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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I have loved every single one of Jackson’s books so far. Part of the enjoyment is listening to the author read the books—she really brings them to life.
VERY character-driven, not much plot. Nothing much happens in this book, and the characters aren't all that compelling. I love Joshilyn Jackson's more recent stuff and have been on a mission to go back and read her older books. This is one I could have skipped.
I was surprised this book went into darker places than I expected, but I still loved it. For some reason I had expected the sibling that turns up on Paula's doorstep too be a young teen and I had to re-arrange my expectations a bit. That didn't take away from the impact the book left. It's about family in all forms and shapes and also a lot about the dire and depressing realities of the foster system and what it does to young people. I admit that Kai's stories from Hindu mythology always broke my reading flow in a way, probably because Hindu mythology is so foreign to me. And that's solely on me. I could have done with a bit less baggage for the supporting character (Julian / Birdwine), but all in all, this was a captivating story.
I'm a big fan of Jackson's Southern women's fiction-type novels (not so much her thrillers), so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this one as well. Even though THE OPPOSITE OF EVERYONE is very raw in some ways, it's also a warm, big-hearted novel that actually made me tear up a little in the end. Paula and Birdwine are both flawed in some major ways, but they're also fierce, determined, loyal, and dedicated to doing the right thing. This makes them feel both authentic and root-worthy. Julian is simply lovable in his sweet earnestness. While the novel is mostly character-driven, it does have a compelling plot as well. The characters' search for answers is interesting and engrossing. I was so invested, in fact, that I whipped through this book in pretty much one sitting. Jackson's style is uniquely her own—it never fails to woo me. I do wish her books were less R-rated so I could recommend them more widely, but I love her nonetheless.
This novel weaves stories within stories. Paula Vauss is a tough thirty-something attorney with an on again/off again relationship with a hard-nosed private investigator. Her early years with Kai, her free-spirited mother, shape much of the story and the mystery that pushes the plot forward. Kai often tells tales of Hindu gods to her daughter and the theme of reincarnation (or reinvention) follows many of the characters. Jackson creates complex, likable characters and an intriguing plot that weaves back and forth in time, with some interesting twists.
I think Joshilyn Jackson is one of those authors that I will always enjoy reading but nothing will be super-amazing. Kind of like my fondness for Ruth Ware.
I enjoyed this story. Paula annoyed me at times - really I just wanted to know more of how she handled BANK clients :) I LOVED Birdwine (but the name is dumb). I liked the ending but wasn't a super big fan of the back and forth of the child/adult Paula in the same chapter. Not sure how that would be organized better and maybe it would have been fine. I thought the Clark part was dumb.
All in all, I enjoyed this story but I preferred the characters in The Almost Sisters. But I'm happy to continue reading Jackson's work and glad I have another author in my pocket that I can enjoy :)
I enjoyed this story. Paula annoyed me at times - really I just wanted to know more of how she handled BANK clients :) I LOVED Birdwine (but the name is dumb). I liked the ending but wasn't a super big fan of the back and forth of the child/adult Paula in the same chapter. Not sure how that would be organized better and maybe it would have been fine. I thought the Clark part was dumb.
All in all, I enjoyed this story but I preferred the characters in The Almost Sisters. But I'm happy to continue reading Jackson's work and glad I have another author in my pocket that I can enjoy :)
Good story. No one does voice like Joshilyn. Complicated characters.
4.5 stars
The Opposite of Everyone engrossed me more and more as I got deeper into the story. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I didn't bother to read the blurb before I got stuck into it.
Our narrator is Paula Vauss, a mid-thirties, successful, divorce lawyer. She is the stereotypical successful lawyer: cut-throat, manipulative, determined. She's got a softer side to her, but she's good at hiding it, even from herself. Also, Paula has a big aversion to commitment, not hard to grasp why, as Paula had had a very unusual childhood, raised by her city and men hoping mother, Kai, who's also very fond of Hindy stories. When Kai went to jail, Paula spent some time in a group home. Needless to say, that was not a pleasant experience.
One day, Paula's predictable life begins to unravel. First, she hears about her mum's imminent death. Then new people come into her life. Before it's too late, Paula has to find her mother. To do that, she hires Birdwire, a very good private eye, but who's a bit messed up, not to mention that he's got a thing for Paula. I'll leave it at that.
