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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
(I won this book in a Goodreads give away in exchange for an honest review)
I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book. Gailey is a very different author at very different times and frankly, given the set up, I was expecting the pulpier Gailey more than the deep and somewhat morose Gailey. Women helps cover up the murder of her husband by her own clone that her husband left her for. How much pulp potential is that? Then again, deep, morose, character study potential too. I think I might have appreciated something more in between the two ends.
I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this book. Gailey is a very different author at very different times and frankly, given the set up, I was expecting the pulpier Gailey more than the deep and somewhat morose Gailey. Women helps cover up the murder of her husband by her own clone that her husband left her for. How much pulp potential is that? Then again, deep, morose, character study potential too. I think I might have appreciated something more in between the two ends.
dark
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“If you are loved, then you cannot be replaced.”
I absolutely loved Magic for Liars, so when I saw this on sale I immediately snapped it up without even bothering to read the synopsis. When I finally picked it up I had no idea the wild ride I was getting myself into. Perfect choice.
I absolutely loved Magic for Liars, so when I saw this on sale I immediately snapped it up without even bothering to read the synopsis. When I finally picked it up I had no idea the wild ride I was getting myself into. Perfect choice.
Overall, this is such a unique story and I absolutely love Gailey’s writing and storytelling ability. It just gets crazier with each new twist, and by the end the weight of this book feels immense. It tackles themes on individuality, grooming, the complexity of self, the morality of cloning, trauma, the cycles of abuse for both perpetrator & victim, & what it truly means to be human.
Although this is billed as a sci-fi thriller/mystery, I would classify it more as a slow burn domestic sci-fi. This is a very character driven story, mostly told in inner monologue; and I won’t lie, I felt that parts of this book did drag just a bit, but looking back it totally paid off in the end which ended up coming full circle.
XE Sands did a phenomenal job with the narrations, she really brought life to Evelyn and this story.
Was Evelyn immediately like-able? No. She’s a cutthroat b* who puts her work before all else. Not wanting to derail her research and career for the sake of starting a family. Baby’s aren’t easy and are very time consuming, you know. But I think her character arch is played out perfectly. Through the subplot of childhood flashbacks we get to see her relationship to her parents & their flawed marriage. As the older version of herself begins to fully examine and question how those relationships and experiences shaped her into who she is and how they directly affect both her actions and way of thinking.
What does it take to get you out of the way of thinking and the way you’re taught to be, to make something new for yourself, to unlearn everything that’s been imbedded?
I can’t really comment on how accurate or correct all the science elements were but ,boy, the emotional impact was a gut punch. So the sci-fi, to me, was merely the structure with which to hold this story together.
Reading Gailey’s authors note at the end made me realize how much of this story might be her own story wrapped up in science fiction. Which is absolutely heartbreaking but also uplifting hearing that she was able to overcome.
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This worked best as a twisty thriller. When it opens, the preliminaries are already out of the way: the main character's husband has left her for a clone he made of her using her own research. I had no idea what to expect from there, and new discoveries keep the story moving along in unique and creepy ways. What worked less well for me were the themes and symbolism, the way we're supposed to accept that Evelyn is fundamentally damaged from her childhood and that her rage and bitterness throughout the book are therefore explainable and sympathetic. The characters ended up feeling more like props for the ideas Gailey wanted to explore, which admittedly were quite fascinating and will likely have me pondering well past the close of this book. I appreciated that Gailey made an effort to explain the cloning science, but they left large pieces unexplained or contradictory (e.g., one clone had to be taught to read while another apparently retained that ability from their source). Overall it was a compelling read that unfortunately was a little too dark and unrealistic for my taste.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
if you enjoyed the school for good mothers, you’ll enjoy this. i found that book to be mid, and…this one too.
i found the first 100 pages to be very fast paced and predictable - the next 200 (kindle moment!) were drawn out.i didn’t think that evelyn’s development towards martine was fleshed out, and was partially confused on why she changed heart so quickly.
however, i don’t know what else could be done to fix this book - it kinda just…is.
i found the first 100 pages to be very fast paced and predictable - the next 200 (kindle moment!) were drawn out.
however, i don’t know what else could be done to fix this book - it kinda just…is.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Echo Wife is a unique domestic thriller with a Sci-Fi twist. This story is about Evelyn whose husband ends up marrying her own clone. Sarah Gailey took the copiously used "Other woman" trope and flipped it over its head where both the wives are essentially the same person. It brings such a difference in how the characters perceive each other. Evelyn is a very unlikable main character. It is not pleasant to be inside her hand. The motives behind her actions are so clinical and sterile, it is almost uncomfortable to read. Sarah Gailey writes this cold, unapologetic behavior beautifully. The whole book is extremely well written. The story feels isolated in its small cast of characters. And behind all the drama and tension, there's always the ethical dilemma of human cloning looming which creates an intensely claustrophobic environment. A small book with a big punch.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No