books
February 18, 2026
The Disappearing Act by Maria Stepanova review
Written from exile after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this autofictional blend of memory and fable tracks a changing sense of self
TL;DR
- Novelist M is stranded in an unfamiliar town after traveling for a literary festival.
- She reflects on her past, her homeland (described as a "beast" at war), and the legacy of its language.
- M feels a sense of guilt and alienation, questioning her identity.
- She decides to leave her old life behind and join a travelling circus, seeking a fresh start.
- The narrative explores themes of identity, guilt, and the search for self after trauma.
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