Reviews

My Real Children by Jo Walton

knitsmith's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

rick_k's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

liketheday's review against another edition

5.0

Walton's worldbuilding is amazing, especially for worlds that are basically the one I live in. Brief mentions of current events here and famous people there let me know that neither of these worlds is exactly like my own, which I thought was a smart touch. And it's interesting what really struck me about the different worlds -- moon bases are awesome, sure, but in one world there isn't wifi in Patricia's nursing home! How can she possibly survive?
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velamcco's review against another edition

emotional reflective relaxing 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? No

5.0

suzemo's review against another edition

5.0

I'm already a little pro-Jo biased, so take this for what it's worth.

This is a fantastically written story with two parallel alt-history timelines (and they're both alt-history from ours, but not unreasonably, crazily so). The book is 100% character driven, and pretty much the entire back third of the book had me in near tears.

Patricia/Patsy/Tricia/Pat/Trish remembers two different timelines - one where she is happier, but one where the world is better. And it all begins with a single choice. In the end, I still can't tell you which life she should have or would have chosen.

And I still don't know what choice I would make.

keelys's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

olga_yo's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

kyledhebert's review against another edition

4.0

Haunting and lovely.

cimorene1558's review against another edition

5.0

Fantastic.

meghan111's review against another edition

3.0

I don't have a coherent review for this. It reminded me of [b:Life after Life|15790842|Life After Life|Kate Atkinson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358173808s/15790842.jpg|21443207] by Kate Atkinson. The scenes of encroaching dementia and confusion were terrifying and difficult.

Exploring two different ways a woman's life would play out, based on one decision she makes in her early 20s.

Spoiler

In one life, Patricia goes by Tricia, marries a horrible man, has four kids and multiple stillbirths, and society is progressive and nuclear disarmament has been achieved, as well as equal rights for gay people. In another life, Patricia goes by Pat, turns down the horrible man, goes to Italy and finds a passion for Renaissance art, and finds a lifelong love with Bee and a fulfilling career as a guidebook writer. Bee and Patricia have three children together with the help of Michael, their guidebook photographer. But in this world, nuclear weapons are used by multiple countries and millions of people die and millions more develop thyroid cancer in later life. Bee and Patricia face legal battles to have their relationship acknowledged.

Compellingly imagined, this also forced me to deal with how quickly Patricia's life went by, no matter what choice she made. She's just out of college, and then, not too many decades later, she's facing life in an institution and a battle with dementia.