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waclements7's review against another edition
DNF. Just so bad. The writing is so melodramatic and just unbelievable. There isn’t enough background to give Shay’s character any depth—she’s getting married because she’s bored. That’s it? And the name Brandy wasn’t used until the 60’s (1960s) so whatever time they’re in where they’re wearing bonnets and corsets—not appropriate.
kavyajanani's review against another edition
5.0
This is a richly imaginative novel by Marlys Millhiser. With a freaking awesome narrative, Marlys weaves a sweeping tale of two women who are subjected to switching of souls by uncontrolled time travel. This is one of my best reads of this year and I recommend this one to every bookworm.
bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition
3.0
I have a fondness for time travel (not that I've done any myself) and found this old classic (?) intriguing. Basically, a seventies gal about to get married switches places with her grandmother through a mirror. It's a great premise, and I really liked the first half of the book when Shay finds herself in the early 1900's and has to deal with corsets, chamber pots and you know, patriarchy. It helps that everyone already thinks that Brandy, her grandma, is crazy. Shay/Brandy is quite resourceful and adapts admirably to her new life, while attempting to return to her own life in 1978. Then the ick factor kicks in and the story takes a new direction.
It sort of drags in the middle, and the last part, where we follow grandma Brandy as a young girl in Shay's seventies was a bit tame. It was a little disappointing that the author never went beyond Brandy's initial "dear Lord, women walk around half naked and have abortions" reaction. Maybe that was the most realistic interpretation, but still, it would have been nice to delve a little deeper into "hey, this women's lib may not be the work of Satan after all". I thought there was a whiff of "everything was better in the olden days", which I rarely agree with.
Some nice time traveling,but not as enchanting as the GR ratings indicate.
Spoiler
she seduces her own goddamned grandfatherIt sort of drags in the middle, and the last part, where we follow grandma Brandy as a young girl in Shay's seventies was a bit tame. It was a little disappointing that the author never went beyond Brandy's initial "dear Lord, women walk around half naked and have abortions" reaction. Maybe that was the most realistic interpretation, but still, it would have been nice to delve a little deeper into "hey, this women's lib may not be the work of Satan after all". I thought there was a whiff of "everything was better in the olden days", which I rarely agree with.
Some nice time traveling,but not as enchanting as the GR ratings indicate.
librarianmillie's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in high school because my mom loved it. This book was so not my taste, but I still remember it years later.
sjj169's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably one of the best books to me that I've read. I loved it. Time travel done the best ever. History and love but not overly mushy.
sotosonom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sookie458's review against another edition
3.0
Knjiga bi bila odlična da drugi dio priče nije osjetno lošiji od prvog. Šteta!
teresadennis's review against another edition
4.0
First stumbled on this book thirty or more years ago. The modern section seems dated now and, as I've read in other comments, the final section just doesn't measure up to the rest of the book. HOWEVER, this is still an excellent and diverting read. Especially enjoyed the practical aspects of Shay's early experiences in her grandmother's life.
bizeemom29's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't want to put this book down. A beautifully written story spanning generations of a family. All of the characters were so clearly developed and likeable.
kellykb's review against another edition
2.0
I really like time travel themes, so I wanted to like this one. And I did, for the first part of the book, during Shay’s (in Brandy’s body) story. But, when it came to the second part, about what was going on with Brandy (in Shay’s body), oh my! That was bad....I finished it but, by doing a lot of skimming...I definitely wouldn’t recommend it....I could neither find the comedy or the horror in this book.