"The Echo Wife" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoiler thread.

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ misogyny, child abuse recounted, domestic violence (off-page), abortion recounted, blood & gore, murder (off-page) (hide spoiler)] from TWDB

[Hank, Hankenstein's Modster]

I liked this book despite it's flaws and am looking forward to the spoiler discussion

[Mike]

It started out slow. Are all the scientific details for real, or is it techno-babble? And does it matter? All the inclusion of medical procedures dealing with cloning is what slows the story down. Once I slogged through all that, the story picked up the pace and is starting to deliver on its premise. Whenever I come to more of the babble I just glide over it. I'll never understand all the ins and outs of cloning, and I don't know why I would ever need to. But the story is beginning to intrigue. So if you are having the same problem with the beginning as I did, stick with it. The tale is gettomg interesting.

[Alan]

Haven't started it yet as I just borrowed a Kindle copy from the local library. Being read by 2 groups I am in for this month so doing double duty.

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Started reading it today!

[Sarah D]

Mostly curious about where this story is going to go... Paused to watch this interview with Sarah Gailey and got me excited to continue reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdCXI...

[Bonnie]

Mike wrote: "It started out slow..."

It does seem slow. Some of these details seem mundane...

I kicked my shoes off next to the sliding glass door and made an involuntary noise at the relief of standing flat-footed. The carpet was new, installed just before I signed the lease, and it was a mercy to curl my toes into something soft.

Idly wondering, would writing it in third-person improve ("improve") the voice of it? No matter though, I will keep reading and expect the story will pick up speed soon.

So far reminds me of We Are Satellites a bit. Woman at work with domestic concerns, unsure of things.

[Mike]

Bonnie wrote: "Mike wrote: "It started out slow..."

It does seem slow. Some of these details seem mundane...

I kicked my shoes off next to the sliding glass door and made an involuntary noise at the relief of..."

Without a doubt you should continue reading. The story grows fascinating. Very intriguing ideas. I just had difficulty with the beginning.

[Chris Sherer]

At first I thought it was slow too. But I let too many days go by without reading. I had only read the first too chapters...so I started over today and got through chapter 7. Now I'm hooked. As far as the slowness of the beginning....I think the author may be up to something here. Yes it is a lot of detail...but also a lot of SENSUAL detail. Example 1: "I, inside the silk, was the same person I always was, but the gown was a costume that gave me the right to be notable." Example 2: "The carpet was new, installed just before I signed the lease, and it was a mercy to curl my toes into something soft." Example 3: "It felt like a stolen luxury, a finger dragged through the frosting of an uncut cake" I really like Example 3. It may be too much detail, but I can't help but think that the author is establishing this sensual detail for a reason. A reason that may be more clear as the story develops.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

this is great but please remember this is the "no specifics" thread. please bring quotes to the spoiler thread!

[Chris Sherer]

Ooops......sorry : )

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

it happens! no worries.

[Oleksandr]

I started it and plan to finish it tomorrow, now in the middle. Like Five Minds I've read with another group last month, it is a 'what if' book, which doesn't care about the probability of a described situation in the real world, but about setting an interesting and unusual situation we can relate to.

I like the style, I think that heroine's past with men (both father and husband) is a bit too dark, the way they plan to solve their problem (it's no spoilers thread) I expected right after the deed, so I guess he author overplayed it a bit

[Becky]

I’m about 30% through. It’s quite different to my normal sci-fi material of Azimov/ Clarke. This story is very focused on the main character and dipping into her past, then back to the present to continue the story. Its keeping me interested enough to keep picking the book up, so enjoying it so far.

[Leticia]

I like the suspenseful and tense atmosphere of the story and the characters are very deeply portrayed.

[Brian]

I just began reading this book -- only 3 chapters in. I know nothing about his book, I didn't even read the inside flap for a description. I am going in blind with the hope that I will be surprised.

Only three chapters in, I am thankful for the short chapters (earns bonus points already). The book I just finished had pretty long chapters, so it is a nice change of pace - also makes it easier to steal 5-10 minutes here and there to read a 7 page chapter.

[Daniel]

3 chapters in and I’m not sure how I’m feeling about this - the science feels “pseudo” and a little googling didn’t change that, but I’m no expert; personally, I’d like the details filled in around the jargon. The MC/narrator is so driven I’m getting mad scientist vibes already…

[Daniel]

I’ve quickly become totally opinionated an the MC/narrator - gotta finish this so I can read the spoilers thread!

