This is a truly gorgeous story, full of the kind of characters that let you know that humanity isn't doomed after all. don't get me wrong, it has its share of heartbreak and villians but at the end I was left with such an uplifting feeling that lasted for days.
Margaret is awesome, it's impossible not to fall for her. She's your friends nan who always said the funniest things, she's the lady you see in Sainsbury (not surprising, she goes there pretty much every day!) with the tiny basket of the alone, she's the person everyone knows in the town...and some of them probably have a terrible nickname for her. But Margaret doesn't let that get to her, she just gets on with life, which is even more amazing when you learn how (at times) terrible her life has been. She's written with such care and love by Neil Alexander that his affection for Mabel, and the other people he met through Mencap, shines off every page like the like you see through windows of family homes on winter nights.
The story has some great laughs in it too and there is enough mystery in the thread of who 'C' is to keep you turning pages long after you should have stopped and, you know, gone to work or had something to eat or something.
Read this if your heart needs a hug

My review is based on an advance copy that I received from the publisher.
I was given the pleasure of reading this book by Netgalley!! This story is an emotional and touching one with Cilla magic sprinkled throughout!! Margaret is a lady with learning disabilities and despite her early horrid beginning to her life, she goes on to be a loving, caring person!! I loved Wayne as her support worker with a kind and nice personality!! Her story was well written over the decades to the present day!! I loved the ending!! I will be certainly recommending this book!!!!!

You, dear reader, will fall in love with Margaret Small, Margaret is 75, a die hard CIlla Black fan, a resident of Whitstable, and unable to read or write. She spends most of her days wandering around town, shopping in the local record store, and listening to music on her walkman.
She has a carer, Wayne, who comes over multiple times a week to help her perform various tasks and read her mail. Lately though, she's been receiving some letters just signed C, with lottery tickets, and 50 pound notes.

Margaret has had a very hard life. Institutionalized at a young age because she has learning difficulties, she spends 40 years in St. Mary's hospital, with some good years, but mostly bad. The author shines a light on this part of UK history that allowed you to put your child away, rather than try to help them overcome their learning disabilities. It's shocking and sad the level of abuse Margaret withstands at the hands of the nuns, but is able to make friends while in the home, but unfortunately one of these friends leads to an unwanted pregnancy.

Margaret reminded me a bit of Eleanor Oliphant, eccentric and grumpy, but well loved in the community. You are rooting for her to find out who is her mystery letter writer and to learn what happened to her in St. Mary's as she opens up and tells her story to Wayne. The end is heartwarming and revives your faith in humanity. You just wish she had some good luck early on in her life. Why didn't the hospital teach her to read and write, or any other life skills, before releasing her out on her own? Nevertheless, Margaret is a fighter and determined to find her way, gaining a new family in the process.

Margaret experiences cruelty as a child with learning disabilities in institutional care and some sections are tough to read, but her lovely nature shines through.
I loved reading of an adult with learning disabilities living in the community with a kind and supportive carer.. I felt the mystery element of the story was handled very well and brought tears to my eyes.

What a beautiful book. You cannot help but fall in love with Margaret and become so emotionally invested in her heartbreaking story. I felt the end a little rushed but I absolutely loved this book.

This was a good story! I have a feeling the audiobook will be even better for some reason. Four strong stars.

When Margaret Small was a child she was "vanished" -- moved to St. Mary's Hospital, which looked after those with learning difficulties or mental illnesses. She was kept there for most of her life until being released and living life under "care in the community". Her favorite musical artist Cilla Black has died and she starts receiving money in the mail with notes from "C". There is the mystery of who is sending her money, interspersed with memories of growing up and how cruelly life treated her. This was emotionally resonant and touching without being treacly or sentimental. Highly recommend.

Such an emotional and heart warming story. One of the best I’ve read in a while!

When Margaret was a young girl she was “vanished” from her grandmothers house to an institution which housed people with learning difficulties and mental illnesses where she remained for most of her life.
Soon after Cilla Black dies she starts receiving letters and cash gifts from a mystery person who signs them as C.

In trying to uncover who C is, the story tells of her experiences both positive and negative, and the friends she made along the way whilst growing up and living in St Mary’s hospital.

You want to reach in and hug Margaret! It’s a shocking reminder of how awful society was, and still can be when a condition is not understood but also how important the role of a support worker is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this wonderful book.

