The Other Life, by Ellen Meister. 2011. New York, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, $24.95, paperback, 312 pages.
The Other Life sweeps you away. Quinn Braverman has the option to stay in her current life, or to slip through a portal to experience what her life would have been like if she had made different decisions. With everything seemingly falling apart in her current life, she is tempted more than once. The reader is swept away with Quinn as she despairs over her unborn baby’s fate and you really understand why she would want to explore the road not taken to escape.
Quinn’s mother was an artist who suffered from bipolar disorder. Her unique circumstances created this portal for Quinn (I don’t want to give anything away!) that threatens Quinn’s marriage and family while offering Quinn a new beginning.
This is a wonderfully gripping story about mothers and daughters. The relationship between Quinn and her mother and Quinn and her unborn daughter weaves an entertaining tale that you won’t be able to put down. I got hung up on some details in the beginning, but I was soon caught up in Quinn’s story. As a mother, I didn’t want her to opt to leave her family, but I could completely understand her pain.
Have you ever thought “What if..”? What would you do if you were faced with such an opportunity? Ms. Meister has offered some possible answers to these questions in Quinn’s dilemma. Check out Quinn’s story this month when The Other Life hits bookstores.
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Disclosure Statement: I did receive an advanced copy of this book as a prize.