[Chris]

I like to think that I am openminded. But about 3/4 of the way through it is reminding me that I am very much a guy.
But here we go again, yet another chapter listening to this womans emotional flip flopping. (so much flip flopping)
I have to assume that eventially something is going to actually happen.

[Oleksandr]

Chris wrote: "I like to think that I am openminded. But about 3/4 of the way through it is reminding me that I am very much a guy. "

I had a similar feeling :)

[Kaitlyn]

I went in completely blind to what this book was about. I've had it on my TBR for a bit so I'm glad to finally have a reason/opportunity to read it. I'm listening to the audiobook, which I think was a good choice for me personally.

I've read lots of comments about the MC being flip-floppy and I can't definitely see where they are coming from. I'm about 60% in and I am curious to see how this wraps up and looking forward to the spoiler thread!

[Daniel]

Kaitlyn wrote: "… flip-floppy …

Observation of flip-floppiness was attributed to the guyness of the reader. Not sure how you might categorize yourself, I seem to be an outlier, apparently fitting the definition of guy but also not seeing any flip-floppiness. But I have never been a “man’s man” (go sports!) either…

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

i look forward to hearing what flip floppiness means in the spoiler thread!

[Chris]

Like Daniel, I wouldn’t consider myself a “manly man” either. (no sports, although I do own a gun that I inherited from my father, that I shoot once about every 5 years) But holy emotional overload batman.
So avoiding spoilers, lets run through the flip floppiness in chapter 1
Happy (dress)
Apologetic (again dress)
Satisfaction (more dress)
Nostalgic (previous dress)
Paranoid
Bored
Nervous
Angry
Resolute/Determined
Nostalgic (again)
Amused
Nervous again
Finally, repressed psychotic rage.
I totally get that the author is building back story here, but this is 13 major emotional changes during which time absolutely nothing happens. The MC says 1 sentence “It was a group effort”. This isn’t a unique chapter. They are all this way. I keep waiting for something to happen. Ok one thing happened but that will have to wait for the full discussion.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

this is a good recognition of all the work and turmoil that can lurk behind even successful people given sufficient trauma! I will agree that she's repressing too much and we're maybe getting the movie speed of things, but a couple things here:

I'll accept a joke but if we're going to start categories that dehumanize people by sorting them into those who do competitive and violent things and those who feel, I'm gonna stop you there. I believe you're all complex humans deserving of your full identity no matter what, full stop. and I'll thank you to do the same!

I think this is all well beyond first impressions. please scoot over to the spoiler thread for more on this topic! to avoid defeating the purpose of this thread, I'll have to start deleting posts if they start discussing more than personal feelings (which, no matter your declared gender, you all seem to be doing admirably!) or broad strokes from the first few pages only.

thanks for all your thoughts! excited to discuss where we can all join in full technicolor detail!

[Daniel]

Allison wrote: "I'll accept a joke but if we're going to start categories that dehumanize people by sorting them into those who do competitive and violent things and those who feel”

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to impose stereotypes or suggest anyone didn’t feel. I was trying to be lighthearted with some comments that preceded mine. Let me know if I should take mine down.

[Chris]

Some people consider even the blurb on the GR book page to be a spoiler. You can safely say that you are reading the book now, you read the book a while ago, you're waiting for the book from the library, etc.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

no need to be sorry, I'm just heading this off! I recognize the intended humor, and I know there isn't malice in it. no worries, Daniel!

[Rebecca]

I also found the start to be a bit slow and heavy on the descriptions, several relating to a dress. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But I was easily drawn in by chapter 3ish. I'm listening to the audio book and its working well for me, perfect narrator imo.

I actually liked the bits about her feelings - aren't we all vacillating between various emotional states all day long? Now imagine yourself in a tense, uncomfortable situation. Did not seem off to me at all.

Can't wait to finish and head over to the other thread!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Sorry gents, I had to remove both your posts for spoilers. I heartily encourage you to repost in the spoiler thread!

[Rachel]

I read the “dedication” page at the end today while only a few chapters in. It may be a little spoiler-y but it also already feels like it will give the book much more emotional heft.

[Aga]

I'm about 30% in and I'm having a hard time reading it. After the first 2 chapters, I had to read the blurb to check if anything interesting is going to happen. I decided to give it a chance, but I don't like the MC and her mental mumbling is making me soooo bored. I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish this book.

[Liane]

Halfway in. Good build and it’s a fast read. I am enjoying the science/lab setting.