Vanishing Acts

Vanishing Acts is a 2005 domestic and psychological novel by Jodi Picoult. The story follows Delia Hopkins as she struggles to deal with the aftermath of her father’s arrest and trial for kidnapping her 28 years prior. The story cycles through multiple narrators who all share their story in first person, both in the present and through flashbacks. The story examines memory, the effect of lies, internal family struggles, and determining self-identity.

This guide refers to the 2005 Atria e-book edition.

Content Warning: The source material contains depictions of child sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse and neglect, suicide, kidnapping, pregnancy loss, violence, and offensive, racist language.

Plot Summary

Cordelia Hopkins, or Delia, is a 32-year-old search-and-rescuer whose life is going great on the surface. She loves her work, adores her daughter (Sophie), has an incredible support network of friends and family, and will soon marry the love of her life. Under the surface, Delia is concerned about her upcoming marriage and Eric’s former alcohol addiction, and her abilities as a mother, as she lost her own mother at the age of four. Delia has no memories of before she was four years old but gradually recalls planting a lemon tree with her father.