I have learned that this can be a very polarizing book, with some readers absolutely loving the book, the characters, and the ambience, with others feeling that the characters lacked depth and relatability, and Unfortunately, I am in the latter half. I didn't connect with the characters, who seem shallow and self-absorbed. The story wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be, considering it's listed as a "thriller," and I just didn't really enjoy this one.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good mystery drama novel. Highly recommend

I truly loved this book. I think if you like suspense, then you might like this title. What happens? And why? You find out...

All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.
—Richard Avedon, In the American West

I cannot imagine a better quote to begin this incredible story; not only is it an interesting ideal in itself, it describes life and this incredible story in ways that won't make sense until the end, which is a literary technique that I absolutely love.

When I first encountered this novel, my eyes began to scan the synopsis just as yours did, and I knew I had to jump to snag a copy. A tale that promises a psychological puzzle AND a large dose of artistic perspective woven in? Yes please!

The Vanishing Point is told through the point of view of five characters over the span of twenty plus years and whose lives are intertwined in ways that complicate all of their lives. Usually, I'm a little nervous when authors try to attempt more than three alternating narrators, however Elizabeth Brundage did a wonderful job of weaving through the various characters minds seamlessly and I doubt the story would be anywhere near as amazing if she had approached in any other way.

This is not a fast-paced heart pumping novel. This is a slow burn that seduces you with the most beautiful narrative I've come across in a long time. Her sentences are perfect; Elizabeth Brundage has an incredible ability to describe the most simple, mundane thing in an almost poetic way so you don't mind the leisurely pace in the beginning.

Dramatic, tragic, beautiful and unnerving this novel is a must read for anyone who can appreciate a character and atmosphere driven novel.

Thank you so much to netgalley and publishers for providing an e-copy for me to share my honest opinion.

This book was well written and interesting at points. It was ultimately a very slow read for me and I didn't care about the characters so there every thought ended up being too much. It probably would be better for someone else

THE VANISHING POINT
BY ELIZABETH BRUNDAGE

Elizabeth Brundage is hands down easily my favorite Author. Her latest novel called, "The Vanishing Point," is breathtaking in its depiction of the human condition. She writes eloquently and one of her hallmark features is her eye for writing stellar character development. I was so excited to discover that she has published a new novel which not only captures the nuances of what skills it takes to be a talented photographer; She is superbly in a class all by herself when it comes to understanding the landscape of the emotions that make up the humanity. She captures in her latest offering some of the less desirable but every bit realistic some gritty themes such as that huge green monster of obsessive jealousy and drug addiction. There is also a love story and vivid details of photography and the historical evolution of the different types of cameras and film used in the past. The illusion of being happily married until one realizes it is merely the feeling of contentment. She has an absolute talent for writing her scenes with vivid imagery that intoxicates the reader into becoming so immersed in the narrative as to feel to this reader that I was inserted into this story experiencing it center stage beside her characters.

Elizabeth Brundage is at the top of her game in this novel which by the way has chosen the perfect title for her latest novel. For anybody that understands photography realizes that when a portrait or snapshot that is viewed through the lenses of the person who is taking the picture it is an image frozen in time and is as unique as any snowflake. She has thoroughly researched her material for this exquisite story as evidenced in her breathtaking quotations that preface each section made by history's most famous photographers. I think that this book might just be her strongest work yet.

It is entirely coincidental that I have recently re-read two of her previous works before I was approved to read and review this one. I had requested "The Vanishing Point," and didn't get notification of it being made available to read and review for quite some time. I have read every single book ever published by Elizabeth Brundage after receiving an Advanced Reader's Copy to review her last book called, "All Things Cease to Appear," which I loved and sent me on my quest to read all of her former novels. Of all of her books excluding this one, I discovered through my second reading that "Somebody Else's Daughter," was my favorite even though I loved all of her previous books. Until my second reading's I thought that I loved the former two equally as they are both vastly different from one another and quite distinct. They are both excellent and stand out but besides this one my favorite is the latter one. She also wrote the impressive novel called, "The Doctor's Wife," and "A Stranger Like You."

In my humble opinion, I don't understand some of the other reviewer's underestimating the brilliance and stunning appeal of this author's latest achievement. It absolutely captures the scope of what it takes to be successful photographer in the intricate descriptions of Rye Adler's candid photographs that catapults him to fame and his success. In stark contrast, Rye has no clue how his temporary roommate Julian Ladd is so utterly compulsively jealous of him but Rye notices the lack of people whom his former classmate chooses to omit from his photographs because Julian doesn't appreciate how interesting they are and their relevance as subjects being captured and frozen in time. They both attended the prestigious Brodsky Workshop together at the same time. They both are interested in a third student of the famous Workshop who is a young Polish first generation immigrant named Magda. Julian doesn't possess Rye's raw talent at photography and settles for a job in advertising. Rye is gifted and never even realizes the potent competitor and the envy that consumes Julian. Julian wants everything that Rye has that comes naturally to him without him even trying, including Magda. In Magda, Brundage creates the stark realities that women in photography had to deal with at the time which unfairly favored men in achieving commercial success despite how talented women photographer's were. Women were certainly a minority when it came to getting hired to work for the major publications and earning the same fame and monetary success as the men during this time period. There is a bibliography in the Acknowledgements section that lists resources that were used to research this arena which reflects the authenticity of the inequalities women faced.

