Rating: 
Summary: Best one out of all Terry's books yet
Review: A lot has been said on Disappearing acts, so I'm going to keep mine short and simple. Well this was the first black frictional book I read some years ago. The most interesting thing is that I have re-read it twice since, and every time I have to recommend a book for one of my friends, this is among one of the first books I would recommend (that is if they haven't already read it). This is a fictional story based on the relationship between a boy and a girl. Franklin is a blue-collar worker with a truck full of excess baggage from his previous marriage, and in his own words says he is taking a vacation from all of 'em. Zora is a collage-educated music teacher who is also trying to make a fresh start after a string of bad choices. Well, they meet up and all their resolutions do a "Disappearing act". They go through the roller-coaster ride of boy meet girl, and sometimes it even goes to the extreme, but Terry does not mince with her words. In fact that is what I like about McMillan's writings, she tells it as it is in any given situation. So if you are looking for a good book to read that would keep you up and take you through the motions, then this boy meets girl with a difference is definitely the one for you.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY Real, Excellent Story!
Review: This is my second review of this novel... the first review I wrote got lost in cyber-space. That in itself should say alot about this book because I really wouldn't take the time to write another review unless the book 'deserved' it. And this one does.This book was so 'real' that I never felt as though I was picking up a book to read it... I felt as though I was living it.
Terry McMillan has such an extraordinary talent for making characters come alive.... she is truly gifted. This story is about Zora, a twentysomething, college-educated woman who has chosen bad men all along the way (been there, done that). She is trying to figure out why she's chosen these guys and is determined not to repeat these mistakes. She is also a talented singer who is determined to 'make it'. Franklin is a father of two ... separated from his wife and is living in a rooming home just trying to get his 'constitution' together. While he works out, does his woodworking, and struggles to keep a job and pay his child support, he is doing pretty well. He is smart, charming, talented, big and sexy. Zora and Franklin meet at the apartment she has just rented in Brooklyn, NY. He is the laborer working on her floors. At first their meeting is simple, but as the two continue to get to know each other, an intense and close relationship develops. They fall in love.... and with that comes the story. So real, so happy, so heart wrenching. Franklin is a man who you will love and hate at the same time. He has a huge heart but is burdened by his inability to achieve what he is capable of. He is constantly reminded of 'the white man's power' and is wounded by his own Mother's lack of love. This combination is a major negative force for him. He seems to take one step forward, then two steps backward... and this eventually turns him into an angry and self-destructive state. But the story continues... as does real life. That is what is so wonderful about this book. Real life doesn't always have perfect, or imperfect, endings. And true love stories never end.
Rating:
Summary: The Master Of This Genre!
Review: There are a lot of "Terry McMillan wannabees" out there but she is the ORIGINAL and she's the MASTER of this type of story. Zoe and Franklin, a couple with their own struggles and their many ups and downs, literally jump off of the pages, thanks to the brilliant and totally realistic characters that Terry McMillan creates. Although I liked her other books as well as this one, Disappearing Acts is her best work, as far as I'm concerned.
Rating:
Summary: Another great book written by Ms. McMillan
Review: I loved the story line, the characters and the feel of this book. I personally could not think why a smart, talented, fabulous woman like Zora would put up with the crap Franklin dealt her. I am sure there are tons of women who are in a relationship or have experienced a relationship like this, that find themselves wondering, now why did I ever do that. I have always liked the gritty, sassy and honest way Terry writes. She writes from the heart and pulls the reader through a myriad of emotions, but ultimately just plain glad they picked up her book to read. When it comes to complete characters, she hits the mark everytime. I may not always agree with the endings, but I do so love her style. Thanks for another page turner!
Rating:
Summary: The Master Of This Genre!
Review: There are a lot of "Terry McMillan wannabees" out there but she is the ORIGINAL and she's the MASTER of this type of story. Zoe and Franklin, a couple with their own struggles and their many ups and downs, literally jump off of the pages, thanks to the brilliant and totally realistic characters that Terry McMillan creates. Although I liked her other books as well as this one, Disappearing Acts is her best work, as far as I'm concerned.
Rating:
Summary: Ups and Downs of Love
Review: DISSAPEARING ACTS is a bold reflection of the day-to-day obstacles we encounter in relationships, and how we go about understanding, avoiding, and learning from them. It is also an affirmation that love transcends all barriers, and demonstrates some of the many challenges those in a relationship face, especially between seemingly incompatible individuals. Terry McMillan sticks to her style of constructing multi-faceted characters with their layers peeled back for the reader to see. Even though you may be disappointed to read of Franklin's treatment of Zora, you're still able to see why he's the way he is and even be sympathetic towards him. You can easily relate to how one might act if stripped of their job, dignity, pride, and self-respect. Additionally, it is easy to relate to Zora and understand her position and how it is indeed possible to move on with your life, even when it doesn't seem fair or right. Indicative of relationships across racial and social lines, DISAPPEARING ACTS is worthy of its title and the honor of being the very first book to be awarded the exclusive title of Blackboard Bestseller. It is a book that is just as "real" today as it was when it was first penned over a decade ago. Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers Complete review can be found on our website...
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: It's a great read and it takes you away.
Rating: 
Summary: disappearing acts
Review: Enjoyed this novel to a certain extent. Disappearing Acts was good but wasn't as great as A Day Late and a Dollar Short.
Rating:
Summary: The Bomb
Review: This book was just too good. I wouldn't change this book for nothing. I think one of the best part of this book was when Zora met Franklin family.
Rating:
Summary: A book with an everlasting and powerful message
Review: "Disappearing Acts" is by far one of the most powerful books that I have ever read that had a lasting impact because of the well developed themes that constantly arose from beginning to end. Women's issues were divulged, the weaknesses of the Black male were brought to light, relationship abuse was exposed and most of all poverty in a brought sense closes out some of the key themes in this novel. I read this book ten years ago when it was first released with no prior knowledge of the author or the type of book that I was getting into. I read an excerpt from ESSENCE magazine and was immediately intrigued and it lead me to believe that the book was a captivating love story. Was I prepared for what I was about to read? Probably not. However, because of Terry McMillan's tremendous writing skills, I was totally engaged once I began to read this novel, the story of Zora and Franklin and their love-hate relationship. This book was an eye opener and enlightened me about relationships that are doomed from the start and how it can eventually lead to destruction as both parties slowly destroy each other due to unresolvable conflicts. Zora and Franklin are no exception and the role that each plays is representative of what can happen in a relationship between two people like Zora and Franklin. Zora, a Black career-oriented female is in a relationship with a Black high-school drop out who can't hold a job and is full of empty promises. Needless to say one can't build a relationship on dreams and illusions and eventually Zora's success becomes the source of Franklin's jealousy and anger which in my mind turned the relationship into a verbally, physically and sexually abusive one. Without providing more detail for fear of revealing all the good aspects of the book, this is highly recommended reading if you are interesting in some insight on what happens in some Black relationships and relationships on the whole for that matter but written from the point of view of Black author who had a very powerful message to convey. I read this book twice and I am considering a third time may be in Spanish just to diversify. This is highly recommended reading.
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