Reviews - The Echo Wife | The StoryGraph

4.19k reviews for:

The Echo Wife

Sarah Gailey

3.72 AVERAGE

simsian's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

sondermanvickie's review against another edition

3.0

Loved the ending in a weird way. Did not like the main character at all.

maddogstone20's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

cadillaceazy's review

3.5

dark mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cheye13's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious tense 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

This was fascinating, but it took a later turn that I'm not sure how to feel about. Significant themes are presented and not fully answered, so I think this would make an intriguing book club book. I enjoyed how much it leaned into the science fiction, and the crime/thriller direction was a pleasant and engaging surprise. The rumination on clones and personhood and purpose were sufficiently explored, but I do think they could've been stretched to a longer novel. As is, the crime side didn't get too repetitive and it was an entertaining read.

devoutcyborg's review against another edition

i enjoyed the experience of reading this book so much. the main character is flawed and deeply aware of the fact. she navigates her life by trying all she could to never be anything like either of her parents, she knows she is unlikeable and demanding and abrasive and she doesn't apologize for it. she makes me really like her from the jump. and her mirror, the echo, the other character is someone she could have been but isn't. gentler, more placating, attentive, and yes traced from her own DNA but with her difficult traits specifically eliminated to make her the perfect wife.

it's a very disturbing premise and i loved it. i loved what it says about hetero-patriarchal conception of marriage, i love what it says about the inherent cruelty of patriarchal ideas of what it means to be a woman. and i love that it is centered around this woman who is unapologetic about rejecting all of that and held to her ground throughout. who let her rage and bitterness drive her forward, who is pushed to do the right thing despite that. the book is really strong in that regard, but the other aspects of the book ended up feeling a bit sloppy in comparison.

the book could have wrapped up the story in so many different ways. maybe i will change my mind once the story settles in and i give it some more thoughts but for now, i really do not like how it ended. i think the story ends in the least likeable note which is unfortunate considering it started with all this flashing brevity, with a lot of fiery things to say, and those were the reason why i couldn't put down the book but somewhere towards the end, it just loses its touch for me. i will still be on the lookout of other things the author might write though!