Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Disappearing Acts

4.08 of 5 stars 4.08 · rating details · 5,416 ratings · 108 reviews

First time in mass market paperback, the stunning national bestseller from the author of Waiting to Exhale. The publication of that milestone novel has drawn extraordinary reader attention to McMillan's earlier novel, Disappearing Acts--a funny, gritty urban love story about the mystery of desire, and about the burdens of the past.

Published (first published 1989)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jul 24, 2008 Roy rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Waiting to Exhale" received all of the acclaim and is the book that changed the face of publishing to a significant degree as the industry suddenly realized that African Americans read too, and sometimes even like to read about fictional characters who remind them of themselves. But in my opinion this is Ms. McMillan's strongest novel. It's easy to become immersed in her work, forgetting that you're reading and instead envisioning yourself as a fly on the wall easedropping on lives that seem as...more

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2008 Kaylah Turner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I’m reviewing the book Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan. It’s a fictional book about a black woman and man who struggle with society’s views, relationships, and life in general.

Disappearing Acts is based on the everyday struggles of a black woman Zora, and man Franklin, living in New York during the 80’s. Franklin is a tall handsome handyman who works construction. He’s very intelligent, but knows that means little when your black and a high school dropout. Franklin feels no one will ever gi...more I’m reviewing the book Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan. It’s a fictional book about a black woman and man who struggle with society’s views, relationships, and life in general.

Disappearing Acts is based on the everyday struggles of a black woman Zora, and man Franklin, living in New York during the 80’s. Franklin is a tall handsome handyman who works construction. He’s very intelligent, but knows that means little when your black and a high school dropout. Franklin feels no one will ever give him a break especially when his own mother can’t. Zora is a successful middle school music teacher who’s passion is singing, and is determined to one day make it big. After meeting coincidentally at Zora’s new place Franklin quickly finds himself falling for Zora. Although Zora is hesitant not knowing much about Franklin they quickly find their relationship going from zero to sixty in three months. It starts to slow down though when some secrets are revealed. Franklin finds out about Zora hiding her epilepsy from him, and Zora finds out about his two sons and his wife. Who although they have been separated for a number of years have not gotten the divorce yet because of money. They manage to overcome it though but when jealousy, an abortion, drinking, a blow to the face, and their newborn son comes into play everything changes. They find out their bond might not be as strong as they thought, and Franklin feels he needs some time to accomplish what he had set out to do before meeting Zora. Going to his classes, doing things for himself by himself, and trying to start his own business. While doing this he only sees his son and Zora once every couple months with no communication in between, but they soon find out the break was just what they needed.

I thought the book was very entertaining. It was drama filled, suspenseful, and kept me on my toes the entire time. I especially liked how one chapter was written by Zora, one by Franklin, and so on. Also how vivid the book is. I could picture Zora’s classy apartment, Franklin’s tall stature, and their vacation to Saratoga very easily. Even when starting on the first couple pages you get a sense that the book is different. Everyone can relate to it. Whether it be how your misunderstood, feel like you can’t get ahead, having relationship issues, or are just trying to pursue your dreams, like me.

I think mature readers would enjoy reading this. Either male or female, because one gender isn’t the main character. Both a man and a woman share the spotlight equally. Mature teen readers would benefit most from this book, because it shows how you can overlook someone’s faults and love them in spite of them. It also it shows how to stand up for yourself, and forgive people for their mistakes. I think people who enjoy Terry McMillan’s work will love this book. Its different from Waiting To Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back because this is from both genders point of view. But still has the bluntness of Terry’s writing

Overall I give the book two thumbs up. I think it was the perfect drama book. It portrayed a relationship through many eyes, and was written in a way to capture readers.
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 10, 2009 Kadedra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Disappearing Acts

The Disappearing Acts is a realistic fiction novel by Terry Mcmillan. The theme of the book is to not let a man corrupt your personal beliefs and decisions. The Disappearing Acts mainly focuses on Zora an aspiring singer who meets a man named Franklin, who is not so stable but she falls in love wit him. Zora moves to New York to try and get her singing career started and Franklin was one of the contractors working on some renovations in her new apartment. They begin dating...more The Disappearing Acts

