Do you know anyone who looks like you? Have you ever been mistaken for them? I've been told I look like Izzy from "Grey's Anatomy" but since I don't watch television I'm not sure how true that is. I also had a man approach me once in a grocery store and ask me to stand still. He said with tears in his eyes that I looked like the wife he'd met during the war. She died and I guess he was trying to recapture the moment. He was really old so it was kind of endearing.
So what is your story?
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Craig Littleton's decision to end his marriage would shock his wife, Denise . . . if she knew what he was up to. When an accident lands Craig in the ICU, with fuzzy memories of his own life and plans, Denise rushes to his side, ready to care for him.They embark on a quest to help Craig remember who he is and, in the process, they discover dark secrets. An affair? An emptied bank account? A hidden identity? An illegitimate child?
But what will she do when she realizes he's not the man she thought he was? Is this trauma a blessing in disguise, a chance for a fresh start? Or will his secrets destroy the life they built together?
My review:
The Familiar Stranger was a real page turner. It was written so well that it wasn't until I was three quarters of the way through the story that I realized the point of view for each person (titled his and hers respectively in the novel) was written in the first person past tense. This was very well done and flawlessly executed, IMHO. The Familiar Stranger is also the perfect title for this incredible tale. It was an intriguing and a profoundly mysterious story that kept me guessing until nearly the end.
At first I was thinking something was occurring like what happened in Rekindled by Tamera Alexander. Then I thought it could be like "The Man in the Iron Mask" starring Leonardo Dicaprio. Then I thought of the movie "Summersby" starring Jodie Foster. Long story short, this delightfully romantic and emotional tale was one of the most amazing debuts I've read in a long time. It was well thought out, excellently plotted, and the characterization was so believable that it left me breathless. Yeah, I even got choked up several times, especially toward the end.
I found the resolution in The Familiar Stranger more satisfying and believeable than if the story had been taken a different direction. The unique spiritual perspective was also truly inspirational, which is why this book is making my best fiction for 2009 list. I highly recommend it.
25 comments:
I get to be first on the comments. Let's hope I win the book. Michelle, I just had my first story published in an anthology: Too Soon to Say Goodbye, ed. Susan Osborn et al. It's a Christian book to minister to victims of suicide. I got my copy this past week as a contributor. It was first for me as a budding Christian writer!
If you liked this book so much, I know I'll have to read it!
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
OK, so I got so wrapped up in the description of the book, I forgot to answer the question. I actually saw someone who looked exactly like me one time. She was on a TV show back in the 70s and I felt like I was looking in a mirror! I've also been told by several people that they knew someone who looked like me.
reading_frenzy at yahoo dot com
This looks like a very interesting book! As for the question, I've been told I look like Julia Roberts, but I don't really agree. I'm certainly not close enough that anyone would stop me and ask for my autograph... :)
Someone once told me that I look like the woman who plays Rosanne's daughter in the show "Rosanne" but other than that, I've never really found anyone that looks like me.
squiggles87(at)Aol(dot)com
I have never been mistaken for someone else and haven't yet found someone that looked like me (guess that makes me "one-of-a-kind". I have read your review and a few others on this book and already have it on my "to-read" list. Sign me up for the chance to win it.
Thanks,
judyg54(at)juno(dot)com
Nope, I've never been told I look like anyone.
Please enter me in the giveaway.
Blessings
Michelle V
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net
I really want to read this book, it is even on my wish list on Amazon. As for being associated with another person, I don't beleive that has ever happened, but people do get me and my mom confused when I answer the phone. :)
caseymh18(at)gmail(dot)com
the only one l have been told l look like is family memebers, never been told l look famous or like a long lost relative.. Percy
No, I don't know anyone who looks like me, and I have never been mistaken for someone else. But the book sounds wonderful. I'd love to read it. Please enter me. Thanks!
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
haha I love Izzie on GA! I am not sure if I look like anyone, but my friend's daughter looks like me! haha And my cousin looks like Liv Tyler. She's beautiful!
Megan
my email is in my profile :)
I must have a unique, one of a kind face... no doubles that I've heard of. Your review has me wanting this book, so please add me to the drawing. Thanks!
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
Funny, I'm told I have the same smile as Genna Davis and Mary Tyler Moore.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Would love to win this one...please enter me. Thanks!!
Don't favor anyone famous, but folks used to say a lady in church looked like me.
jackie.smith(at)dishmail(dot)net
I have had several people tell me now and then that I remind them of a friend, but no one famous.
I do however look like my older sister. So much so, that when I was in High School and she was in college, my dad thought I was her home from school.
Please enter me in the contest.
TKS
Penny
hull.margaret@ocls.info
Count me in! I always get people saying I look like their friends friend. I get it alot! Weird!
Carla in California!
cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com
I guess I am one of a kind... I've never been told I look like anyone else!?!
ladyverlina AT yahoo DOT com
Well, I have a twin sister, but we are actually fraternal :) But I would still love a copy of this book!! It is actually on my Amazon wish list!
mmb_12@yahoo.com
thanks
The only person that I look like is my cousin. No celebrity or author or anything like that. I actually look more like my cousin than my own sister.
This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance. bekki1820cb at gmail
I've heard of this book before and would love a copy to read! I don't think I look like any stars though I love Sandra Bullock, she's my hero. :)
My email is slkcivilrwr@gmail.com
Thanks!
When I had a perm in my hair and was younger I had people say I looked like Bernadette Peters.
The book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Sherry
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com
No people only tell me I look like my mom!! this sounds like a really great read! Thanks for the giveaway!
I have been told I look like my brother. Sad but true. As to celebrities--my aunt who is half blind said I looked like Meg Ryan but that was quite a few years back. Now I get the-"you look like Hillary Clinton." Strange how time has changed my reality.
I've been told by lots of people(different times, different places etc.) that I have a twin. Maybe I just have one of those common faces.
And the winner is...
Rebecca O!
Post a Comment