You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
This is my first read by Heidi Pitlor.
Allie Lang is a ghostwriter. People who can’t write their own books hire Allie to write it for them. She doesn’t get all the fame from writing these books she only gets the money from the contracts; being a single mother this is a risky thing not knowing from one day to another about future contracts.
I was not captured by the story line or any of the characters, it was a slow read for me. I really wanted to enjoy it but it didn’t happen.
Thank you! Netgalley, Algonquin for this chance to participate in this Blog Tour and Heidi Pitlor for this e-arc in exchange of an honest review
Allie Lang is a ghostwriter. People who can’t write their own books hire Allie to write it for them. She doesn’t get all the fame from writing these books she only gets the money from the contracts; being a single mother this is a risky thing not knowing from one day to another about future contracts.
I was not captured by the story line or any of the characters, it was a slow read for me. I really wanted to enjoy it but it didn’t happen.
Thank you! Netgalley, Algonquin for this chance to participate in this Blog Tour and Heidi Pitlor for this e-arc in exchange of an honest review
I have never read a book like this before, and if you have, please spill the beans to me right away! I was so quickly immersed into Allie's story as a single mom who is a ghost writer for famous peoples' memoirs. Allie is always worried about money- how to make a paycheck stretch through her bills and rent. This character-driven story shows the struggles working moms face, as well as the experiences of parents, single moms, and those that aren't often thought about in our society. I was also fascinated with the aspects of Impersonation regarding ghostwriting, which is something I know little about nor have I given much thought to.
I was raised by a single mom, and am now a mother (not single). So many aspects of this book hit home to me on an inherent level- remembering my mom's stress when I was Allie's son Cass's age. And now as a mom, I related to so many of the struggles that Allie discusses with young kids- sleep issues (I could write a book on this!!), child care, attachment, and worrying that you're always doing the wrong thing. Pitlor shows the stress that many single parents face in a way that is deeply felt and experienced as a reader.
I hope you will pick up this book, which is OUT TODAY!
I was raised by a single mom, and am now a mother (not single). So many aspects of this book hit home to me on an inherent level- remembering my mom's stress when I was Allie's son Cass's age. And now as a mom, I related to so many of the struggles that Allie discusses with young kids- sleep issues (I could write a book on this!!), child care, attachment, and worrying that you're always doing the wrong thing. Pitlor shows the stress that many single parents face in a way that is deeply felt and experienced as a reader.
I hope you will pick up this book, which is OUT TODAY!
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Impersonation follows ghostwriter Allie Lang, who is hired to work with powerhouse, public-facing feminist Lana Breban on her memoir. What seems like a dream job slowly turns into a disaster as Allie realizes that Lana is interested in taking a hands-off approach to both the writing of her memoir and parenting. I felt SO anxious throughout the entirety of this novel. It was like I walked into a situation in which something that was already bad just kept getting worse. Poor Allie simply could not catch a break, and I could barely handle it.
Impersonation provides an interesting look into both modern motherhood and the expectations we have for women. I had to take time to unpack how I felt about both main characters. I hated Lana, and Allie's life made me feel consistent, skin-crawling anxiety. I enjoyed the opportunity to answer uncomfortable questions for myself. I suspect this novel would provide the same opportunity to other readers.
(full review at jdreads.com)
Impersonation provides an interesting look into both modern motherhood and the expectations we have for women. I had to take time to unpack how I felt about both main characters. I hated Lana, and Allie's life made me feel consistent, skin-crawling anxiety. I enjoyed the opportunity to answer uncomfortable questions for myself. I suspect this novel would provide the same opportunity to other readers.
(full review at jdreads.com)
I received this ARC from the publisher. An intriguing concept: the main character is a ghostwriter, and the story is set against the backdrop of the 2016 election (
Fascinating premise, very well executed. It's about the buying and selling of identity, about class, choice, feminism, #metoo, and parenting. I'm not sure this book would be everyone's cup of tea, but I quite enjoyed it.
As an experienced ghostwriter, Allie Long excels at expressing the interior lives of her clients, but although she needs the money and is pleased to be working on a “mom-moir” for Lana Breban, a famous feminist lawyer she’s also frustrated with Lana because she provides little material from which Allie can work.
Around the same time, her parents move to Florida, her “it’s complicated” leaves on an extended trip to find himself, and her son’s sitter exhibits increasingly unreliable behavior. Needing to supplement her writing with secondary jobs but with fewer childcare options, her financial situation takes a toll on her well-being.
With years of being a shadow providing the voice of others, Allie has begun to lose her own at a time when she desperately needs it.
The novel takes place between 2016 and 2017, and expertly (if painfully) captures the zeitgeist of the election and early days of the Trump presidency. I had such a visceral reaction to a scene describing the rollercoaster of emotions of election night—I remembered feeling the exact same way—and also the jubilation of the first women’s marches. It also is imbued with the ramifications of the #metoo movement, and Allie how struggles with being both a victim of and complicit with patriarchy.
