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annecarts's review
4.0
This was very different to what I expected. The story of one person in two versions of their life - being born male or female. However, the story in many ways is more about belonging and forgiveness than gender. A lot to think about but done with a light touch and an easy read.
katalinareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
loulouk's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book. It was such a unique storyline and kept me gripped to find out more. I did guess the twists and reveals before they happened but that didn’t stop me enjoying the book and wanting to keep reading. I’d definitely recommend it, very thought provoking.
nickymaund's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful book. Two stories about two main characters but are the same person (sort of). How would someone’s life be different if they were male or female? Yes one viewpoint is Louis’ (male) and the other is Louise’s (female) - obviously not the same person....or are they.
Julie Cohen has written such a complicated book - each of their supporting characters has a slightly different story to tell but the core of it remains. And there’s so many secrets. Secrets among family, friends and towns.
And when those secrets are revealed - just heartbreaking! In short, I loved it! So read it!
Julie Cohen has written such a complicated book - each of their supporting characters has a slightly different story to tell but the core of it remains. And there’s so many secrets. Secrets among family, friends and towns.
And when those secrets are revealed - just heartbreaking! In short, I loved it! So read it!
catrad's review
4.0
The premise for this book is really interesting: one life lived two ways - one as a male and one as a female. The early parts of the books depicting the different ways Louis/e was treated depending on their gender were excellent and quite thought provoking.
I found it interesting that although the two lives went in very different directions there were the same threads running through each - the same idea for a novel for example. Also both had hidden secrets, rifts within the family, and history with lost friends.
The gradual reveal of both sides of the secret was well done and quite shocking in places, but I didn’t find that either side of the tale quite hit the spot somehow. I had expected the book to be a commentary on gender and how men and women, boys and girls are treated differently, with differing outcomes as a result, but it ended up being just two stories told side by side, featuring the same characters.
Sadly it didn’t quite live up to the promise of a great start, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
I found it interesting that although the two lives went in very different directions there were the same threads running through each - the same idea for a novel for example. Also both had hidden secrets, rifts within the family, and history with lost friends.
The gradual reveal of both sides of the secret was well done and quite shocking in places, but I didn’t find that either side of the tale quite hit the spot somehow. I had expected the book to be a commentary on gender and how men and women, boys and girls are treated differently, with differing outcomes as a result, but it ended up being just two stories told side by side, featuring the same characters.
Sadly it didn’t quite live up to the promise of a great start, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
jessorella's review against another edition
5.0
Julie Cohen's LOUIS & LOUISE tells the story of Lou, who is born into a mill-owning Maine family in the 1980s. The main twist in the story, however, is that in one life Lou is born male, and in the other, female. This book explores Lou's childhood, their family and friendships, and tracks the arc of their life story through their teens, twenties and thirties in both timelines.
It's a beautifully written look at how people's lives can change in a minute, and how expectations we place on ourselves and others can affect not just how we feel and what we do, but sometimes whole chunks of our time on earth. The issues explored in both Louis and Louise's lives are sensitively written, with many echoes between each of Lou's timelines. The sense of place in Maine, USA, is wonderfully evocative, and I would in several places compare it to the writing of Stephen King.
I read this book over the course of just a couple of days, keen to find out what happened to Lou in their teen years that affected so much of their later life and, in more than one case, their relationships with those who were closest to them.
I've been reading Julie Cohen's books since she was published by Mills & Boon, through Little Black Dress and beyond. Her writing has always been sharp and yet soothing, illustrative and thoughtful. She just gets better and better, and I think that LOUIS & LOUISE may just be her best book yet. Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for sending me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
It's a beautifully written look at how people's lives can change in a minute, and how expectations we place on ourselves and others can affect not just how we feel and what we do, but sometimes whole chunks of our time on earth. The issues explored in both Louis and Louise's lives are sensitively written, with many echoes between each of Lou's timelines. The sense of place in Maine, USA, is wonderfully evocative, and I would in several places compare it to the writing of Stephen King.
I read this book over the course of just a couple of days, keen to find out what happened to Lou in their teen years that affected so much of their later life and, in more than one case, their relationships with those who were closest to them.
I've been reading Julie Cohen's books since she was published by Mills & Boon, through Little Black Dress and beyond. Her writing has always been sharp and yet soothing, illustrative and thoughtful. She just gets better and better, and I think that LOUIS & LOUISE may just be her best book yet. Highly recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for sending me a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
niakantorka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’ve bought this book ages ago and on a whim because its fundamental idea sounded super interesting. Finally, I remembered it, read it, and liked it. The way the story was told was unique and clever with the different povs of Louis and Louise and that of the all-or-Lou-knowing-narrator. The little cliffhangers were well woven and kept me hooked.
And yet I wasn’t a perfect book to me. For example I loved Louise’s story way more in the beginning. So it hit me kind of hard when I didn’t like parts of how her story ended. It was different with Louis whom I found less intriguing in the beginning but he grew on me. I still thought that he got off lightly with all women in his life being super understanding. Just saying, but if I had been Carrie, he would have gone to that funeral in whatever ill fitting suit he owned or clothed like a leprechaun.
All in all I had a good time reading this book. And I still think its concept is pretty great.
And yet I wasn’t a perfect book to me. For example I loved Louise’s story way more in the beginning. So it hit me kind of hard when I didn’t like parts of how her story ended. It was different with Louis whom I found less intriguing in the beginning but he grew on me. I still thought that he got off lightly with all women in his life being super understanding. Just saying, but if I had been Carrie, he would have gone to that funeral in whatever ill fitting suit he owned or clothed like a leprechaun.
All in all I had a good time reading this book. And I still think its concept is pretty great.
hadders88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nannyf's review
4.0
This read had quite a unique feel to it, although there are those who draw similarities from movies such as Sliding Doors. I was a bit worried about how this story would be told, but the way the author does it was genius.
Louis and Louise are one and the same, except for one being male and one being female. They have similar lives, yet slight details vary throughout. It isn’t an easy story to read due to the turmoil and upset these characters go through in the course of it.
I loved the way the author finishes the story. After everything the characters have gone through, can they find a happy conclusion, and will it be the same regardless if their gender?
A great read. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
Louis and Louise are one and the same, except for one being male and one being female. They have similar lives, yet slight details vary throughout. It isn’t an easy story to read due to the turmoil and upset these characters go through in the course of it.
I loved the way the author finishes the story. After everything the characters have gone through, can they find a happy conclusion, and will it be the same regardless if their gender?
A great read. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.
andintothetrees's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I loved the premise of this book (we follow the character of Lou twice. In one strand Lou is Louise, a cisgender woman; in the other Lou is Louis, a cisgender man) and the first half of it, but I felt it became a bit repetitive, predictable and plodding towards the end. It's worth reading for its thoughts on gender, class, sexuality and portrayal of rural small-town life, but didn't quite live up to my expectations.