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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5 stars. It's a slow burn of a book, I'll warn you. I get the reviewers that reference Orphan Black (if you haven't watched it yet, WHY THE HELL NOT?!) and Westworld, though this book does have some similarity, don't expect it to be fully those either. The first 3/4 of the book are slow building and nicely detailed. The last 1/4 is very fast and has the reader appreciating the details that lead to the conclusion. It's an ending that really satisfies - it's not a rushed ending, mind you - you know the kind, where the writer seems to just be done with the story, does a massive brain dump & run? In this case, the speed fits perfectly into the story while answering questions the reader has along the way.
I also recommend reading the acknowledgements at the end, as it presents a deeper level to the story that you may not have thought about while reading it.
I also recommend reading the acknowledgements at the end, as it presents a deeper level to the story that you may not have thought about while reading it.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One thing that I love about Gailey’s writing is that it doesn’t feel like genre fiction. Although there are domestic thriller and sci-fi elements to the story, it’s primarily about a middle-aged woman’s interior life.
She doesn’t explore who she’s been programmed to be, and how that affects her current life or the lives of others.
Evelyn is a complex woman and this book explores her life after an extra marital affair without assigning blame. I like the complexity of all of the characters.
This is the type of thriller, I love, but I realize that many people want something that is much faster pace, and that follows the traditional beat of a domestic thriller. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone that likes a plot driven story.
She doesn’t explore who she’s been programmed to be, and how that affects her current life or the lives of others.
Evelyn is a complex woman and this book explores her life after an extra marital affair without assigning blame. I like the complexity of all of the characters.
This is the type of thriller, I love, but I realize that many people want something that is much faster pace, and that follows the traditional beat of a domestic thriller. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone that likes a plot driven story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Abortion
I am new to the brilliance that is Sarah Gailey, and what a way to dive in. The Echo Wife is slow moving in the best way -- a story that focuses on relationships and social commentary over action-packed moments, but ultimately better for it. And what a commentary on how women are permitted to hold themselves on society.
I loved watching Evelyn and Martine's relationship blossom, loved reading as Evelyn deconstructed her own ethos and approach to her work, and the world at large. Their chronicles were equal parts bite-your-nails-to-the-quick and unfathomably gentle.
Tantalizing. The ultimate story of feminine resilience and resistance, and the perfect sci-fi/thriller crossover for readers new to either genre. I'll be sure to be reading more Gailey after this.
On the blog: https://bibliobrittish.wordpress.com/2021/02/16/the-echo-wife-review/
I loved watching Evelyn and Martine's relationship blossom, loved reading as Evelyn deconstructed her own ethos and approach to her work, and the world at large. Their chronicles were equal parts bite-your-nails-to-the-quick and unfathomably gentle.
Tantalizing. The ultimate story of feminine resilience and resistance, and the perfect sci-fi/thriller crossover for readers new to either genre. I'll be sure to be reading more Gailey after this.
On the blog: https://bibliobrittish.wordpress.com/2021/02/16/the-echo-wife-review/
That was a bit mind blowing - 3.5 stars for how it’s going to be on my mind for awhile. . The idea of a wholly realistic clone was startling. I didn’t expect the twists. I did not anticipate the 12 previous versions or how horrible Nathan had become. I was startled by Evelyn’s childhood revelations. This story was ultimately a story about abuse and trauma. I thought Evelyn was improving but at the end, it felt like a massive backslide.
Issues I had: How cloning an entire human was ethically acceptable in this reality. How a clone could duplicate the detailed technical knowledge of Nathan.
Issues I did not have: Accepting the possibility that this woman was wholly dedicated to her research life, to the exclusion of human contact, motherhood, friends.
Issues I had: How cloning an entire human was ethically acceptable in this reality. How a clone could duplicate the detailed technical knowledge of Nathan.
Issues I did not have: Accepting the possibility that this woman was wholly dedicated to her research life, to the exclusion of human contact, motherhood, friends.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This is already repetitive and boring. I was initially interested in the premise, but I don’t like being inside the fmc’s head. Her thoughts are redundant regarding her husband’s betrayal and I’m simply not interested.
dark
reflective
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
I haven't liked a novel worth such deliciously horrible characters this much in a very long time! Everyone is either awful or pitiful or both and it's great!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
Intriguing premise, and gotta love a cold and detached lady scientist, but somehow though the story was straightforward and efficient it all felt overwrought. An interesting take on transgenerational trauma and the ways that what seems like breaking a cycle of abuse can actually just be twisting it into a new, more insidious form.