly bipolar with dreams of Hollywood stardom. The little girl, Canny, also becomes an important character in this grotesque picaresque. Aubrey, a gentle soul, grows to love her and is her primary caretaker, even as he is used and manipulated by the wildly unstable Dotty. When this unlikely "family" merges with another actual family, the white trash Hullers, their tale becomes ever darker, culminating in a tragic and explosive manner that will leave you gasping in horror. VANISHED is one hell of a good read Very very highly recommended.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER show less

Although I can completely understand why some felt this book was not their cup of tea, I really love Mary McGarry Morris' novels and this is no exception. I think she is one of the most underrated novelists in part because she does her job so well as she tends to focus on the different, the uncomfortable and the painful. And, she does it exceptionally well here with the story of Martha. This character is so interesting to me - fascinating really. We never really find out for 'sure' what show more Martha is in terms of a diagnosis. We know she's 'off' but not what really causes her very odd and uncomfortable demeanor. I found the character to be so compelling while at the same time so difficult to read about. It gave me a great deal to think about in terms of how I (and society) treats those who are different. How we make assumptions. How we make judgments. I felt that the author's writing of her story really made me feel what it must be like to be Martha as well as what it must be like to be around her. At times, I felt as if I were THERE, watching it all unfold in front of me. I found the story to be heartbreaking overall. The story is dark and there isn't necessarily a light at the end of the dark tunnel. But, in the end, I think that was appropriate. I think a 'happy ending' would have been contrite and missed the entire point of the story. I really enjoyed this book and plan to seek out other books by this author that I haven't yet read. show less

How does Mary Mcgarry Morris hold all these threads together?
She has encapsulated the rage,bitterness, loneliness, and desperation of small town life. All the threads connect to 12 year old Benjy, who has vowed to keep to himself all the things he has secretly witnessed, just to keep his lonely mother happy. Small town life can be a horror, even before strangers snare one into their web of deceit. Chilling.

The Silence by Mary McGarry Morris began very well. Two children in the woods. One reveals a terrible secret. They have an argument. One leaves. Later the second child is found murdered.

Unfortunately, as the story jumps to twenty eight years later with the surviving child, Ruth, now a cop, the story becomes frustrating and repetitive. Ruth’s actions are irrational and, frankly, annoying. But, in fairness, none of the characters are particularly likeable. Perhaps it’s the subject of this show more tale but I really felt it needed a better protagonist and, well, if I’m honest, a better story. However, I should note that many other reviewers disagree so this is one I leave to potential readers to decide for themselves. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cassandra Campbell who does an admirable job.

Trigger warnings: child abuse, both sexual and physical, alcoholism, ptsd

I received an audiobook of this novel from Netgalley and Highbridge Audio in exchange for an honest review show less