The Vanishers: A Novel by Heidi Julavits

The Vanishers

There's no doubt about it: The Vanishers is a very strange novel. Amazon Reviewers are all over the board with this one, but, as far as I can see, most of the reallybad reviews are from people who were expecting a serious paranormal novel.

This is not that. It's the slightly bizarre tale of Julia, a 20-something "Initiate of Promise" at the Institute of Integrated Parapsychology, and her convoluted relationships with her mentor, her dead mother, and a host of other people. Both Julia and her mentor are plagued with physical and psychical ailments -- the only question is, who is attacking whom?

The book has humor, surprises, and a whole lot of weirdness. I would definitely read this author again.