Within the first few chapters, I could see where this book was headed. That's not intended to sound presumptuous or imply that I'm disappointed. On the contrary, it's a feather in the cap of this brilliant work. And it's a testament to the fact, in literary form, that life is less about the destination and so much more about how we arrive there (and who we meet along the way).
The cast of characters in this novel complements each other extremely well, and the split reality setting creates a tangle of emotional and physical situations that play off each other in compelling ways through both of Lydia's worlds.
I could feel the angst alongside the elation, like a rollercoaster ride that that's caught in a vicious cycle, high after low, over and over again. But the calming influence of all those individuals representing the support system around the main character smooths out those violent swings until her double vision comes into a solitary focus.
Catching a glimpse of what might be possible in a parallel world… it's tempting to entertain those visions. And even inside the safe confines of a fictional story, Ms. Silver shows just how complicated and dangerous it is to take that detour, but also how incredibly eye-opening and influential it has the potential to be, if we remember to focus on the life that waits for us when we open our eyes and begin each day anew.
Two lives become one. It's an overarching theme to this novel, in so many different ways, and it reminds me of a quote from Mae West: "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." Lydia Bird does it right, and she serves as an inspiration for everyone looking to find their way through grief and pain to find comfort and love.
Dave’s Rating: ☕️☕️☕️☕️
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