The Disappearing Acts is a realistic fiction novel by Terry Mcmillan. The theme of the book is to not let a man corrupt your personal beliefs and decisions. The Disappearing Acts mainly focuses on Zora an aspiring singer who meets a man named Franklin, who is not so stable but she falls in love wit him. Zora moves to New York to try and get her singing career started and Franklin was one of the contractors working on some renovations in her new apartment. They begin dating shortly after. Zora is a very smart woman who believes she is very independent and she doesn’t need a man to feel happy. She is very wrong because when she meets Franklin she finds her self thinking about him and fantasizing about sexual episodes with him. They book goes into detail about their sexual experiences and other experiences they have had with other people before they met.
Franklin and Zora are like most couples who argue but the root of the arguments seem to start with Franklin not being able to provide for zora due to his lack of education. Zora feels that Franklin is more worried about providing for her than loving her like he should. Franklin has children and he has a hard time proving for them and he feels that Zora is worried that if he cant provide for his kids then he cant provide for her and all Zora wants is for Franklin to do better in life.
This book reminds me of the other Terry McMillan book “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” which is about a woman named Stella who goes to Jamaica on vacation and meets a man half her age and their relationship had some insecurity issues just like Franklin and Zora. The character Zora reminds me of my older cousin and her husband. My cousin is a doctor and her husband worked driving trucks and he wasn’t bringing in as much money home as she was and he was very insecure about her making more money than him so they eventually broke up. Many parents owe their children child support like Franklin, he cant afford to pay the child support fees because his job doesn’t pay enough.
I would recommend this book to young adults or adults because this book deals with a lot of life issues and some woman may relate to Zora because I know of a lot of woman who are in the same situation as here. I personally didn’t like this book because it was a bit to grown for me I hardly know about half the things she was feeling because she was a grown having to make life decisions at times and I am a teenager.

(less)

like · see review

Aug 08, 2007 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

I'm not really a Terry McMillan fan, but I really admired this book. I thought it was a pretty honest portrayal of the progression of a romantic relationship-- first you're enamored; then you're disillusioned, sometimes to the point of being disturbed; then, maybe, you find your way back to each other. It's not an uncommon storyline, but the way she exposes her characters' darker (yet utterly mundane) side is pretty unusual in fiction.

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 30, 2013 Danielle Sheppard added it · review of another edition

Shelves: semester-1-2012-2013

The "Disappearing Act" is basically an Urban love story,novel provides a realistic portrayal of a relationship between a black man and woman struggling to find their place in life separately and together. The disappearing act is written in the first person, its Zora and Franklin's point of view, And different events in their relationship over the course of two and a half years. Franklin is a construction worker, and a carpenter who never graduated from high school. The subjects of this novel is...more

like · see review

Dec 02, 2009 Tuesday rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

This book started off pretty good. Kept me interested and coming back for more. I am mid way through the book and I find myself having to motivate myself to continue on. I so want to put this book down and start a new one but I have decide that my New Year's resolution for 2010 is to finish what I start. There is no better time than the present to make a lifestyle change. But this book is making me regret that change.

It is way too mushy for my taste. And Zora is a pathetic fool who is madly in l...more

1 like · like · see review

Nov 21, 2010 Bonnie Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

Disappearing Acts is the only book I've read by this author. What made me enjoy the book so thoroughly was the way the characters were developed in alternating chapters, each describing an incident as reflected by his/her point of view. As time passes and their relationship inevitably changes, I found myself carried along - then caring about - what happened to these two people. It didn't matter to me whether I agreed with one or the other, was annoyed with or, at times, irritated by both. Be it...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 25, 2013 A.T. Hicks rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: delicious

Despite Waiting to Exhale being her breakout hit, Disappearing Acts is actually my favorite novel by Terry McMillan. I loved the raw intensity of the relationship between the main character and her construction worker take-no-prisoners boyfriend.

The best thing about this book: it was swimming in uncharted waters for black female authors at the time. But she did something even more profound--she introduced black women to chick lit!

http://www.saltygurl.com

like · see review

Dec 11, 2012 Brittany Jamison rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Picked this up at random and was imediately hooked. Possibly cliche, but I was from the beginning. McMillan writes a wonderfully complex story about love and people and relationships that really does suck in the reader. Her characters are comlpilcated and flawed yet you care about them and their relationship. It definately reads "like a movie" and I haven't had that feeling about a novel in a long time. Especially enjoyed McMillan's writing style and her skill at crafting people and places and e...more

like · see review

Oct 23, 2009 Pamm rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I could personally relate to this book because I have witnessed similar situations in the my own African American family. The relationship forged between Zora & Franklin appears to be ideal on the outside but soon problems emerge. Franklin's ups and down's with work as a construction worker begin to eat away at him and the abuse he suffered from his childhood begins to surface through his depressed moods and his hostile anger. Zora and Franklin have to grow their issues. This was an easy to...more

like · see review

Mar 26, 2010 Michelle Robinson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Michelle by: I found it after reading MAMA by the same author.

Shelves: african-american-fiction, contemporary-fiction, compelling-topic, i-hate-to-close-the-last-page

McMillan's novel was so descriptive that I felt as if I could know these people.

