How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes (Release date: June 2021)

 You want a new book to read. You want something different, but aren't sure exactly what. So you search and browse. Everything sounds the same. And then, you stumble upon a title the peaks your interest: How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes. You read the description and wonder if you could actually read a book written in second person point of view. You have never done this before so, you give it a try.

Yes. How to Disappear is written in second person, just like the paragraph above. This is a point of view that is rarely used, in part because it is very difficult to create a sustainable story arc, but also because it is so intimate to the reader. Imagine reading an entire novel where you are told what you think feel and experience. A different part of the reading brain is activated and the connection to the story is very different. It's far from "normal".

The book opens by immersing the reader immediately into the main character's life, which is a total disaster (of her own making). But remember, it's now your life due to the point of view. I'm not going to lie. It's a little uncomfortable, but the story is good enough to keep it from getting too awkward. It also escalates quickly and continues to do so steadily throughout the novel. Many of the turning points are perfectly timed--I'd be just about to give up reading and then a twist was thrown in. Naturally, I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened next.

While I struggled to embrace the reality of some scenes, I think the uniqueness of the point of view helped. I stopped a few times and imagined what this story would be like if written in first or third person. It was then I realized it would be a totally different story. This is how it was meant to be written. So, again, I kept reading.

The ending of the book felt a little anti-climactic. I didn't feel a huge build up to the resolution and the ending didn't entirely make sense to me. Yet, somehow, it was still satisfying. It closed the loop, bringing the story full circle. Interestingly, a lot of questions were left unanswered. I suspect in some ways that may have been a gift from the author, freeing the reader to imagine more on their own after the written word ended. And to me, that's what reading is all about. 

So, if you are looking for an interesting and mind bending read, I recommend How to Disappear by Bruna Gomes. It could be a nice change for a beach or poolside read or could lead to great discussion at a book club. It's also not purely young adult, either. I think many adults could relate to the concept of  escaping your own "mediocre life". Lean in. Enjoy the ride.