The Disappearance of Odile

183 pp. "Odile's story begins with a letter found by her brother after she disappears from a prosperous home in French Switzerland. Unstable, unloved, disillusioned, unable to form lasting friendships or pursue continuous studies, Odile stands for a great many girls of their generation who cannot find a meaning in life. She opts for the final dropout--suicide. The substance of her story is her brother's search for her, tracking down clues and following her elusive moves. In the process he also discoveres the essential Odile as she appears to strangers and chance acquaintances. His search is made agonizingly urgent as he realizes that her threat is by no means an empty one--Odile is quite ready to drop out of life."--Front jacket flap