How Not to Disappear – Clare Furniss – Review
- Lau
- Jan 24, 2018
- 3 min read
Rating: 4/5 Author: Clare Furniss Pages: 420
I’m not a stranger to YA Fiction as it is one of my favourite genres. The title engaged me more so than the blurb, ‘How Not to Disappear’ gave me the impression that the book is going to teach a lesson, which is something I appreciate from a book. Initially, the first few chapters makes you believe you can guess what will happen in the book – my advice is to not be deceived, there are various exciting, enthralling and altering plot twists that keep your eyes fixed on the pages.
My first impression was that Hattie doesn’t want to disappear in terms of significance or getting lost in adolescence as her two best friends are taking on the world with both hands. However, at many points in the book Furniss kept making me change my hypothesis on what was going to happen. The way the book kept me guessing was, as the only way I can describe it to be, an enjoyable frustration. Just as you thought you cracked it and guessed an outcome, your jaw drops at an unexpected plot twist. This was the case fairly early on in the book and so it is not a slow start and you can be drawn in very quickly. By chapter 6 I was already reading snippets of the next page because it gripped me so much I felt I couldn’t read fast enough.
In terms of characters, they really did jump off the page. When I finished the book, it left me feeling like they were real, Hattie, Gloria, Reuben, Edie and Carl. I felt as though they weren’t fictional and were just living their lives somewhere else and I had a glimpse into those people’s lives. The way you relate to their issues and emotions is exceptionally clever on Furniss’ part. Of all the books I’ve read, few have left me feeling this attached to the characters. With these real issues, Furniss often gives you two possible outcomes and follows through with the outcome that leaves the character in a state of turmoil, which I personally feel adds to the value of the life lessons in this book as it teaches that not everything ends in a perfect harmony.
With regards to my feelings and emotions throughout the read, it moved me to tears from time to time. A memorable feeling for me was the unpredictable scenes of old Gloria and feeling worried when her dementia played tricks on her, especially in the final 5 or so pages. The ending was a case of being sad but heart-warming at the same time. I am glad it ended with Gloria’s narrative as I felt it was the most compassionate way to close the reader’s insight into Gloria’s slipping state of mind.
Unfortunately, no book is perfect. I do have one notable dislike and it is the repetition that occurs in a few pages. On a particular note, Hattie repeated herself on a few occasions. For example, Hattie worries about the pregnancy but is putting herself and her emotions aside as she feels Gloria has worse problems. I guess it is Furniss’ way of presenting Hattie’s emotions because such worries don’t just vanish instantly, and they do tend to play on our minds and trigger our thoughts. Nevertheless, it can’t help but be repetitive for a reader.
I definitely enjoyed every minute of this book and there wasn’t a time it didn’t captivate all of my attention. Furniss hasn’t limited her audience to a specific kind of reader, which I admire as reading a book is a liberating experience which should be accessible by all ages and genders. The relationship between a teen and an elder is brought to life in this book and the compassionate connection is overwhelming. I feel that both, a young adult and an older adult, would appreciate the way the story unfolds and the issues Furniss decides to address.
Happy Reading!
Lauren xo
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