The Disappeared

My first 5 star read of 2024. I went into reading this book with high expectations, knowing that the inspiration for the story was based on real-life events, and the heartache and pain that came after them. Rebecca Sanford does a beautiful job bringing these events to light. The history was written with the respect and knowledge it deserved.

Following the military coup and subsequent Dirty War of Argentina (1974-1983) the life of Esma is turned upside down when her daughter Lorena and son-in-law José are taken in the middle of the night by junta officers. She and other mothers like her risk their lives to find their missing children and grandchildren.

Covering themes of social justice, activism, family hardship and the power of identity, I adored every page of this book. Sandford has a beautiful way of writing characters that are compelling and strong, it had me weeping and cheering for the characters all on the same bus ride home.

Sanford has created characters that you can truly root for, and knowing that the people on the page are based on women in real life makes the book all the more invigorating to read. I couldn't recommend it enough!

"The Disappeared" is a poignant and gripping narrative that unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of Argentina's military dictatorship. Inspired by the real stories of the Plaza de Mayo mothers and grandmothers, the novel delves into the heart-wrenching experiences of Lorena Ledesma and her mother Esme, who courageously confront the regime's brutality in their quest for truth.

Set in 1976 Buenos Aires, the story follows Lorena, a housewife with dangerous secrets, and her husband as they are violently separated from their home by the paramilitary forces. The absence of any record of their arrest sets the stage for a riveting exploration of the harrowing disappearances during this dark period in Argentina's history.

Esme's journey, as she joins an underground group of mothers seeking their missing children, adds a compelling layer to the narrative. The discovery that some of the kidnapped daughters have given birth in prison propels the story into a new pursuit—the search for stolen grandchildren.

The novel seamlessly weaves together the threads of Lorena's past and the present-day revelation for American adoptee Rachel Sprague. As Rachel uncovers her origins, the narrative skillfully exposes painful family secrets that could jeopardize her loved ones.

The strength of "The Disappeared" lies in its ability to blend personal stories with the broader historical context. The three-decade-spanning drama provides a comprehensive exploration of the characters' lives, making it a profoundly moving read. The risk of exposing painful family secrets adds an element of suspense, ensuring the narrative remains gripping throughout.

With an award-winning debut, the author captures the resilience and determination of those who endured decades of hardship to expose the truth. "The Disappeared" is a powerful testament to the human spirit, offering an emotional and enlightening journey that lingers in the reader's heart.

I thought this was a great read on a topic that I knew very little about before reading the book. While the story is fiction, I did feel like I learned a great deal.

The Disappeared by Rebecca J. Sanford is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that I enjoyed.

The story is set in Argentina in the 1970's. The topics of unrest and unbearable tragedy are explored. The main characters Loriena, Esme and Matias.

This story is inspired by the mothers and grandmothers who spoke against Argentina's dictatorship.

The research the author did is outstanding.

This is a well written heart-wrenching novel that opened my eyes to a history I did not know about.

This is a haunting story based on real events in 1970s Argentina. The military dictatorship dealt with opponents by making them disappear. Pregnant women were allowed to birth their babies which were not delivered to their families. Eye-opening story about life under an evil government.

The Disappeared by Rebecca Sanford is a poignant and deeply moving novel that intertwines the lives of two women across continents and decades, against the backdrop of Argentina’s Dirty War. Lorena Ledesma, abducted during the military dictatorship, and American adoptee Rachel Sprague, on a quest to uncover her roots, form the heart of this narrative. Sanford skillfully navigates themes of identity, family secrets, and the enduring bonds of maternal love, drawing inspiration from the real-life courage of Argentina’s mothers and grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo. The novel’s dual narrative structure captivates with its emotional depth and historical resonance, offering a compelling exploration of loss, resilience, and the search for truth. The Disappeared is a testament to Sanford’s storytelling prowess, delivering a gripping tale that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the final page.

✨️ I loved it. A dark time in history, I hadn't known about. Heartbreaking and honest account of mother's fierce love for their children. Story unfolds through the past and the present seamlessly with gripping mystery throughout. Emotional depth of suffering in everyone's lives is heartbreaking, yet their courage has profound influence on readers. Stories of other mothers were equally heartbreaking as Esme. The truest example of motherhood. Thanks a lot to the author for bringing this story forward in such a respectful and encouraging way. The ending is perfect, inspiring, and hopeful. Impressive writing style with excellent storytelling. I got goosebumps reading some of the scenes. A brilliant debut by the author. Highly recommended. Thanks a lot to the author, @Netgalley , and Blackstone Publishing for providing an eARC.

I love to learn anything new about a country's history that I never learned about in school. This book is based on real events that happened from the 1970s to about 1983 in Argentina where people were kidnapped to "prevent political and civil unrest". Many of these people that disappeared are never to be seen again. A group of mothers and grandmothers (that are STILL operating today) work timelessly to find these lost souls.

This book gives us a fictional woman Rachel who was adopted and she might be a baby of one of the disappeared. She gets to learn the truth about her life and finally makes some decisions for herself. She gets to find a family she didn't know about. This book was so sad and emotional.