Much of Allie’s concerns revolve around motherhood and its necessary compromises and how options collapse in lower income brackets. Allie and Lana are a study in opposites—appearance, style, background, class, career, and approach to motherhood. Their opportunities and ambitions are shaped by their priorities and constrained by means, but who gets to arbitrate what it means to be the better mother?
Impersonation hinges not on plot but on larger questions regarding values, relationships, and choices. The characters are difficult, frustrating, and often prickly, but can be endearing, and the situations will resonate highly with mothers of all kinds.
Pitlor writes beautifully and integrates a number of pressing social issues, and Impersonation is a provocative and rewarding character-driven novel.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Aimee Dars Reads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Pinterest
Around the same time, her parents move to Florida, her “it’s complicated” leaves on an extended trip to find himself, and her son’s sitter exhibits increasingly unreliable behavior. Needing to supplement her writing with secondary jobs but with fewer childcare options, her financial situation takes a toll on her well-being.
With years of being a shadow providing the voice of others, Allie has begun to lose her own at a time when she desperately needs it.
The novel takes place between 2016 and 2017, and expertly (if painfully) captures the zeitgeist of the election and early days of the Trump presidency. I had such a visceral reaction to a scene describing the rollercoaster of emotions of election night—I remembered feeling the exact same way—and also the jubilation of the first women’s marches. It also is imbued with the ramifications of the #metoo movement, and Allie how struggles with being both a victim of and complicit with patriarchy.
Much of Allie’s concerns revolve around motherhood and its necessary compromises and how options collapse in lower income brackets. Allie and Lana are a study in opposites—appearance, style, background, class, career, and approach to motherhood. Their opportunities and ambitions are shaped by their priorities and constrained by means, but who gets to arbitrate what it means to be the better mother?
Impersonation hinges not on plot but on larger questions regarding values, relationships, and choices. The characters are difficult, frustrating, and often prickly, but can be endearing, and the situations will resonate highly with mothers of all kinds.
Pitlor writes beautifully and integrates a number of pressing social issues, and Impersonation is a provocative and rewarding character-driven novel.
Thank you to Algonquin Books for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Aimee Dars Reads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr | Pinterest
For my full review, visit my blog: http://obsessedbookaholic.com/2020/08/18/impersonation-blog-tour-giveawayf/
⠀
⠀
⠀
Allie is a single mom living from paycheck to paycheck who is also a ghost writer. After working on a memoir for a guy for six months, he's arrested for sexual assault and the book deal is cancelled. She put all that work into it, but received very little money. ⠀
⠀
As she struggles financially, her manager finally calls her with a new book deal. A memoir for a well known punlic speaker and feminist, Lana. Part way through the project, Lana decides to run for senator. She's so busy she doesn't have much time to talk to Allie, so Allie begins filling the book in with her own stories. As the two text and have short discussions here and there, Allie makes a few self-discoveries. She realizes she's worth more as her book deals make bestseller lists, and she, being the ghost writer, gets nothing and has to supplement her income with substitute teaching and landscaping jobs.⠀
⠀
⠀
All of this is going on while a new president has taken office and has a few anti-feminist views of his own that are spreading across the nation. ⠀
⠀
⠀
This is a great book that gives the reader a glimpse into our own world and encourages us to be better as the characters strive to do the same, as moms and career women.⠀
⠀
⠀
This was a well written book. I was team Allie the entire time. I wanted the people to see the world through her eyes and to understand the stress that she was feeling.⠀
⠀
⠀
It's humorous and entertaining while providing us that outside glimpse into what our world looks like as far as the general population's view on women and class. Perhaps one day, as a society, we can look past each other's differences and our own judgments. This is a very timely book that will give me a lot to think about.⠀
⠀
⠀
Allie is a single mom living from paycheck to paycheck who is also a ghost writer. After working on a memoir for a guy for six months, he's arrested for sexual assault and the book deal is cancelled. She put all that work into it, but received very little money. ⠀
⠀
As she struggles financially, her manager finally calls her with a new book deal. A memoir for a well known punlic speaker and feminist, Lana. Part way through the project, Lana decides to run for senator. She's so busy she doesn't have much time to talk to Allie, so Allie begins filling the book in with her own stories. As the two text and have short discussions here and there, Allie makes a few self-discoveries. She realizes she's worth more as her book deals make bestseller lists, and she, being the ghost writer, gets nothing and has to supplement her income with substitute teaching and landscaping jobs.⠀
⠀
⠀
All of this is going on while a new president has taken office and has a few anti-feminist views of his own that are spreading across the nation. ⠀
⠀
⠀
This is a great book that gives the reader a glimpse into our own world and encourages us to be better as the characters strive to do the same, as moms and career women.⠀
⠀
⠀
This was a well written book. I was team Allie the entire time. I wanted the people to see the world through her eyes and to understand the stress that she was feeling.⠀
⠀
⠀
It's humorous and entertaining while providing us that outside glimpse into what our world looks like as far as the general population's view on women and class. Perhaps one day, as a society, we can look past each other's differences and our own judgments. This is a very timely book that will give me a lot to think about.⠀