Over the last few years, we met frequently at the University’s west gate. Pushing her foldable bike through the crowd (never cycling when there were too many pedestrians around her), that came out of the train station, donning her high viz-west and deep in thoughts – until she saw a familiar face; this is when her unique smile came on, a smile that felt like a ray of sunshine on a cold day, a smile that always made me feel good. This is how I will remember her. Katz, Jonathan Ned (2014). The Invention of Heterosexuality. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p.148. ISBN 978-0-226-42601-3.

I first encountered Margaret during my undergraduate studies, but it was during my masters that I properly got to know her as my personal tutor. Starting a masters in the middle of the pandemic was a difficult experience but Margaret was exactly what we needed in a tutor, and she went above and beyond what was expected of her. She was not only a source of professional support but an increasingly kind, caring, and considerate academic who took it upon herself to ensure that we still had a wonderful experience in difficult circumstances. Our personal tutor meetings were intellectually stimulating, and she brought with it, her passion for the discipline and incredible breadth of knowledge. Publishing director Jane Snelgrove acquired world English language rights from Rowan Lawton at the Soho Agency, along with a second work, with The Vanishing of Margaret Small scheduled for publication in October 2022 and the latter for spring 2023.There’s only one problem if you opt for the audio version, which is brilliant in every other way. Through the narrator's voice, you will discover at least the gender of the mysterious ‘C’, which eliminates half of the potential suspects from the list. Reading the book would have helped retain the mystery better. a b Gagehabib, La Verne; Summerhawk, Barbara (2000). Circles of Power: Shifting Dynamics in a Lesbian-centered community. Norwich, VT: New Victoria Publishers. ISBN 1-892281-13-9.

At work I came to know Marga best through things like open days and OVDs and the long committee meetings involved with things like the curriculum review working group. Those unsung and unseen things which people often try to avoid but to which Marga seemed to instinctively gravitate. And so I have thought about what it means to be a good citizen, what it is that keeps our work going, and how we value those things.I did not always agree with Marga's answers on issues around assessment and pedagogy, but I have always known that she was asking the right questions - however difficult or challenging or unwelcome I might have found those questions at the time. It is a small example, but I don't think we would have made the progress we have with our DL programmes if it had not been for Marga's tenacity and insistence on lifting the bonnet to see exactly what was going on. Importantly, I have always known that those questions have been underpinned by Marga's unswerving commitment to doing the right thing by our students and our community.We are diminished by Marga's loss - in ways that are incomprehensible right now - but we have been privileged to know and learn from her. G7 Summit in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1983: (from left) Pierre Trudeau, Gaston Thorn, Helmut Kohl, Francois Mitterrand, Ronald Reagan, Nakasone Yasuhiro, Margaret Thatcher, and Amintore Fanfani. (more) Colleagues from the time particularly remember Marga’s keen intellect, her warmth, her enthusiasm and, as one former colleague expressed it ‘her ability to talk plainly about very complicated things’. She was at the same time incredibly erudite and great fun! Those of us who remember her were deeply saddened to hear of her loss and extend our sympathy and condolences to all her family, friends and colleagues at University of Birmingham. Marga joined Birmingham in 2007 as Lecturer in Europe and the Wider World and achieved a much-deserved promotion to Senior Lecturer in 2021. In addition to her world-leading monograph Framing the World: Classical Influences on Sixteenth-Century Geographical Thought (The Boydell Press, 2020), Marga’s many publications included a prize-winning article in Renaissance Studies and another in Sixteenth-Century Studies – two of the most prestigious peer-reviewed journals in her field.Neil is a graduate of the Faber Academy ‘Writing a Novel’ course, taught by Esther Freud and Tim Lott. What a unique story this is! Debut novel from this author. As the title says, it is the story of Margaret. “Vanishing” is Margaret's word for the fact that she vanished from her grandmother's home at a young age and was sent to an institution (hospital?) for problem and slow children. 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. 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.

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. Margaret as the lead character is endearing and will definitely make her way into your heart. Despite the tough life she has had, she ventures into each day with an amazing never-give-up attitude. Simply adored her! In a Nutshell: An unusual story. The title and cover makes this debut novel appear light and easy-going, but it gets quite intense at times. Definitely worth reading for its quirky protagonist and its character-oriented storyline.I wont tell you why and how long Margaret ended up in the children’s institution but the way this aspect is incorporated into the plot is marvellous. It isn’t a case of writing a character with a disability just to fit in with the current trend in fiction but forgetting to use it after some casual mentions. On the contrary, the author thoughtfully makes use of this aspect of Margaret’s personality in almost every chapter. When reading, the locations mentioned were very vivid to me - largely in part to the fact that just last week I binge-watched the second season of "Whitstable Pearl" on Netflix. What a unique story this is! Debut novel from this author. As the title says, it is the story of Margaret. “Vanishing” is Margaret’s word for the fact that she vanished from her grandmother’s home at a young age and was sent to an institution (hospital?) for problem and slow children. I was surprised to find out "The Vanishing of Margaret Small" is this author's debut novel. The author's note at the end, gives brief detail of what brought this amazing story to life. I do hope this book finds its way in front of a large audience of readers and listeners for the well-written and meaningful story it is. I highly recommend it to all!

Alexander weaves a most sensitive story, which made me laugh and smile, and on one occasion even cry, but not once does he descend into the saccharine or ever patronise his marvellous leading lady, Margaret. His depiction of Care Support Worker Wayne has such heart, and it is Wayne and Margaret’s exchanges that are my favourite conversations in the book. I adored Wayne, especially the way he drew a line in the sand in dealing with some of Margaret’s dodgy views. So, yes, like all good characters Margaret may be flawed, but mostly she is kind and funny — and the most wonderful company. Told in two timelines, this story is an intensely emotional journey with top-notch characterizations. It's impossible not to love Margaret, as she's definitely the one who holds this story together. She may be a bit slow but she has an inner beauty that's impossible to resist. Earlier this month we learned of the death of our colleague and friend Dr Margaret (Marga) Small. Colleagues and students within and beyond the School of History and Cultures are devastated by the loss of a wonderful scholar, an inspirational teacher, and a most dedicated citizen of her Department, School, College and University.Thank you to Bonnier UK Audio, Embla Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.