Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips is set in Kamchatka, Russia, and begins with the disappearance of two young sisters, Alyona and Sophia Golosovskaya. The novel unfolds over the course of a year, with each chapter focusing on the perspectives of different Kamchatkan women, who are either directly or indirectly connected to the disappearance. As the narrative progresses, it weaves together the lives of these diverse women, culminating in a return to the central mystery. The book addresses themes of abduction and systemic indifference.

Julia Phillips' Disappearing Earth captivates with its evocative prose and vivid depiction of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Praised for its intertwined narrative and diverse character perspectives, the novel’s exploration of loss and community resonates deeply. However, some critics find the pacing uneven and certain plot threads unresolved. Overall, it’s a compelling, atmospheric read.

A reader who enjoys Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips likely appreciates intricately woven narratives set in remote locations, with deep character studies and a touch of mystery. Fans of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens or Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng will find this novel compelling and haunting in its exploration of community and isolation.

Mysterious / Melancholic / Contemplative / Unnerving / Bittersweet

- Disappearing Earth was a finalist for the 2019 National Book Award for Fiction, highlighting its critical acclaim and impact.
- The novel is set on the remote Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, offering readers a unique geographic backdrop not commonly explored in contemporary literature.
- Julia Phillips, the author, spent several years living in Kamchatka and conducted extensive research, which adds authenticity and depth to the novel's setting.

**Marina Alexandrovna**  
An award-winning journalist and single mother who is deeply affected by her daughters' disappearance, for which she partially blames herself.

**Alyona Golosovskaya**  
Marina’s 11-year-old daughter who is mature for her age and very protective of her younger sister, Sophia.

**Sophia Golosovskaya**  
Marina's eight-year-old daughter, who is carefree and looks up to her sister, Alyona.

**Alla Innokentevna**  
An Even woman and cultural center head whose daughter, Lilia, disappeared three years prior to the Golosovskaya sisters.

**Natalia Innokentevna**  
A doctoral candidate in oceanography and the eldest daughter of Alla, who believes her sister Lilia ran away.

**Lilia Innokentevna**  
Alla’s youngest daughter, who went missing at 18 and is remembered as kind but troubled by her elder sister, Natasha.

**Revmira**  
A nurse and member of the Even tribe, who is drifting away from her native culture.

**Ksenia**  
A reindeer herder's daughter and accounting student, torn between two men and skeptical about Lilia's disappearance.

**Sergei (Chegga)**  
Ksenia's brother and a photographer who enjoys creating dramatic stories about Lilia's disappearance.

**Ruslan**  
Ksenia's controlling Russian boyfriend, dismissive of native cultural practices.

**Nadezhda (Nadia)**  
Chegga's girlfriend from Palana, dreaming of a better future for herself and her daughter, Mila.

**Nikolai Danilovich (Koyla)**  
A Kamchatsky police detective, married to Zoya, who believes the Golosovskaya sisters were taken off the peninsula.

**Zoya**  
Nikolai's wife, a new mother on maternity leave, struggling with her new identity.

**Oksana**  
A researcher and witness to the Golosovskaya girls’ abduction, grappling with guilt and a troubled marriage.

**Maxim (Max)**  
A volcanology researcher, enthusiastic yet unreliable, who initially joined the search for the Golosovskaya girls.

**Ekaterina (Katya)**  
A customs officer and Max's lover, who is efficient at work but seeks distraction from her worries through their relationship.

**Anfisa**  
An administrative assistant and mother to a classmate of Natalia’s son, who believes in the rumors about Lilia.

**Valentina Nikolaevna**  
An office administrator who idealizes Soviet times and blames the Golosovskaya sisters' disappearance on poor parenting.

**Diana**  
Valentina's daughter, bright yet weak-willed, who ends a friendship at her mother's behest.

**Lada**  
A hotel receptionist with a past close relationship with Masha, cautious of openly expressing her sexual orientation.

**Olga (Olya)**  
A disciplined 13-year-old schoolgirl, loyal to her friend Diana, navigating the restrictions set by adults after the Golosovskaya sisters' disappearance.

**Yegor Gusakov**  
A cunning serial abductor and predator, manipulating his appearance to prey on vulnerable targets.

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