Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s Reviews > No Two Persons
No Two Persons
by
“I think each story has its own life. In the beginning, it lives in the writer’s mind, and it grows and changes while it’s there. Changes the writer, too, I’d bet.” He smiled at her, then continued. “At some point it’s written down, and that’s the book readers hold in their hands. But the story isn’t done, because it goes on to live in the readers’ heads, in a way that’s particular to each of them. We’re all caretakers of the stories, Alice. Writers are just the lucky ones that get to know them first.”
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a story about a book, “Theo” written by Alice Wein. It is also the story of the twenty-five-year-old author, Alice, who has poured her heart and soul into her debut novel. It is also the story of nine people who read her book – or rather, a collection of stories each of which features someone who has read “Theo” and the difference it has made in their lives - a literary agent and her assistant who is also a new mother, an actor turned audiobook narrator, a homeless teenager, a professional diver who tests his own boundaries, an artist seeking inspiration from the world around her, a bookseller who embarks on a personal relationship only to find it less than fulfilling, a coordinator who works in the movie business and a widower in his sixties grieving the recent loss of his wife - people from different walk of life, in different stages in life, facing his/her/their own set of challenges. While I wouldn’t call these stories interconnected in the true sense of the term, they are connected by a common thread – “Theo” by Alice Wein.
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a special book. Beautifully written, intimate and thought-provoking with characters who are real and relatable, these stories made me think of some of the books that I have loved and the stories that have stayed with me through the years – the books that came to me at the very right moment and left an indelible impact. Overall, this is an emotional read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I believe this book would appeal to those fond of character-driven short stories.
“No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” -The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860
Like all books, this one will touch us in different ways. But I am confident that all of us who love to read would agree that books are much more than a hobby for us – they are our friends, our refuge, our sanctuary - they teach us, they make us cry, they make us smile, give us perspective and so much more. It is this sentiment that the author expresses so beautifully through this novel.
“Maybe not consciously, but that was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go.”
Many thanks to author Erica Bauermeister, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
by
Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile (recovering from an arm injury; on a short review-writing break)'s review
bookshelves: netgalley-arc, favorites, 2023-favorite-reads
Mar 29, 2023
bookshelves: netgalley-arc, favorites, 2023-favorite-reads
“I think each story has its own life. In the beginning, it lives in the writer’s mind, and it grows and changes while it’s there. Changes the writer, too, I’d bet.” He smiled at her, then continued. “At some point it’s written down, and that’s the book readers hold in their hands. But the story isn’t done, because it goes on to live in the readers’ heads, in a way that’s particular to each of them. We’re all caretakers of the stories, Alice. Writers are just the lucky ones that get to know them first.”
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a story about a book, “Theo” written by Alice Wein. It is also the story of the twenty-five-year-old author, Alice, who has poured her heart and soul into her debut novel. It is also the story of nine people who read her book – or rather, a collection of stories each of which features someone who has read “Theo” and the difference it has made in their lives - a literary agent and her assistant who is also a new mother, an actor turned audiobook narrator, a homeless teenager, a professional diver who tests his own boundaries, an artist seeking inspiration from the world around her, a bookseller who embarks on a personal relationship only to find it less than fulfilling, a coordinator who works in the movie business and a widower in his sixties grieving the recent loss of his wife - people from different walk of life, in different stages in life, facing his/her/their own set of challenges. While I wouldn’t call these stories interconnected in the true sense of the term, they are connected by a common thread – “Theo” by Alice Wein.
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a special book. Beautifully written, intimate and thought-provoking with characters who are real and relatable, these stories made me think of some of the books that I have loved and the stories that have stayed with me through the years – the books that came to me at the very right moment and left an indelible impact. Overall, this is an emotional read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I believe this book would appeal to those fond of character-driven short stories.
“No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.” -The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860
Like all books, this one will touch us in different ways. But I am confident that all of us who love to read would agree that books are much more than a hobby for us – they are our friends, our refuge, our sanctuary - they teach us, they make us cry, they make us smile, give us perspective and so much more. It is this sentiment that the author expresses so beautifully through this novel.
“Maybe not consciously, but that was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go.”