As I said earlier in this review, Elizabeth Brundage excels in character development but make no mistake the plotting of this was magnificent. This novel succeeds at every level and there is much more in the storytelling that drives this novel forward. I have left out a significant amount of the plot to avoid spoilers, but there is a great deal more which is quite intriguing. From the opening pages this very creative missive of breathtaking prose held me completely captive not wanting to put this down and kept me immersed turning the pages. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it as it is already available. I would also highly recommend reading all of Ms. Brundage's previous novels as well. She is a graduate of the very highly acclaimed Iowa Writers' Workshop from which she earned her MFA and also a James Michener Award. I have always noticed in my reading experience that those who graduate from there tend to create outstanding literary achievements that are timeless and unforgettable. I really loved this novel, "The Vanishing Point." I also loved the unpredictable and outstanding ending to this novel from which was totally unexpected and a happy surprise. I am only disappointed that since I have already read all of her four previous novels that I have to wait until she writes her next one. Usually when I read something I love I am rewarded knowing I can enjoy an Author's previous work.

Publication Date: May 18, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Elizabeth Brundage and Little, Brown and Company for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheVanishingPoint #ElizabethBrundage #LittleBrownandCompany #NetGalley

Listened to this on a road trip. After loving, All Things Cease to Appear by this author I was anxious for her next. Sadly I was very disappointed. I wanted a psychological thriller with an art connections and while this started out in that vein I found the Art--photography--had little to do with actual story. Two young men meet at a famous Photography workshop and both fall in love with a young woman who is also attending. One young man becomes famous, the other commercializes his art by taking a job in advertising and makes money but is not famous and loses the Art aspect that the other man's photographs are famous for. The young woman remains pivotal in both of their lives. The story begins at the funeral of the famous photographer but his body has not been found and it is believed he committed suicide. This is the obvious mystery: is he alive?, did he commit suicide or was he murdered and why? From their we move back and forth in time to explain how our three main characters paths crossed and to explain the event that opened the story and its aftermath.
It was far from a thriller and I found most of the conversations and action boring and rather banal. There was little here that had not been done and said many times before. Even the end felt less than satisfying and the moment of tension flat. Wanted to love it and did make it all the way through but in all I felt it was not even close the to enjoyment I had found in her previous book.

A well done story about an obsessive rivalry between two famous photographers, one a famous artist and the other a frustrated Ansel Adam's gent who works in advertising. The artsy dude disappears and is thought to be dead....or is he? Thoughtfully done and only marred by a slightly flawed ending.

What an insightful, beautiful, brilliant novel. This is one of the best books that I've read in awhile and I savored every word! I loved how descriptive the author is and can't wait to read more books by them!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown & Company for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

In her latest mystery, Elizabeth Brundage tells her story from the perspective of 5 characters as their lives intersect in a soap opera-ish type of way.

The characters in this book have earned my disgust and ultimately I will not be talking to any of them at the next photography exhibit.

In all seriousness, I did like the concept of " looking through the lens" at how people behave and think. I can even get past the idea that I didn't really like or connect to any of the characters. However, I found the plot a little too slow for my liking and I felt unaffected by the ending.




Publication Date 18/05/21
Goodreads review 16/06/21

#TheVanishingPoint #NetGalley

Book Review for The Vanishing Point

Full feature for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

As a huge fan of All Things Cease to Disappear, I was ready to be swept away by The Vanishing Point. Unfortunately, this novel is not for me. Brundage is a beautiful, insightful writer and I know many people will love this book. Currently, I am just uninterested in reading about the internal struggles of men wrestling with their ambition and their egos, their battles over an enigmatic, careless woman. There is a lot of gorgeous and thoughtful writing about the philosophy of photography, the act of seeing, capturing, considering images and I think readers who are also photographers will particularly enjoy this title. I will continue to follow Brundage and give her next one a try.

A stunning entry in the crowded thriller genre. This is a recommended first purchase for all public fiction collections.

This book was a letdown in many ways. It wasn’t clear or consistent in what it was trying to get at and I almost didn’t finish it. Shame- it had a lot of potential.

Julian Ladd and Ryan Adler were roommates at a famous photography workshop as young adults. They were never truly friends. There was always an undertone of competition between the two of them and jealousy when one had something the other wanted.

This book picks up many years later when Julian reads that Ryan has passed away. Even though they were never close, he's drawn to the funeral.

The Vanishing Point was a beautifully written novel that blends past and present events with a bit of a mystery. There are events that aren't exactly what they appear and the reader can't take anything at face value.

