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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...
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Summary: Left wanting more¿why did Zora have faith in Franklin?
Review: I read this book for the first time about 10 years ago when it first came out. Re-reading it made me realize how much I've grown in the last 10 years. The first time I read this book (and, in some ways, this time too), I was just disgusted with Franklin and disgusted with Zora for putting up with him. How could she let him manipulate and control her? How could she allow him to keep coming back into her life after so much drama? Then I realized you have got to walk in her shoes before you judge her. Zora is in LOVE. She doesn't just love this man, she is IN LOVE with him-which allows her to be patient and to do things that we don't do when we operate with our heads rather than our hearts. I want to think that in the end, Zora gets the ultimate blessing because Franklin recognizes her commitment. I think Terry McMillan did an excellent job developing Franklin's character in this book; she tries to make you somewhat sympathetic to his trials. However, I wish she had further developed Zora's character so that we can better understand what makes her willing to wade through Franklin's pitiful, trifling ways.
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Summary: This Has Got To Be One Of The Best Books I've Ever Read
Review: Lonely, confused, and hardworking man meets lonely, hardworking, dreamer of a woman and they fall in love and live happily ever after is what we are all used to either reading about or seeing on TV, right? Well...wake up and smell the DAMN coffee because we are living in the 21st century and and we are no longer living in "la-la" land. I realized this when I picked up the novel "Disappearing Acts", written by Terry McMillan. She uses humor and realistic topics we all can relate to, such as love, hate, betryal, trust, and friendship to gain and reach out to her captive audiance."Disappearing Acts" is a delightsful story about the union of two very different people, Franklin and Zora. They are like the African-American version of "Frankie and Johnnie". Franklin is a sometimes employed construction worker, high school drop-out but surprisingly educated and well-mannered. He's separated with two sons that barely know who their father is. He seeks meaning in life without women. But he unexpectedly meets a woman who is somehow the answer to all of his problems, Zora. Zora is a young, beautiful, dreamy, and sometimes insecure middle school music teacher who yearns to be the next Whitney Houston Nina Simone. She swears that the only goal she plans to reach is her singing career. When these two beatiful people meet...the chemistry is undeniable. But they both have skeletons in the closet that they are afraid to reveal. This is a story that anyone of any race, ethnicity, or backround can relate to. Terry McMillan is definetly speaking the truth through her words. I suggest that anyone in search of a good book to read..this is definetly the one to pick up.
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Summary: TERRY'S BOOK THAT DISAPPEARS BEFORE YOUR EYES!!
Review: Terry McMillan happens to be a good author and I've read most of her books. Terry is very talented in her writing by making her books so realistic. The way she grasps your attention is marvelous and unimaginable. But "Disappearing Acts" has become my 2nd favorite book. The book for me was very hard to put down. The way she explains Franklin and Zora's relationship dealing with the idea of love is excellent. Despite their different careers the story still touches my heart. I enjoyed the part when they moved in together and they had a child, which strengthens their bond. I didn't like the parts where they thought about separating. The book was very enlightening on dealing with problems in various relationships. Terry did her thang with this book. I can relate to the different themes in the book.
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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.
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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.
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