beccacraven's review against another edition
4.0
*** I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. ***
I really enjoyed this novel. As with any piece of fantasy, there are some plot holes that can unravel the whole premise, but those are easy to overlook in this case because of well-developed characters and interesting writing. This is a great piece of whimsy that also manages to tackle some complex (and intense) real-world themes, drawing parallels between very different parts of the 20th century in the process.
I really enjoyed this novel. As with any piece of fantasy, there are some plot holes that can unravel the whole premise, but those are easy to overlook in this case because of well-developed characters and interesting writing. This is a great piece of whimsy that also manages to tackle some complex (and intense) real-world themes, drawing parallels between very different parts of the 20th century in the process.
janiev's review against another edition
3.0
I love the idea of this book, that a person could travel between their other selves in other times.
Here Greta Wells in undergoing a procedure that sends her and her others cycling between their present lives 1985, 1918 and 1941. Each of these Greta's are trying to perfect the mistakes that were made and to put things on what they consider the right track. The story is told from the view of 1985 Greta.
I find the use of the "life cycling" an interesting way to look at issues and social mores, and I think Mr Greer used this technique well. However, I am only giving it 3 stars as I was not as moved or felt the emotion that I would have liked to (but I know this can just be a subjective thing). In the end worth the read.
Here Greta Wells in undergoing a procedure that sends her and her others cycling between their present lives 1985, 1918 and 1941. Each of these Greta's are trying to perfect the mistakes that were made and to put things on what they consider the right track. The story is told from the view of 1985 Greta.
I find the use of the "life cycling" an interesting way to look at issues and social mores, and I think Mr Greer used this technique well. However, I am only giving it 3 stars as I was not as moved or felt the emotion that I would have liked to (but I know this can just be a subjective thing). In the end worth the read.
mandyherbet's review against another edition
3.0
Opening in 1985, Greta Wells is distraught over the death of her twin brother, Felix, from AIDS and the breakup of her 10-year relationship with Nathan. She begins a course of electroconvulsive therapy - otherwise known as electro-shock therapy - and suddenly finds herself transported to two alternative time periods (1918 and 1941), where she is married to Nathan and Felix is still alive. Each course of the therapy takes to her one of the time periods and switches her with the 'other' Gretas, who are also going through the therapy for different reasons.
I originally rated this as four stars but on further thought, I revised it down to three stars. I really enjoyed the concept but I thought it could have been dealt with a little less superficially. It deals with the idea of fate in many ways - Greta seems to be fated to be with Nathan and her aunt Ruth is an interesting plot device - someone she can share all the trials and tribulations of time travel with and who believes her wholeheartedly! It's a slim book and I think the author could have dealth a bit more with the emotional side of time travel - how is it that Greta (all three of them! accepts the situation without question? How do they all deal with the disorientation? How does 1985 Greta have to change her ideals to suit 1918 and 1941? We get none of this and I think the book suffers for it.
In the end, it's an easy read and enjoyable. I just think it could have been more.
I originally rated this as four stars but on further thought, I revised it down to three stars. I really enjoyed the concept but I thought it could have been dealt with a little less superficially. It deals with the idea of fate in many ways - Greta seems to be fated to be with Nathan and her aunt Ruth is an interesting plot device - someone she can share all the trials and tribulations of time travel with and who believes her wholeheartedly! It's a slim book and I think the author could have dealth a bit more with the emotional side of time travel - how is it that Greta (all three of them! accepts the situation without question? How do they all deal with the disorientation? How does 1985 Greta have to change her ideals to suit 1918 and 1941? We get none of this and I think the book suffers for it.
In the end, it's an easy read and enjoyable. I just think it could have been more.
lscheibal's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book a lot more than I expected to! Electro-shock and time traveling.
"For, as I stood before that white-painted door and thought of ruining everything, I knew that not all lives are equal, that the time we live in affects the person we are, more than I had ever thought. Some have a harder chance. Some get no chance at all. With great sadness, I saw so many people born in the wrong time to be happy."
"For, as I stood before that white-painted door and thought of ruining everything, I knew that not all lives are equal, that the time we live in affects the person we are, more than I had ever thought. Some have a harder chance. Some get no chance at all. With great sadness, I saw so many people born in the wrong time to be happy."
moogen's review against another edition
3.0
A pleasant read for planes and beaches... And that's not a bad thing
vanitar's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting take on a time travel story. I loved the relationships between the different characters and the development within Greta and how she faces life with determination and gusto. I skimmed parts of it but overall it was an easy and interesting read
debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
This book started out slow for me. Just when I thought to myself why is everybody talking about this book, it picked up and I didn't want to put it down. The premise definitely makes you view life and relationships in a different way. I really enjoyed it.
libbymon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Infidelity
Minor: Homophobia
bjls's review against another edition
4.0
If half stars were an option, I would have given The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells a 3.5. The premise is intriguing - seeing oneself alive in other times, interacting with the same characters, but in a different setting, with different societal rules. I was drawn into the story immediate and entertained to the end. But something was missing. Perhaps a lack of authenticity to the decades he worked within? I found Greta, Felix, Alan, Ruth and Nathan enjoyable, believable characters in some lives, but not as much in others. Or a bit of a drawn out, unsatisfying ending?
Suspend disbelief and try not to question the world Andrew Sean Greer creates for each of his Gretas and you'll enjoy the book for what it is: an interesting look at how our choices and complete chance shape the life we live and a laugh at the futility in seeking perfection.
Suspend disbelief and try not to question the world Andrew Sean Greer creates for each of his Gretas and you'll enjoy the book for what it is: an interesting look at how our choices and complete chance shape the life we live and a laugh at the futility in seeking perfection.
jenjen7824's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. It kept me engaged enough to keep reading, but I didn't love it...and I can't put my finger on the reason for not loving it.