Vanishing Act by Richard Alexander

[Ranai]

As I have just added my comments on the story to the reviews, I'll take the opportunity to resurrect this thread. Vanishing Act is a truly outstanding story. The plot is suspenseful, the narrative flows well, and Richard Alexander deserves admiration for his style.

And, will wonders never cease... Vanishing Act is a plausible nc story.

Wishful thinking has its rightful place in the realm of sexual fantasies. That's why there are so many fanciful tales in the 'nonconsensual-with-inbuilt-denial' genre. With characters who get subjected to all sorts of activities against their will, and in retrospect declare themselves ever so happy about the entire nc proceedings, because after all they forced them to become the slaves they were meant to be, right...? (And yes, the nc-with-inbuilt-denial genre exists with all sorts of gender codes.)

In Vanishing Act, by contrast, there is wishful thinking, yes – but not in the plot. It's in the mind of a very special character. The narrator's point of view dissects those lies. And shows how one person's delusion causes the other person's suffering. (Though in the case of this particular narrator, neither total loss of hope nor total loss of courage.) A physical or mental breakdown, or death, would have been plausible too. But not contentment, devotion and gratitude, the ingredients of a retrospective denial plot.

My comments are not meant to discourage any writers or readers from indulging in the 'nc-&-denial' vein to their heart's content. Fantasies are valid as fantasies and should be enjoyed! As long as wishful thinking fiction is recognised as what it is. Vanishing Act is for those desirous to take a break from wishful thinking tales by means of excellent storytelling.