Disappearance

Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: There's good reason this book is out of print. Wylie's story, THE DISAPPEARANCE, doesn't stand the test of time. Back in the '50's this startling plot certainly impressed the reader-no more. Now we expect some plausible, physical or psychic explanation for this split world phenomena. In fact, Wylie's principle character, Bill Gaunt, spent four year searching for an answer but could only come up with psychological mumbo jumbo.

In fact, contrary to the premise of this story-that the two sexes lack appreciation for each other-the battle of the sexes, for many, could be the only factor that keeps life interesting enough to live. Wylie's disdain for homosexuality is now as antiquated as slave ownership.

Whatever putty holds the material world together came unglued for four years while the males and females found themselves on two ships at sea, never passing. The happy ending, the reuniting of the sexes, was a pure and simple cop out. The reader expects some plausible explanation but never gets it. Perhaps Wylie brewed up a fine stew here but provides nothing to sharpen your intellectual teeth on.

Rating:
Summary: DISAPPOINTING
Review: There's good reason this book is out of print. Wylie's story, THE DISAPPEARANCE, doesn't stand the test of time. Back in the '50's this startling plot certainly impressed the reader-no more. Now we expect some plausible, physical or psychic explanation for this split world phenomena. In fact, Wylie's principle character, Bill Gaunt, spent four year searching for an answer but could only come up with psychological mumbo jumbo.

In fact, contrary to the premise of this story-that the two sexes lack appreciation for each other-the battle of the sexes, for many, could be the only factor that keeps life interesting enough to live. Wylie's disdain for homosexuality is now as antiquated as slave ownership.

Whatever putty holds the material world together came unglued for four years while the males and females found themselves on two ships at sea, never passing. The happy ending, the reuniting of the sexes, was a pure and simple cop out. The reader expects some plausible explanation but never gets it. Perhaps Wylie brewed up a fine stew here but provides nothing to sharpen your intellectual teeth on.

Rating:
Summary: Should be read by all!
Review: This book made me think about our place in the world and in society. It brought to light just how much we depend on each other and did so in an intelligent, insightful way. The way the men dealt with the disappearance and the way the women dealt with it makes for interesting topics of discussion. It would be a real shame to let this one go the way of the "out of print" books.

Rating:
Summary: Dated, but a must read classic
Review: This classic by Wylie is a must read for any who live in a world with TWO sexes, such as this one. For in Wylie's fictional account the world of each sex is separated by a dimensional rift. This is done in the blink of an eye. Written in the fifties, the world of women is somewhat dated by it's lack of technicians, plumbers and female firefighters. This is the story's only weak point. The higher incidents of women being in such postions today would allow a quicker re-building of society. But then the deadly weapons and easier accessibilty by many, in the world of men, may also make their destruction that much quicker as well. Hopefully, this fictional philosophical lesson, from one of the world's best modern philosophers can give others as new an outlook on the age old 'war of the sexes', as it did the novels main characters and this reader.