My 50-page rule strikes again! It took me a little while to become invested in Mirror Me. I’m glad I persevered because I ended up really enjoying this unique and twisty psychological thriller from Lisa Willamson Rosenberg.
What’s Mirror Me about?
Mirror Me is about Eddie, who dramatically demands entrance to a psych hospital one night after thinking he murdered his lover, Lucy (who also happens to be his brother’s fiancé…). The novel is also about Pär, who exists only in Eddie’s mind as his “Other,” or alter ego.
Pär’s been in Eddie’s life as long as he can remember, taking over Eddie’s movements and thoughts at key moments in his history. However, Eddie can never remember what his body does when Pär takes over. Which is, obviously, a problem.
As the medical team tries to help Eddie remember what he and/or Pär might have done to Lucy, Eddie and Pär’s intertwined history is revealed to show what other memories and experiences Eddie may be forgetting… or, that Pär may be keeping from Eddie.
What I liked about Mirror Me
Mirror Me is a very different novel, and I really admire Rosenberg for writing such a bold story. Her storytelling style is unconventional, but after reading so many books that are similar to each other, Eddie and Pär’s story (stories??) was a breath of fresh air. Even if that story made me frustrated and confused at times.
Admittedly, that confusion became annoying after awhile. I can’t reveal too much about the parts that irked me, because that would give away too much of the plot. Mostly, it was things where you’re reading and you’re like, “Okay, but how would that have happened??” and “Why would that, of all things, be the coincidence?”
But, I hung in there and kept reading Mirror Me — and I was rewarded. All my questions were answered by the end of the book, which is pretty mind-boggling. Rosenberg makes the seemingly random moments make sense, if you’re willing to stretch your mind a little bit. And, especially if you’re a little woo-woo like I am.
Let’s talk about Pär for a minute
Pär, Eddie’s alter ego, is his own character in Mirror Me. You have to get past the fact that this dissociating entity is essentially talking and thinking for itself. It’s as if Pär is a fully formed person who just happens to be trapped in Eddie’s body. It reminded me of a demonic possession, from the perspective of the demon. (Though Pär isn’t a demon.)
Pär’s narrative is familiar and conversational, but his tone isn’t engaging. He directly addresses the reader, recounts things plainly and without any pretty poetic prose. It’s very clinical; very matter-of-fact and formal. It made me think of a tweedy European professor giving a psychology lecture, and it’s admittedly rather off-putting at first.
Pär also inserts a lot of his own thoughts and feelings into scenes that he’s narrating. It’s jarring, since it interrupts the storytelling flow. But, it’s also kind of a brilliant move on Rosenberg’s part. Is that constant interruption what Eddie experiences when Pär takes over? I found myself getting into the flow of the story better when I just accepted Pär’s inserts as a way to experience exactly what Eddie does.
What I didn’t love about Mirror Me (though I can appreciate it)
Mirror Me is a super interesting story, though it’s not told in the most dynamic and engaging manner. The action starts off slowly; it wasn’t until after page 50 that my interest was truly piqued. We learn a lot about Eddie from Pär, who narrates most of the novel. And when I say “narrates,” I mean it – Pär is definitely telling and not showing the reader what happens to him and Eddie as they go about their lives together.
As a result, I always felt I was a little removed from the action – much like how Pär must feel watching life through Eddie’s eyes, and vice versa when Pär takes Eddie over. So, while I normally don’t like “telling instead of showing,” I think Rosenberg used it in an effective way to enhance the reader’s experience.
Should you read Mirror Me?
Despite my initial difficulties with the book, Mirror Me is one of those stories I was still thinking about days after I finished reading it. The more I think about Eddie and Pär’s story, the more I appreciate it. The more I like it.
So, yes, I think you should read Mirror Me. Give it a chance, and give it more than 50 pages to capture your interest. Keep in mind everything I said in this review, and I think you’ll really enjoy it once you open your mind and invite this interesting and unique novel into your world.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for Mirror Me?
Check back in for the book-inspired recipe: Raisin Rugelach.
Although I received a complimentary advance copy of Mirror Me from Kaye Publicity, all opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.
