Shugar, Dana R. (1995). Separatism and Women's Community. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. p.27. ISBN 978-0-8032-4244-9. Her story takes a few unforeseen directions (and some you can see coming). It's a good look into some hard truths about our social care system. And ultimately an uplifting story about a woman treated badly but coming out the other side with her dignity and humour intact.

My favorite quote in the book is: “Don’t judge yourself the way others judged you in the past.” It can apply to many of us in many situations. This comes from Wayne, who is Margaret’s support worker. He lives up to his role. Laughlin, Kathleen A.; Castledine, Jacqueline (2011). Breaking the Wave: Women, Their Organizations, and Feminism, 1945-1985. Oxon: Routledge. p.235. ISBN 978-0-415-87397-0.

Waseem Ahmed, former History BA and Early Modern History MA at University of Birmingham, presently History PhD, UCL

I gave in under this heavy interrogation. Who wouldn’t? And Marga, in turn, offered an empathetic ear, listened, shared stories, and reassured me that what I was going through, well, it happens and I’ll get through it. I had been going through weeks of feeling like every conversation was so stilted and fake because I was talking with my colleagues – my friends – about everything other than the most important thing going on for me. Somehow, by the end of this relatively brief conversation with Marga, it just felt … normal. Like maybe I could talk with people about my crisis, mention it, even if just in passing, after all. I have reflected a lot on what a kind thing it was that she did for me and how courageous it is to press someone like that – I don’t think I’d have it in me to do it, to be honest. There is a twist towards the end of the book, it did not come as a surprise to me. I was pretty sure I had figured it out along the way. But that did not detract from the story at all. Throughout, I only wanted the best for Margaret. But, then, I found out that I had not figured it out. What a lovely surprise! The real twist was way better than what I had in mind. Close to the end, we were told Margaret’s birth date. I’d like to think this is why I felt that she was so special to me. My own daughter was born on Margaret’s birthday.This was a lovely book, I thoroughly enjoyed it, although it was quite sad, but ultimately uplifting. You may need tissues, especially towards the end. I know I did. I remember Marga from my earliest days at UoB: she was contributing to a shared MA across the History department and the Shakespeare Institute and would make regular trips down to our satellite campus in Stratford. From the outset she was a bright, kind, forceful presence in my life at Birmingham. She always had ideas to share and questions to ask. When I found out that Marga was taking on the role of academic lead for PGT studies in her School I was delighted by the prospect of getting to work with her more closely. I also knew that it wouldn’t be easy, because Marga never took shortcuts! You knew when she was at a meeting because she came with things to say and problems to solve – and I loved her for that. We had just started to get going with some of the plans she had for SHAC PGT, which she pursued with her characteristic passion and vigour. I will dearly miss her collegiality, tenacity, and kindness, which have left their mark on so many of us at UoB. Imagine also my surprise when I discovered that this is a debut work. It is far more complex and nuanced than many of the established works I have read. My thanks to Bonnier UK Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Vanishing of Margaret Small”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.

Funny, sad and uplifting all at once, The Vanishing of Margaret Small by @neilalexander_ is a terrific story, with a twist I didn’t see coming and a heroine who’ll stay in my mind for a long time. Recommended‘. Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man and That Bonesetter Woman Overall this was a quirky kind of read with lovable characters and a gut wrenching story. If I could hug Margaret I would. After hearing her wonderful siblings speak so beautifully about Marga, her passions and her principles, at the funeral service, it hits home what an absence her passing leaves behind for all who knew her. My condolences to her family, friends, and (the many) wider communities of which she was such an integral part. I have known Marga since 2009 when I came to be interviewed for the job I have now. Marga and Alex took the group of interviewees out to lunch at Staff House. I remember us all sitting down in a slightly awkward silence and then Marga arrived at the table and promptly dropped her wallet into tomato sauce. There was some laughter (Marga was the first one to break out in laughter) and we had a pretty companionable lunch afterward. It probably helped more than I realised at the time tobreak the ice and took away some of the stress of the day.There is a twist towards the end of the book, it did not come as a surprise to me. I was pretty sure I had figured it out along the way. But that did not detract from the story at all. Throughout, I only wanted the best for Margaret. But, then, I found out that had not figured it out. What a lovely surprise!