Author Julia Phillips - Disappearing Earth

Shelf Life

If you love magical stories as much as I do, then you HAVE to read 'Disappearing Earth' by Julia Phillips. Published in May 2019, 'Disappearing Earth' was on dozens of must-read lists for 2019. It’s no surprise that ‘Disappearing Earth’ was a National Book Award finalist and is considered a ‘nearly flawless novel’ by the NY Times. The book, set on Kamchatka, a Siberian peninsula in far East Russia, begins with the abduction of two sisters. Weeks go by and the police are unable to find the young girls and their disappearance is greatly felt by the community on the peninsula, particularly its women. The chapters, titled by month, feature the different women who have direct and indirect connections to the missing sisters. And although these women share a fear and loss, each story is beautifully unique and each character stays with you long after their story is first told. I absolutely loved ‘Disappearing Earth’ and had the best time talking with Julia about my favourite chapters, what inspires her writing, and learning about her experience as a Fulbright scholar which allowed her to live and study in Kamchatka. A magical episode that I hope you enjoy! Buy 'Disappearing Earth' here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/disappearing-earth/julia-phillips/9781471169496 Julia's website: https://www.juliaphillipswrites.com/