I don't really know what to say about this book other than it was an incredibly read that I finished in almost one sitting. It was funny, emotive and had me on the edge of my seat at times. I really enjoyed it.

My heart goes out to the Margarets of the world for the harsh and cruel treatment they received in places like St. Mary's, a hospital where children with disabilities were sent. This book is a well-written dual timeline with just enough mystery to keep me reading to find out who is sending Margaret gifts in the mail. This book may never make it to my favorite list, but still, it is an interesting read and definitely tugs at my heartstrings. Thanks to author Neil Alexander, Embla Books, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

It's not often that I rave about a book even when I give it 5* but The Vanishing of Margaret Small is one of them.

As a young child with learning difficulties who could neither read nor write, Margaret Small was incarcerated (vanished) in a home by her grandmother. After forty years and now aged 75 she lives an independent life as part of 'care in the community.' She wanders around her hometown of Whitstable eating an iced bun in her favourite cafe, rifling through LPs in a record shop, and being supported by her care worker. Margaret's idol is Cilla Black, who has recently died. But when Margaret receives notes signed C she thinks Cilla has returned to provide comfort to her.

I loved Margaret Small and was so moved by her cruel life, which I am sure wasn't unique. But this is a story also filled with hope and I rate this alongside another book devoted to an eccentric and loveable character, Eleanor Oliphant (is Completely Fine). I wish Margaret Small every success! Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the opportunity to read and review this delightful tale.

Not one for me it turns out - DNF'd quite quickly.

As with all DNF's I rate 3* as it is not a fair rating otherwise.

When Margaret Small was 7 years old the Rat Catcher came and stole her away. Margaret is “vanished” to St. Mary’s Hospital because she was different, and different people need to be looked after. Margaret remained there for almost forty years. Her one constant was her love of singer Cilla Black, Now at 75 she is living on her own, her idol has died. But strangely, someone begins sending her gifts of money with mysterious notes, signed simply 'C'. Is it Cilla? Is she back, providing Margaret the comfort she always felt when listening to Cilla sing? And the memories of all those years come flooding back.

The Vanishing of Margaret Small is a delightful book. The plot is very interesting, following Margaret’s journey through dual timelines, as she navigates in a world she has been forced into. A world that is often cruel, but in which she finds so many small joys, friendship, and love.

Margaret is such a unique character with so many facets. She is charming, sweet, tough, and practical. And while the character is labeled with a learning disability, the author has also imbued her with an innate intelligence, awareness and deep sensitivity.

A memorable story told with great sensitivity.

ARC received from Embla Books via NetGalley.

Not often do I feel something about every character in a book, but this was one of those times. The story was well written, touching but not to the point of feeling forced or sappy and every bit, from every time period covered, felt like it "just fit" perfectly.

This is absolutely one of those books you read if you like books that you continue to think about, long after you've put it down.

Goodness me, where do I even begin to review this read?

Firstly, huge praise to the author for tackling so many difficult subject matters in one book, and handling them so sensitively. Most importantly, hats off for the MC having a learning difficulty, and shining a light on people who cannot read or write. Great to show support workers in a good way too- they often don't receive the credit they deserve.

I can't remember the last time I felt such an emotional connection to a character. I started off being fascinated by the 2015 storyline and the gorgeous descriptions of Whitstable. Then, as we span through the decades, the 60s is where it totally captured my heart.

Margaret in some ways sees life through a simple lens, but this is so delicate and complex, it makes for superb reading. I know that Margaret will definitely not vanish from my mind for a very long time.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Embla Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Emotional read that will break your heart

The Vanishing of Margaret Small
by Neil Alexander

Description
Meet Margaret Small: 75, plain spoken and a Cilla Black super fan. Shortly after the death of her idol, Margaret begins receiving sums of money in the post, signed simply 'C'.

She is convinced it must be Cilla, but how can it be? To solve the mystery of her benefactor Margaret must go back in her memories of almost 70 years, to the time when she 'vanished' to a long-stay institution for children with learning disabilities.

An absorbing and page-turning mystery with a dual timeline, The Vanishing of Margaret Small takes readers into a fascinating past and introduces an unforgettable literary heroine.

This was the best book I have read in a very long time. IT will break your heart, make you cry and smile and just know what a wonderful woman Margaret Small was. She truly was someone I wanted toknow.I loved it.