Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance, by Alison Espach
Reading Like Writers Book Club
In the monthly Reading Like Writers Books Club we are examining a published book-length story to excavate the three components of the “groundwork” we talk about around here. At the end you’ll have access to a conversation I had with my friend Colleen about the book.
Remember, reading like writers helps us become better writers. Come along, my friend!
Disclaimer #1: Spoilers are imminent. If you want to save this post for after you’ve read the book, please feel free! But much can be learned from a discussion of a story even if you haven’t read it, so I encourage the rest of you to read on.
Let’s review: The Groundwork for a Story
Message: what the author is trying to say to the reader about the human experience
Character Arc: how the character(s) change internally from the beginning to the end (usually related to the message)
Turning Points: 2-3 key plot points that affect this change in the character’s arc, and how.
December/January’s Read:
Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance, by Alison Espach
The Message
Disclaimer #2: Authors can’t control what message a reader takes away from the story. Without talking with the author, there is no way to know what they actually intended! But this is my takeaway…
This is a character-driven story about family, grief, and love. My takeaway is that everyone grieves in their own, highly individual way and at their own pace, and that forgiveness (of oneself as well as others) is a journey.
Character
Misbelief: The death of her sister has altered Sally’s reality and she doesn’t know how to process it. (This isn’t technically a misbelief - see below - but it is her starting place.)
How it changes: By the end, Sally has become capable of accessing those feelings and integrating them into who she (and her family) are in the present.
This one is tricky, because at the beginning of the story Sally (the main character) is 13, and by the end she’s an adult. To say she has a misbelief in this case isn’t really accurate; she has experienced a trauma and doesn’t know how to deal with it (and isn’t getting any support). But it still exists as the thing inside her that will change over the course of the story, which is what’s essential!
Turning Points
There are many turning points in any novel. I’ve chosen a few to illustrate how plot events and character arcs are tied together.
Kathy’s death: It happens early in the novel and serves as the catalyst for everything else to come, and the loss of the tether Sally has to girlhood.
Billy’s visit to the family after the accident: When he comes with his parents to apologize and her parents reject it, it is the moment that Sally realizes how different things really are.
When Sally’s mother sees Kathy’s ghost/angel: This is a turning point for the family dynamic, where Sally realizes she’s largely on her own.
Disclaimer #3: I am reading like a writer in an attempt to become a better writer. I’m sure there were things I missed or misunderstood. That’s why conversation is important!
Listen to my conversation about Notes On Your Sudden Disappearance with my friend
!Let’s discuss! What observations, A-Ha’s, or questions came up for you with this book? Let us know in the comments!
February’s book: Come and Get It, by Kiley Reid
Have a great week, writers.
Warmly,
Stephanie
P.S. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
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Enjoyed the discussion. Loved the book. Espach has a great voice, you're hooked from the first chapter. One thing you didn't mention was her comic writing especially with the parents - funny without being mean. At first I was against Sally & Billy falling in love ( oh no - too creepy) but by the end it makes sense as everyone makes their journey to a healthier place.