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jacki_f's review against another edition
2.0
"I see you everywhere" is a story about two sisters, Louisa and Clem. Born three years apart, they are very different and have a complex relationship: irritated by one another but also strongly connected, turning to each other whenever they have crises in their lives. They take turns narrating the story and sometimes it's not clear for a while which sister is talking, although in time it settles to alternate by chapter.
The book spans 13 years, from 1980 through to 1993, with a final chapter set in 2005. Essentially it's a series of disjointed snapshots from the sisters' lives. I found it disconcerting that something momentous could happen in one chapter (a relationship foundering, a head injury causing amnesia), which barely if ever gets referred to again.
I really liked Glass's first novel, "Three Junes", but I was very disappointed by this book. It is a novel which is character driven not plot driven. Unfortunately the characters just aren't very sympathetic or involving. For the most part, I didn't care about any of them. In fact, I actively disliked them (with the exception of an elderly aunt who dies at the start of the book). Having said that, there is a significant event which takes place towards the end of the book (I don't want to give anything away here as it came as a major surprise to me), which made me realise that I cared more about these characters than I had previously thought.
I strongly considered giving up on this book at the 100 page mark, but I persevered. I kept hoping that it would get better and it did improve, but not enough for me to recommend it.
The book spans 13 years, from 1980 through to 1993, with a final chapter set in 2005. Essentially it's a series of disjointed snapshots from the sisters' lives. I found it disconcerting that something momentous could happen in one chapter (a relationship foundering, a head injury causing amnesia), which barely if ever gets referred to again.
I really liked Glass's first novel, "Three Junes", but I was very disappointed by this book. It is a novel which is character driven not plot driven. Unfortunately the characters just aren't very sympathetic or involving. For the most part, I didn't care about any of them. In fact, I actively disliked them (with the exception of an elderly aunt who dies at the start of the book). Having said that, there is a significant event which takes place towards the end of the book (I don't want to give anything away here as it came as a major surprise to me), which made me realise that I cared more about these characters than I had previously thought.
I strongly considered giving up on this book at the 100 page mark, but I persevered. I kept hoping that it would get better and it did improve, but not enough for me to recommend it.
asurges's review against another edition
4.0
I'm just going to cut Julia Glass some slack: nothing will ever equal "Three Junes," which is one of my top-ten all-time favorites. However, in this book--which is about two sisters--she employs her standard easy use of language; her characters talk like characters, not like an idea of what she wishes they could sound like. The banter between the sisters--and the animosity--is so well done that she explores the sibling relationship but mostly from the angle of how we think we know the people in our families and how we think they belong to us in a way, but they don't. There are parts of them we just, quite simply, will never know.
cmcclure9's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. I enjoyed that Glass truthfully portrayed the complex relationship that often occurs between sisters.
jcouchoud's review against another edition
2.0
This book takes a weird twist near the end that seems to come out of nowhere and really ruined the book for me. Also the Louisa character is just annoying and I couldn't get myself to empathize with her at all.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
What a book! A powerful and insight book into the struggles between sisters. Being a half of a sister pair, I am the older one, but our lives and roles have changed throughout the years - even by the week. We have each had to take a back burner to the other in our parents eyes when our lives have been up or down. We have shared in the joy and the pain of each other's life circumstances. I believe that sisters challenge each other more than any other relationship out there - you fight to be on top, but you praise each other when they get there.
These sisters that Julia created are human in that they grow apart, but still have each other to fall back on. They have real life experiences and I felt they were people that I could relate to.
I absolutely enjoyed reading a story that felt true and honest portraying sisters as they are - at times enemies while in the same moment the closest of friends.
For the complete review - http://krittersramblings.blogspot.com
These sisters that Julia created are human in that they grow apart, but still have each other to fall back on. They have real life experiences and I felt they were people that I could relate to.
I absolutely enjoyed reading a story that felt true and honest portraying sisters as they are - at times enemies while in the same moment the closest of friends.
For the complete review - http://krittersramblings.blogspot.com
lizaroo71's review against another edition
4.0
i really loved this book! it is about two sisters, louisa and clement, that are four years and two worlds apart.
the narrative is told from both women's perspective and begins in their early twenties and follow a twenty-five year time span. the relationship glass builds between the two women is very true. they are rivals, comrades, confidantes all in the time of a lifespan. which is what often happens with our siblings.
i am eager to read more from this author.
the narrative is told from both women's perspective and begins in their early twenties and follow a twenty-five year time span. the relationship glass builds between the two women is very true. they are rivals, comrades, confidantes all in the time of a lifespan. which is what often happens with our siblings.
i am eager to read more from this author.
emilyisreading2024's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know what it is, but I don't care for Glass' writing style. I also didn't like how often the point of view switched between the two narrators.
lindsayharmon's review against another edition
2.0
Glass's third novel follows two sisters at various points in their lives via vignettes alternately narrated by each. At first, adventurous Clem and traditional Louisa are rivals (although it was never entirely clear to me why); eventually they become somewhat closer, while still regularly bringing up the jealously and sibling rivalry that apparently have defined their lives. Despite the 15- or 20-year time span, not much seems to change until the very end, though; Clem has a series of crazy jobs and sleeps around, while Louisa has a series of unsatisfying monogamous relationships and wants a baby. Frankly, I was tired of both of them by the end of the book.
corgigirl02's review against another edition
2.0
Just ok. I could not get into any of the characters which turned this book into a project I just wanted to end. Improves slightly at the end, but still couldn't recommend to a friend.
mrk_eastbay's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't finish - the two sisters were equally unlikable and unbelievable.