Disappearing Earth
Dates Read: February 24-26, 2020
Wow, what a book! Easily the best book I’ve read so far in 2020. I knew when my Dad handed this book to me that it was going to be good. He rarely lets me down! It is no wonder that a book full of beautiful writing, tragic characters and spot-on insights on the human condition would become on of the New York Times’ best books of 2019, not to mention a National Book Award finalist. Julia Phillips has created something truly stunning. So much of the story revolves around its location – the isolated Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia (and if you never heard of it before, you are not alone – I had to look it up while reading) – I felt the story was a universal look at deep loss and isolation. It was a devastating map of how tragedy can have a ripple effect and engulf people who are seemingly far removed from it. And lest you think it is too sad to pick up, I promise you that in the midst of the heartbreak, there are lighter moments of humanity and perseverance. In books like this, where you follow the stories of multiple interconnected characters, it can be easy to forget a name or the character’s relation to others in the book. Luckily, Phillips included a handy character map at the front of the book. Please, do yourself a favor and grab this book!
