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Adult Books - Fiction - General Fiction
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The Disapparation of James.
Ursu, Anne (author).
Jan. 2003. 288p. Hyperion/Theia, hardcover, $23.95 (0-7868-6779-5).
REVIEW.
First published January 1, 2003 (Booklist).
Hannah and Justin Woodrow are enjoying a night out at a circus show with their two children, Greta and James. They are celebrating Greta’s seventh birthday, and she is popping up and down in her auditorium seat unable to control her excitement over the impending show. This is not unusual for Greta, but five-year-old James, who is usually reserved and self-contained, is equally restless, and the Woodrows are quietly pleased by his recent burst of animation. When Mike the Clown makes his way onto the stage for the grand finale, he asks for a volunteer, and James surprises the Woodrows again by eagerly raising his hand. The clown chooses James to help him with a disappearing trick, and before the crowd’s disbelieving eyes, little red-haired James Woodrow evaporates into thin air. Ursu maneuvers her characters through the stages of parental grief in a credible and insightful fashion, but does not support James’ disappearance with physical or esoteric information, which leaves a void in what is otherwise a very innovative work of fiction. — Elsa Gaztambide
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