I really didn't think I would like this book because I wasn't crazy about "The Time Traveler's Wife" - at least the way the story was written. But I did. I certainly didn't like the decisions that some of the characters made in it, but I think the ending wrapped things up nicely as far as "what goes around comes around".
My least favorite character: Elspeth (nee Edie) Selfish through and through. I am SO happy that Robert finally left her. I am just sad that Valentina and Robert trusted her in the first place.
Most interesting character: Julia. She started out being needy and selfish and bossy. She ended up being the one character that actually helped someone else. I love how she convinced Martin to take his OCD med and encouraged him to leave the apartment, in his own time, to go to Marijke. She also overcame her own "neediness" and possessiveness of Valentina and set her free. I love that! Julia will go on to lead her own individual life - with no regrets.
Valentina. Well, I started out feeling sorry for her, but that changed the more I realized she was bathing herself in self-pity. Although Julia's possessiveness and bossiness would have been annoying, no doubt, Valentina really didn't think of many people other than herself. This "plan" of hers. Honestly. The people hurt the most by a loved ones death are the people left behind. She seemed to have no regard to Julia or their parents. She certainly took after her aunt/mother! I believe that she was NOT happy though - until the very end when she was released by Julia and "flew away".
That brings me to Robert. I can't help but like Robert even though I DO NOT like some of the decisions he made, that's for sure! I understand that he had a true love for Elspeth - and that he was devastated by her death. I understand his attraction to Valentina (mother and daughter, after all) and his desire to give her her wish about being separate from Julia, but he was too much of a weenie to stand up to what was "right". He trusted Elspeth when he shouldn't have. He went through with the plan - and the aftermath - long enough to create a child. And THEN he comes to his senses. FINALLY. So in the end, Elspeth gets what she deserves: nobody. Robert loses both Elspeth and Valentina - but hopefully will return to London, minus ghosts.
So, what did I pick up on right away? THE BIG SECRET. Pretty easy to guess what that was. What did I NOT pick up on, even as it was happening? That Elspeth was replacing Valentina. What a clever plan. Seriously. I was too worried about Elspeth letting Valentina die to think her ulterior motive. Yeah, I REALLY did not like Elspeth.
So, I liked the book, liked the way it was written, liked the suspense, liked the characters - crazy as they were. Not ecstatic about some of the ending, but definitely a good read in my opinion.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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