The Disappearance (Bison Frontiers of Imagination) (Paperback)

~ Philip Wylie (Author), (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the most harrowing chronicles of disaster that our age of anxiety has produced."-New York Times Book Review (New York Times Book Review )

Product Description

“The female of the species vanished on the afternoon of the second Tuesday of February at four minutes and fifty-two seconds past four o'clock, Eastern Standard Time. The event occurred universally at the same instant, without regard to time belts, and was followed by such phenomena as might be expected after happenings of that nature.”

 

On a lazy, quiet afternoon, in the blink of an eye, our world shatters into two parallel universes as men vanish from women and women from men. After families and loved ones separate from one another, life continues in very different ways for men and women, boys and girls. An explosion of violence sweeps one world that still operates technologically; social stability and peace in the other are offset by famine and a widespread breakdown in machinery and science. And as we learn from the fascinating parallel stories of a brilliant couple, Bill and Paula Gaunt, the foundations of relationships, love, and sex are scrutinized, tested, and sometimes redefined in both worlds. The radically divergent trajectories of the gendered histories reveal stark truths about the rigidly defined expectations placed on men and women and their sexual relationships and make clear how much society depends on interconnection between the sexes.

 

Written over a half century ago yet brimming with insight and unsettling in its relevance today, The Disappearance is a masterpiece of modern speculative fiction.

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Product Details Paperback: 407 pages Publisher: Bison Books (October 1, 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 0803298412 ISBN-13: 978-0803298415 Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #6 in  Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Silverberg, Robert

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews 5 star:  (18) 4 star:  (3) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 12 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY back in print, January 5, 2005 By  Writerdana "Dana" (Northeast USA) - See all my reviews One of the most remarkable novels ever written, The Disappearance must have caused a sensation in 1951 when it first appeared. I won't belabor the plot, because others have already recounted it. But its frank analysis of the way in which our society separates men and women, teaches children to be ashamed of their bodies, teaches men and women NOT to fulfill their potentials and destinies but to fill the paths set down by our narrowminded forebears, is every bit as poignant today as it was then. Wylie's two protagonists -- Bill Gaunt the philosopher and is wife Paula -- a PhD in languages -- are three-dimensional and fascinating. His assessment of the world of men without women disintegrating into lawlessness is frighteningly real. His world of women discovering that very few of their number have been trained in the rudiments of running the society is sobering. And although women have come a long way in that respect since 1951, the glass ceiling still exists. The perception of the "role" of women or men in a particular situation hasn't gone away. The whole story is told with insight and a wicked sense of humor. Just look at his picture of the wives of the government officials trying to run the government of women. Unfortunately, politicians do not always choose wives for their intelligence but for a host of other attributes and skills that do not help them to cope with the catastrophe. And the showdown between the American and Soviet women will leave you breathless and laughing. To me, the best example of the way Wylie chose to tell this story is Chapter 13, which does not further the plot at all. Bill Gaunt is asked by the President and a committee of scientists and other thinkers to prepare an essay assessing what it all means. Chapter 13 is that essay. Even the title of the chapter lets impatient readers know that if they skip it, they will lose none of the sense of the story. DON"T SKIP IT!! Not for the faint of heart, but DEFINITELY for the inquiring mind. Those of us who have already read this one (several times) are pleased it is back in print so we can replace the lop-eared copies we have been reading for years. Note to Hollywood: Wouldn't this make a fascinating subject for a movie? Probably not. Its subtleties and interweaving of plots and events would go beyond Hollywood's ability to translate it without succumbing to the temptation to mess with it. So I guess we'll just have to read it again. One cautionary note: Be aware that the novel does have one bit of baggage that is left over from the time it was written. Its Cold War politics may seem out of place today, but it carries the story forward. Aside from that small anachronism (from our point of view), the novel could have been written yesterday. If you've never heard of this one, give it a chance. You'll be as amazed as I was. 11 of 12 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars I Finally Found A Copy!!!, May 31, 2001 By  Jane McArthur (Hollywood, FL United States) - See all my reviews This review is from: The Disappearance (Hardcover) I am posting this since I had written a review earlier in the year. After much searching on the web and waiting, I found a copy in an out-of-print bookstore in New Jersey. I am embarassed to say I paid $162.00 for a hardbound copy in good condition. I received it last week and could hardly wait to read it again. I just finished it and found that I remembered not only the characters, but most of the scenarios and even some of the words. It was just as timely last week as it was the first time I read it about 40 years ago. The ideas are still as intriguing as ever and it is amazing to think about how little we have really progressed since this was written. Can you run a power plant? I will never lend my copy to anyone again unless I sit with them while they read it!!!!!! 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book and would buy another copy if available., March 17, 1999 By A Customer This review is from: The Disappearance (Hardcover) I read this book once only about 40 years ago and had always intended to read it again. Unfortunately, my paperback fell apart after some 30 moves and four different countries and was basically beyond repair as whole chunks of pages went missing. I loved it and at the time, not being aware of the genre, didn't even know it classified as Science Fiction. The Disappearance ranks with Finley Wren, by the same author, as two of the finest books I've ever read. The issue of the separation of the sexes was novel then and remains a novel idea today. I have not seen the notion duplicated in any other novel and certainly nothing with the style of Philip Wylie. I would dearly love to buy another copy to read again. Incidentally, even though it's been some 40 years since I read it, I still remember much of the story vividly, which is more than one can say for some of the more forgettable novels around today.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars When are we going to get together? Philip Wylie got into a lot of trouble with Generation of Vipers. He wrote that he wished he had never written it. But his one, I glad he wrote this one. Read more Published 1 month ago by Meredith Folsom 4.0 out of 5 stars memories I read this book when I was about 10. I had remembered the premise of it, but not the name or author. Read more Published 15 months ago by Wilma G. Powell 5.0 out of 5 stars Vanishing Points For some years I was familiar with the name Philip Wylie as one of the authors of the disaster story "When Worlds Collide". Read more Published on May 9, 2006 by Greg Hughes 4.0 out of 5 stars Still a Very Good Read Having just finished the book, I can heartily recommend it for its prescience and message. The ending is especially fitting and uplifting. Read more Published on December 8, 2004 by asfhgwt 3.0 out of 5 stars DISAPPOINTING There's good reason this book is out of print. Wylie's story, THE DISAPPEARANCE, doesn't stand the test of time. Read more Published on July 9, 2004 by Worldreels 5.0 out of 5 stars Please reprint!!!!! I read Philip Wylie's The Disappearance about 40 years ago. I am currently rereading it from my original paperback copy which has been held together with rubber bands. Read more Published on February 24, 2002 5.0 out of 5 stars I Still Remember Almost Every Detail... I first read this book about 40 years ago and loved it (read it at least 10 times while I had it in my possession)... Read more Published on February 14, 2001 by Jane McArthur 4.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable I'm one of these people that forgets a book shortly after I've read it. There are very few that stick in my mind, but The Disappearance by Wylie has remained memorable for over... Read more Published on May 24, 2000 by Renee C. Weintrob 5.0 out of 5 stars Should be read by all! This book made me think about our place in the world and in society. It brought to light just how much we depend on each other and did so in an intelligent, insightful way. Read more Published on July 14, 1999 5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book, written by a wise man born before his time A co-worker loaned me his copy of The Disappearance, and I was blown away. This is a book that could be read to children, and can be enjoyed by both sexes at all ages. Read more Published on April 8, 1999 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 407 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803298412
• ISBN-13: 978-0803298415
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #164,892 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #6 in

  Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( S ) > Silverberg, Robert

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY back in print, January 5, 2005

By	Writerdana "Dana" (Northeast USA) - See all my reviews

One of the most remarkable novels ever written, The Disappearance must have caused a sensation in 1951 when it first appeared. I won't belabor the plot, because others have already recounted it. But its frank analysis of the way in which our society separates men and women, teaches children to be ashamed of their bodies, teaches men and women NOT to fulfill their potentials and destinies but to fill the paths set down by our narrowminded forebears, is every bit as poignant today as it was then.

Wylie's two protagonists -- Bill Gaunt the philosopher and is wife Paula -- a PhD in languages -- are three-dimensional and fascinating. His assessment of the world of men without women disintegrating into lawlessness is frighteningly real. His world of women discovering that very few of their number have been trained in the rudiments of running the society is sobering. And although women have come a long way in that respect since 1951, the glass ceiling still exists. The perception of the "role" of women or men in a particular situation hasn't gone away.

The whole story is told with insight and a wicked sense of humor. Just look at his picture of the wives of the government officials trying to run the government of women. Unfortunately, politicians do not always choose wives for their intelligence but for a host of other attributes and skills that do not help them to cope with the catastrophe. And the showdown between the American and Soviet women will leave you breathless and laughing.

To me, the best example of the way Wylie chose to tell this story is Chapter 13, which does not further the plot at all. Bill Gaunt is asked by the President and a committee of scientists and other thinkers to prepare an essay assessing what it all means. Chapter 13 is that essay. Even the title of the chapter lets impatient readers know that if they skip it, they will lose none of the sense of the story. DON"T SKIP IT!!

Not for the faint of heart, but DEFINITELY for the inquiring mind. Those of us who have already read this one (several times) are pleased it is back in print so we can replace the lop-eared copies we have been reading for years.

Note to Hollywood: Wouldn't this make a fascinating subject for a movie? Probably not. Its subtleties and interweaving of plots and events would go beyond Hollywood's ability to translate it without succumbing to the temptation to mess with it. So I guess we'll just have to read it again.

One cautionary note: Be aware that the novel does have one bit of baggage that is left over from the time it was written. Its Cold War politics may seem out of place today, but it carries the story forward. Aside from that small anachronism (from our point of view), the novel could have been written yesterday.

If you've never heard of this one, give it a chance. You'll be as amazed as I was.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Finally Found A Copy!!!, May 31, 2001

By	Jane McArthur (Hollywood, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Disappearance (Hardcover)

I am posting this since I had written a review earlier in the year. After much searching on the web and waiting, I found a copy in an out-of-print bookstore in New Jersey. I am embarassed to say I paid $162.00 for a hardbound copy in good condition. I received it last week and could hardly wait to read it again. I just finished it and found that I remembered not only the characters, but most of the scenarios and even some of the words. It was just as timely last week as it was the first time I read it about 40 years ago. The ideas are still as intriguing as ever and it is amazing to think about how little we have really progressed since this was written. Can you run a power plant? I will never lend my copy to anyone again unless I sit with them while they read it!!!!!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book and would buy another copy if available., March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Disappearance (Hardcover)

I read this book once only about 40 years ago and had always intended to read it again. Unfortunately, my paperback fell apart after some 30 moves and four different countries and was basically beyond repair as whole chunks of pages went missing. I loved it and at the time, not being aware of the genre, didn't even know it classified as Science Fiction. The Disappearance ranks with Finley Wren, by the same author, as two of the finest books I've ever read. The issue of the separation of the sexes was novel then and remains a novel idea today. I have not seen the notion duplicated in any other novel and certainly nothing with the style of Philip Wylie. I would dearly love to buy another copy to read again. Incidentally, even though it's been some 40 years since I read it, I still remember much of the story vividly, which is more than one can say for some of the more forgettable novels around today.