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bsmulca's review
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
ryner's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
On the eve of her wedding, Shay's father delivers a full-length antique mirror as an early wedding gift. When her grandmother Bran visits her bedroom she seems strangely agitated by its presence, and then Shay suddenly blacks out. When she comes to, in another time and place, she realizes that she now inhabits the body of her grandmother, on the eve of her wedding...in 1900.
This 1978 novel came to my attention only a year or so ago when it was mentioned in the publication BookPage. I was a little worried about how well it would hold up, having been written the decade I was born, but it was actually delightfully riveting and engaging. Its weakness, sadly, is the ending, as though the author wasn't sure how to conclude what had up until that point been a surprisingly strong and compelling story. With about 25% to go it first goes off the rails, and then kind of fizzles out. However, for me the book's strong points, including well-developed characters and forcing the reader to contemplate what it would be like to have been in either Shay's or Brandy's situation, continue to make it a worthwhile read, particularly for fans of time travel stories. Bonuses: It was fun to see the unfamiliar Cornish accent depicted and attempt to "hear" it. I have also not only recently been to Nederland, Colorado, which features heavily in the book, but to the very cemetery mentioned.
This 1978 novel came to my attention only a year or so ago when it was mentioned in the publication BookPage. I was a little worried about how well it would hold up, having been written the decade I was born, but it was actually delightfully riveting and engaging. Its weakness, sadly, is the ending, as though the author wasn't sure how to conclude what had up until that point been a surprisingly strong and compelling story. With about 25% to go it first goes off the rails, and then kind of fizzles out. However, for me the book's strong points, including well-developed characters and forcing the reader to contemplate what it would be like to have been in either Shay's or Brandy's situation, continue to make it a worthwhile read, particularly for fans of time travel stories. Bonuses: It was fun to see the unfamiliar Cornish accent depicted and attempt to "hear" it. I have also not only recently been to Nederland, Colorado, which features heavily in the book, but to the very cemetery mentioned.
zedohee's review
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
thoroughly enjoyed shay’s shenanigans but once brandy took over it was just a baffling bore. also that ending? huh??
badly_behaved_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mondovertigo's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Misogyny, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Child death and Miscarriage
Minor: Abortion and Animal death
quietjenn's review against another edition
4.0
A time-slip novel of a 1970s girl on the verge of marriage swapping places with her 1890s grandmother via a spooky old mirror. And then subsequent tales of the two of them living out their respective lives (as in, no switchbacks). It's divided into three parts - the first set in the 1890s, the third in the 1970s and the middle the perspective of the daughter/mother that separates them. And they are pretty uneven in quality, with the first part definitely being the strongest and most compelling.
There were lots of little things that I found mildly irritating, but once I started it, I pretty much read it straight-through and woke up thinking about it, so.
There were lots of little things that I found mildly irritating, but once I started it, I pretty much read it straight-through and woke up thinking about it, so.
innae's review against another edition
3.0
I borrowed this book from a neighbor, and therefore it was never bookcrossed, so I didn't put down my thoughts when I read it. I hunted down a review or two to kickstart my memory --
This is the tale of a woman (from 1978) who trades places with her own grandmother (at the turn of the century) and the trials they both face. It is an intriguing romance and I quite enjoyed the story. I recommend a read.
This is the tale of a woman (from 1978) who trades places with her own grandmother (at the turn of the century) and the trials they both face. It is an intriguing romance and I quite enjoyed the story. I recommend a read.
readingwithcats's review against another edition
I feel like this is one of those books that I found too late. Pre-teen me would have loved it. Adult me? Not so much.