The Disappearers
What it's about
In Kingston, Jamaica, in 1988, eight men who are strangers to one another begin rehearsing a play. Each has his own reason for being there, but all of them are gay, in a place where that is dangerous. One night a mob attacks them and kills one of the men, and the survivors must each reckon with the violence, the hatred and the rage the attack laid bare.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize, from Marlon James, who won the Booker for A Brief History of Seven Killings. It's a big, ambitious, harrowing novel.
You'll love it if you liked
A Brief History of Seven Killings, Giovanni's Room or A Little Life
Good to know
It's long and opens with extreme violence. James uses Jamaican Patois throughout.
Quick answers
Is The Disappearers worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for the 2026 Booker Prize, from Marlon James, who won the Booker for A Brief History of Seven Killings. It ranks #1,134 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Disappearers about?
In Kingston, Jamaica, in 1988, eight men who are strangers to one another begin rehearsing a play. Each has his own reason for being there, but all of them are gay, in a place where that is dangerous. One night a mob attacks them and kills one of the men, and the survivors must each reckon with the violence, the hatred and the rage the attack laid bare.
How long does it take to read The Disappearers?
About 16 hours (640 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Disappearers?
If you liked it, try A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin or A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.
By the numbers
- Readers48 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics32 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller24 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz100 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Booker Prize finalist (2026).
Where it ranks
Shortlisted
- Booker Prize finalist (2026)
More by Marlon James
The Book of Night Women
A Brief History of Seven Killings