Many thanks to author Erica Bauermeister, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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Reading Progress
February 15, 2023
– Shelved
March 25, 2023
–
Started Reading
March 29, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 111 (111 new)
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Tina
(new)
Mar 29, 2023 09:17PM
This one has been getting a lot of high praise! Such a wonderful review Sujoya 🌟
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Splendid review, Sujoya; I really enjoyed it.
I love the concept of a book within a book! This sounds like such a poignant novel - thank you for the great review, Sujoya!
So nice to see yet another positive review for this one! I'm SO looking forward to it. Lovely review, Sujoya!
Wonderful review, Sujoya! Your words made this story sound really amazing! I need to check it out. :)
Tina wrote: "This one has been getting a lot of high praise! Such a wonderful review Sujoya 🌟"
Thank you so much, Tina!🌺
Thank you so much, Tina!🌺
Jen CAN wrote: "another great review for this one. It is on my list. Thanks Sujoya"
Thank you so much, Jen!😊 I look forward to your thoughts!
Thank you so much, Jen!😊 I look forward to your thoughts!
Srivalli wrote: "Beautiful review, Sujoya. Those 5 stars make me very happy! I have this on my list. :)"
Thank you so much, Srivalli!😊 I hope you love this one too!
Thank you so much, Srivalli!😊 I hope you love this one too!
Jayme wrote: "I loved this book, and your personal thoughts about it! Wonderful review!💞"
Thank you so much, Jayme!🧡 I'm glad this was a winner for the both of us!
Thank you so much, Jayme!🧡 I'm glad this was a winner for the both of us!
Darla wrote: "Now I am really looking forward to reading this one. Thrilled to see your stellar review, Sujoya! 🌟"
Many thanks, Darla!🌺 I look forward to your thoughts!
Many thanks, Darla!🌺 I look forward to your thoughts!
Rachel wrote: "Outstanding review, Sujoya! 💗 So glad that you enjoyed this book too!"
Thank you, Rachel!🧡 Glad this one was a good read for the both of us.
Thank you, Rachel!🧡 Glad this one was a good read for the both of us.
Lori wrote: "I love the concept of a book within a book! This sounds like such a poignant novel - thank you for the great review, Sujoya!"
Thank you, Lori! 😊 I found the the format quite unique and the message truly resonated with me.
Thank you, Lori! 😊 I found the the format quite unique and the message truly resonated with me.
Rosh [busy month; will catch up soon!] wrote: "So nice to see yet another positive review for this one! I'm SO looking forward to it. Lovely review, Sujoya!"
Thank you, Rosh!😊 I hope you also enjoy this one!
Thank you, Rosh!😊 I hope you also enjoy this one!
Nika wrote: "Wonderful review, Sujoya! Your words made this story sound really amazing! I need to check it out. :)"
Thank you kindly, Nika!😊 This is a lovely read and I hope that you also like it if you decide to pick it up.
Thank you kindly, Nika!😊 This is a lovely read and I hope that you also like it if you decide to pick it up.
Dorie - Cats&Books :) wrote: "Yeah, so glad you loved this one also Sujoya :)"
Thank you so much, Dorie!😊
Thank you so much, Dorie!😊
Melissa (Hiatus for Work-Will Pop In When I Can)) wrote: "Excellent review Sujoya!"
Many thanks, Melissa!😊
Many thanks, Melissa!😊
Brandice wrote: "Great review, Sujoya! This one has sparked my interest."
Thank you, Brandice! Hope you enjoy this one!😊
Thank you, Brandice! Hope you enjoy this one!😊
Terrie wrote: "Excellent review, Sujoya!🧡I happy to see this one touched you, too. It’s one I would read again!"
Many thanks, Terrie!💗 I agree. I intend to get myself a copy for my personal collection.
Many thanks, Terrie!💗 I agree. I intend to get myself a copy for my personal collection.
Debra wrote: "Fantastic review, Sujoya! I am looking forward to this book so much!"
Thank you so much, Debra!😊 Happy Reading!
Thank you so much, Debra!😊 Happy Reading!
Marialyce (absltmom, yaya) wrote: "I loved it too! So happy you did as well."
Thank you, Marialyce!😊 I'm glad this was a winner for you too!
Thank you, Marialyce!😊 I'm glad this was a winner for you too!
Your review is beautiful, passionate, and so compelling, Sujoya. You have convinced me. The importance of books? relatable characters? Fine writing? How can I resist? Thanks for the strong recommendation.