I was alternately angry with Zora and Franklin. I realized that the lives described here were so real that I have witnessed these very dynamics in relationships.

This book was far better than either "Stella" as was another earlier work of McMillan, "Mama". That book was one of the best books that I ever read. This was a close second. I honestly believe that McMillian's earlier books were better than her later more com...more

like · see review

Feb 10, 2008 Raquel rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved it! The movie is among my favorites...among the first movies I ever owned (Dirty Dancing was the first...my all time favorite movie...it was a gift). I have it on VHS and whenever I'm in the mood, AND one of my VCRs is wired correctly, I watch it. It's out on DVD now, so I'll need to hook that up. This film was the beginning of my love of Sanaa Lathan (Zora), and with the name "Zora". I already knew and loved Zora Neale Hurston, but never considered naming my potential future daughter that...more Loved it! The movie is among my favorites...among the first movies I ever owned (Dirty Dancing was the first...my all time favorite movie...it was a gift). I have it on VHS and whenever I'm in the mood, AND one of my VCRs is wired correctly, I watch it. It's out on DVD now, so I'll need to hook that up. This film was the beginning of my love of Sanaa Lathan (Zora), and with the name "Zora". I already knew and loved Zora Neale Hurston, but never considered naming my potential future daughter that until I saw this movie and heard it spoken so many times. And I've always thought very highly of Wesley Snipes' general appearance, so this movie was easily one of my favs. Now about the book...

This is a love story about some grown-up love...that make-it-through-the-fire love. It's the kind of love you want, but without all the pain. You know, like you want to love somebody so much that you love them and forgive them unconditionally...not becasue you're a punk, but because you need them like breath...like air. You want to love like that, but to not have that joint tested...does that make sense? The moral of the story (in my opinion)is that it's important to maintain your own identity...your sense of self...once you're in a relationship. Ever seen a couple who are so alike...love the same things, have the same freinds, the same hobbies, the same style? It's easy for people to "disappear" in relationships...either by compromising to the point of conforming so much that they end up morphing into who they think partner wants them to be, or simply morphing into their partner becasue they don't have a strong sense of identity themselves...when it's best (for everybody's sanity) to just stay the person they are, and roll with that...be a constantl reminder of why they fell in love with you in the first place. Of course growth is natural, but to grow together... and maintain personal identity...there's the rub. Now back to the book...

Anyway...great characters. Very enjoyable read. I'm actually glad I saw the movie first...and that the book was so different from the film. I got to experience these characters again, but the story for the first time, which was cool. I'm not surprised the book was so much better. To squeez this story into 2 hours a lot of characters were cut out and some things were rearranged. I guess to tell the whole story, they'd have had to make a mini series, like they did with Alex Haley's Roots or Queen. This story is actually good enough to have a series inspired by it...like Soul Food...which how cool would that be? The characters in this story are like that...you just want more of them. I didn't want it to end. That's the same way I felt after I read The Interruption of Everything. As much as you want to, you don't know what will happen next, but you know everything will work out alright. Terri McMillan is really good at those kinds of endings.

This is only the second novel of her's that I've read. I bought Waiting to Exhale after I saw the movie too...still haven't read it. I'm sure I'll play catch up with her other movie inspiring novel How Stella Got Her Groove Back. 'Specially since this was based on her personal love story...and her groove giver has recently turned up gay. I'll save them (and I'm sure her other stuff eventually) for when I need some detox from heavier reading.

(less)

like · see review

Dec 18, 2007 ♥T♥I♥N♥K♥E♥R♥B♥E♥L♥L rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: amybody who think they are all that and needs a wake up call

The main point of this book is for a girl to relaize that what glitter is not always gold. Also, it shows or portrays a moral life of a young girl who does not know what she want. The setting of this book is in Brooklyn, New York on teh east side. Zyra decides she wants to do better so she moves into a new apartment and meets Frankie. Her and Frankie start a terminal realtionship, and decides to have intercourse. After the first couple of intercourse's, she gets pregnant, kills her baby nad dec...more

like · see review

Feb 08, 2009 Eva Leger rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: everyone who loves great fiction

Recommended to Eva by: don't remember

Shelves: b-urban-fiction

This is most definitely in the top ten favorite books of all-time. This is one of the best books ever written by one of the best authors to have ever lived.
I'm not the biggest fan of too many details yet years and years after reading this I can still remember some. Zora and Franklin are also two of the best made characters I've ever come across.
I recommend everyone at least giving this a shot- I know no one who hasn't loved it!

like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Lola rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Disappearing Acts is an amazing romance novel, it truly shows the ups and downs of getting to know someone, accepting feelings and initially - falling in love. Unlike your typical fairy tale it is realistic, and shows love as an emotion rather than an admiration if assets. The story captures the true meaning of a real time love, two ordinary individuals coming together to create a bond. Loved it!

