A review by lfinkenkeller
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips

challenging mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I don't know if I have ever read a book that I liked and disliked so much. The book is about two Russian girls who go missing in Kamchatka and how the girls affect other people in the surrounding area for the next year. This story is more than a mystery because it deals with so many controversial themes such as racism, social status, xenophobia, homophobia, grief, and the disappearance of native cultures.
Each chapter is a month in the year following the girls' disappearance. Each chapter tells the story of another person or persons affected by their disappearance. As I read each chapter, I felt like I was reading a short story. I loved how all the characters in the book intersected.
I absolutely hated the ending. While the author led you to what you think happened, she didn't specifically tell you what happened. I like when my stories are tied up in a neat bow. This novel was not, and I felt cheated. 
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