The Vanishing Point was a wonderful read that was even more than I originally anticipated.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

4.5 stars, rounded up

“Photographers are always dealing with things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.”
Henri Cartier-Bresson
This book appealed to me for two reasons. I had enjoyed Brundage’s prior book, All Things Cease to Appear, and I’m a huge fan of photography. The book concerns two photographers that meet at an exclusive photography workshop when they’re in their twenties. One goes on to become famous, the other never makes it. Now, the first, Rye Adler, is dead, an apparent suicide. But his body is never recovered.
The book is about relationships, parenthood, finding meaning in life, trust, envy and addiction. Chapters alternate between five characters, including Julian, the photographer who gave up and went into advertising and Rye. We see how their lives all intertwine. This is a dark story and it gets darker the further along it goes. Success certainly doesn’t guarantee happiness. None of the characters are easy people to like, especially the more we learn about them. Yet, I still felt a lot of sympathy for all of them. I found myself worrying about them.
It’s a beautifully written book, one meant to be savored. I was engrossed by the descriptions of what it means to be a photographer, how one sees the world, the philosophy of photography, if you will. It dragged a little in the middle, but the ending was perfect - messy like real life, filled with love. It was interesting to read the Acknowledgments and see that Brundage set out to write a book about photography and what it means as a metaphor for our times.
Warning - This is one of those books that eschews quotation marks.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for an advance copy of this book.

I first discovered Elizabeth Brundage quite by accident, as a result of my fondness for used and second-hand books. I found a tattered copy of The Doctor’s Wife and immediately fell in love with her beautiful prose, so stunning, in fact, that the incredible plot felt like a second gift.

So, when I read that she had a new book coming out, I knew I had to read it. I am so glad that I did.

•Vanishing points are the points at which lines appear to converge•

The Vanishing Point is a novel about all the ways we can be changed by feelings - even those we may not be aware exist. It is about the intersections and cross-sections of our lives, our memories, and our secrets. It is a dissection of jealousy, perceived ownership, and the lies that we tell ourselves even more than those we try to sell others. It is a sermon on a mother’s love and her absolute willingness to sacrifice everything for her child, her heart beating outside her body, her very soul made flesh.

It is also a language unto itself. It is immersive and entangling and bold, sucking you under in the most ravishing and lovely ways and wringing you out on some distant shore, hours passed without notice.

I spend a great deal of my time locked into a book, but Elizabeth Brundage writes the ones to which I hope the key gets lost.

“I am trying to get lost again.” ~Dorothea Lange

5/5 ✨, remarkable, staggering, outstanding.

THE VANISHING POINT is recommended for fans of literary fiction. The mystery at the story's heart is finely crafted, although this isn't a particularly fast-paced narrative. Brundage excels at character development and it's fascinating to see how past decisions reverberate in the present.

Lots of good juicy twists and turns written in signature style. A great escape for the afternoon in this crazy world that we are now living in.

"Envy eats nothing but its own heart." (Proverb)

Elizabeth Brundage presents a well-crafted voyage into the streams coursing through the hearts of two completely different individuals. Fate seems to bring people together under the oddest of circumstances and then rushes them out to sea in opposing waves.

The Vanishing Point begins simply with a brief obituary tucked into the corner of a newspaper. Julian Ladd instantly recognizes the name. There's a history here. Julian runs his finger over the name. He and Rye Adler attended the famous Brodsky Photography Workshop together over twenty years ago. Julian knew in an instant that Rye possessed a talent that hovered within his nature. A talent that needed no instruction. Rye had a vision that few could even imagine.

And even at different ends of life's tangent, Julian and Rye, oddly, became roommates in a small apartment in New York City while attending the workshop. Julian was the observer of Rye's success. No matter what effort he put into the workshop, he would never attain Rye's status. And at the core of this strange pairing is a woman.........the beautiful and talented Magda who captures the stillness of the human experience with her camera lens.

Magda, born in Poland, came to New York as a child. There were still hints of a Polish accent so many years later. She embellished her wardrobe with flowing gypsy skirts that competed with the deep waves of her long hair. Magda would be long remembered by these two men and the immense impact that she would have on their lives.

Julian feels compelled to attend the funeral for Rye even after all these years. The obituary hints at a possible suicide. The truly artistic ones seem to have a restless spirit. And it is here that Julian will meet Rye's wife, Simone. Simone lectures at a local college. She and Rye lived out in the country, although Rye's photography took him on long trips around the world. Brundage does a remarkable job in her portrayal of the lonely Simone who has dedicated herself to the wandering Rye. Simone is deeply carved and bruised by her life's choices.

Prepare yourself for The Vanishing Point. There is a knotted thread of mystery wrapped around this one. All is not what it appears. And we will find that to be so true as these characters stand rigidly in the same shadowy circle twenty years later. There are darkly guarded secrets between them that will climax with a loud crescendo at the end. Elizabeth Brundage has a particular talent for sculpting her characters within a beacon of light at just the right moments. Keep an eye out for The Vanishing Point as it comes out in May 2021. It's one not to be missed.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Little, Brown and Company and to Elizabeth Brundage for the opportunity.