This novel is not a what I'd call a light read, due to the issues it addresses: unfit mother, abandonment, regrets. The thing that it impressed me was the light tone of this novel. The mix of irreverent and serious worked its magic on me. The characters were very well drawn.
My review is not doing justice to this novel. I will say that it's deceptively light and serious at the same time, but it left me very satisfied.
I'll make sure to read more books by Joshilyn Jackson.
I've received this novel via Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publishers, William Morrow, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
The Opposite of Everyone engrossed me more and more as I got deeper into the story. I wasn't sure what to expect, as I didn't bother to read the blurb before I got stuck into it.
Our narrator is Paula Vauss, a mid-thirties, successful, divorce lawyer. She is the stereotypical successful lawyer: cut-throat, manipulative, determined. She's got a softer side to her, but she's good at hiding it, even from herself. Also, Paula has a big aversion to commitment, not hard to grasp why, as Paula had had a very unusual childhood, raised by her city and men hoping mother, Kai, who's also very fond of Hindy stories. When Kai went to jail, Paula spent some time in a group home. Needless to say, that was not a pleasant experience.
One day, Paula's predictable life begins to unravel. First, she hears about her mum's imminent death. Then new people come into her life. Before it's too late, Paula has to find her mother. To do that, she hires Birdwire, a very good private eye, but who's a bit messed up, not to mention that he's got a thing for Paula. I'll leave it at that.
This novel is not a what I'd call a light read, due to the issues it addresses: unfit mother, abandonment, regrets. The thing that it impressed me was the light tone of this novel. The mix of irreverent and serious worked its magic on me. The characters were very well drawn.
My review is not doing justice to this novel. I will say that it's deceptively light and serious at the same time, but it left me very satisfied.
I'll make sure to read more books by Joshilyn Jackson.
I've received this novel via Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publishers, William Morrow, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
I am obviously in the middle of a pretty serious crush on Joshilyn Jackson. I mean what can I say. I loved it. Her characters come alive for me. I miss them when I’m through.
Joshilyn Jackson's books have a weird effect on me. That make me feel my Southern roots. When I read one of her books I crave sweet tea and hot humid summer nights. I see Spanish moss drooping from the old oak trees in my hometown of Mobile, AL. From "The Girl Who Stopped Swimming" to "Between Georgia", I consume and devour her words. This book, "The Opposite of Everyone" was no different. I received a copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Paula, AKA Kali Jai, daughter of free-spirited Kai. We last met Paula in the book "Someone Else's Love Story". She is Will's best friend from high school and Shandi's competition for Will's affection. The independent and straight talking divorce lawyer was brought up by her mother Kai. Kai was a storyteller who, as the author described, blended Hindu mythology with the southern oral tradition. They reinvented their identity with every man that Kai hooked up with. When the story changed to one that didn't suit her wants and needs, Paula made up one of her own and ended up in foster care while her mother went to prison.
The story explores how Paula's past intersects with her current life when she receives a strange note from her mother on an uncashed check. Shortly after discovering that her mother died of cancer, she discovers an unknown brother. With the help of her ex-lover, Birdwine, Paula tries to find evidence of her mother's life and death and learn how to be a big sister to a brother raised in a picture perfect family.
I loved this story and how Jackson used Hindu mythology as the bedtime stories of Paula's childhood. Paula uses these stories to better understand her mother and herself.
This is the story of Paula, AKA Kali Jai, daughter of free-spirited Kai. We last met Paula in the book "Someone Else's Love Story". She is Will's best friend from high school and Shandi's competition for Will's affection. The independent and straight talking divorce lawyer was brought up by her mother Kai. Kai was a storyteller who, as the author described, blended Hindu mythology with the southern oral tradition. They reinvented their identity with every man that Kai hooked up with. When the story changed to one that didn't suit her wants and needs, Paula made up one of her own and ended up in foster care while her mother went to prison.
The story explores how Paula's past intersects with her current life when she receives a strange note from her mother on an uncashed check. Shortly after discovering that her mother died of cancer, she discovers an unknown brother. With the help of her ex-lover, Birdwine, Paula tries to find evidence of her mother's life and death and learn how to be a big sister to a brother raised in a picture perfect family.
I loved this story and how Jackson used Hindu mythology as the bedtime stories of Paula's childhood. Paula uses these stories to better understand her mother and herself.