like · see review

Jul 06, 2010 Latina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I believe that this was the first book I read as an adult. I really enjoyed it. I seen the film years later but I have to say that I like the book better not to say that Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan did not do their thing. Reading the book I was able to capture the setting, the mood of the characters and I just overall enjoyed the story line. I feel as though Franklin was the flat character while Zora the strong black women in the book.

like · see review

Sep 14, 2012 Janie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An urban love story featuring Zora (a teacher) and Franklin (a construction worker) who happens to be a not-quite-yet divorced father of two. Similar to other titles by McMillan, it offers a cute story, likeable if not unique characters and a feel good, let's get smart about love plot. Good read, but nothing out of the ordinary.

like · see review

Nov 08, 2010 Shannon *Eboni Scarlett* Holliday rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I remember reading Disappearing Acts, Waiting to Exhale, and How Stella Got her Grove Back. I read these books back to back to back before the movies were made. These books were must reads that I had to have in my collection. The movies complimented the books however, what I like best about the books is they added to my imagination.

like · see review

Dec 13, 2008 Sister rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

Nov 13, 2012 Guyo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

My question to Zora does Franklin deserve your love?

The story line resonates with me. Franklin and Zora are untangled in this web of disappointment, deception, abuse, and love. Although they both aware of declining of their relationship, they decided to weather the storm. The final outcome is to do your homework before getting deeply involve in a relationship.

like · see review

Mar 25, 2010 Chrystal rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Such a good book whose story was truly lost when it was adapted into a movie. The development of the character's friendships drew you into the story...

The depth of the characters in the book, was not shown at all in the movie version - snipes was one of the worst choices made to play the lead.

like · see review

Jul 13, 2009 Katie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I remember reading the novel, I remember the point of the novel, and I remember feeling okay about the novel... but that's sort of it. My experience with the book (and McMillan in general) could be summed up with one word: luke-warm. McMillan is okay, her novel was okay...but rather underwhelming.

like · see review

Oct 28, 2012 Rachael Boswell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favs

I loved this book ... Maybe it was my love of the movie that made it more enjoyable since I saw the film first! However it's a great story about the kind of relationship your sensible head says you shouldn't be in yet many an intelligent woman finds herself in! I loved it :-)

like · see review

May 10, 2012 Tracy Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: loved

This book, from the moment I picked it up, I was unable to put down. It was GREAT, TERRIFIC, AMAZING, I can barely find words to fit this beautiful book. Filled with betrayal, anger, pride, and love, this book amazed me. I didn't even want to return it to the library. THis book is beautiful, it's really a work of art.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 21, 2013 Diana Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love how this book starts off and I love how McMillan tells the story from both points of both characters. I think this is one of McMillan' s best writings. I wonder if she interviewed a few men before writing this book, because it is written so well. Great movie too.

like · see review

Jun 12, 2011 Diamond Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Even though its been years since I read this book. I still can say what a great book it was. Disappearings acts is one of my favorite books that I can say, I read more than once. I wont spoil the book but, believe me when I say......you wont want to put it down.

like · see review

Mar 19, 2009 Shay rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Could not put this book down. It really shows an in-depth look at how easily two people can lose themselves (or disappear) in a serious relationship. She wonderfully shows both the male and female perspective. Brilliant.

like · see review

Mar 17, 2013 Andrea Bevier-wimbush rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I written an essay on this book while I was in School. This story stuck with me. Even though it has been over 10 years since I have read it I still can remember the story plot and for me that is good.

like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 Tina Payne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I hadn't read any romance related books before this. I thought I would read it due to hearing the title over and over in the past.

It kept me interested and the story wasn't bad either.

like · see review

May 04, 2010 Michael Jenkins rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-books

This is a amazing novel, however if you are not a fan of profanity than you are not going to like it. It told a good story and I related to some of the characters, it is worth reading.

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (13)

More editions...

Genres

Cultural > African American

30 users

Romance

12 users

American > African American Literature

5 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

5 users

Contemporary

3 users

Novels

3 users

Fantasy > Urban Fantasy

2 users

Literature

2 users

Romance > African American Romance

2 users

Female Authors

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Terry McMillan

Terry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was sixteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.

Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remai...more

More about Terry McMillan...

Books by Terry McMillan

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Disappearing Acts

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Disappearing Acts

“Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy – if not less of it – doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do.” — 2,642 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Disappearing Acts
avg rating	preview: Disappearing Acts Goodreads rating: 4.08 (5416 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/821154.Disappearing_Acts?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1178677836l/821154.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/821154.Disappearing_Acts?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan[/url]

Disappearing Acts

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website