Rosh's Reviews > Self-Portrait with Nothing
Self-Portrait with Nothing
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In a Nutshell: Could have been brilliant but ends up as average. Innovative concept. But the execution transcends multiple genres and creates a mishmash of experiences. The choppy pacing doesn’t help. Debut work, so I will cut it some slack.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The concept is truly unusual. While multiverses and doppelgangers have been a part of various fictional works, using art as a medium to access these rather than the more typical technological entryways was a novelty.
✔ Pepper and Ike make for an interesting couple. Neither overly lovey-dovey nor totally indifferent, their relationship comes across as quite relatable. Their connection is more based on the mind than on the body, and this shows in their repartee and their strong connection with each other even through non-verbal communication. While some of their arguments were too trivial and hence avoidable (which is what happens between couples in real life too), I still liked how they were portrayed so realistically.
✔ There are some interesting secondary characters, the best being Pepper’s lesbian moms Lydia and Annie.
✔ The title is perfect for the story, though I can’t reveal its relevance now as it will be a spoiler. (The cover is brilliant too!)
✔ The story makes good use of its locations. I especially enjoyed the parts set in Poland.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ The pacing isn’t consistent. It was too slow during the initial three quarters and too rushed in the final quarter.
❌ The story covers various genres: magical realism, drama, family, literary fiction, speculative fiction, mystery and thriller. Unfortunately, these aren’t blended well and the plot goes hopping from one to another, creating a choppy feeling as you go along. The initial sections are more dramatic while the finale is like an action thriller. As a character-driven story, the book hinges entirely on the actions of its characters, which may not work well for plot-driven content lovers.
❌ While the plot vaguely reminded me of Blake Crouch’s ‘Dark Matter’, it left a lot untouched. There could have been so much more explored with respect to the alternate universes, but the story sets itself very firmly in our world. The whats and whys of the multiversal technicalities remain unexplained.
❌ It overdoes the reference to alternate universes while Pepper is musing. Especially in the first half, after every few lines, we hear “in another universe,…[assumption about what would/could have been]…” These multiversal what-if ramblings get too repetitive and boring soon.
❌ The ending feels somewhat anticlimactic. So many things are left unsaid. There’s no closure.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at a little more than 11 hours, is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky. She is simply brilliant! There are plenty of characters to keep track of in this story, but thanks to her narration, not once did I falter on the identity of anyone. The only issue is that there are plenty of text messages between Pepper and Ike, which becomes slightly confusing in the audio version as they appear in between another conversation or scene. If you think this isn’t a big issue, then audio is definitely the way to go for this mixed-paced story.
All in all, this isn’t a bad story, but it is also not as mind-blowing as it could have been by virtue of that brilliant concept. It is a strange book, but then again, it is speculative fiction – there’s no fun in this genre without a shade of bizarreness to the content.
This debut author certainly shows promise, and with a bit of editorial fine-tuning, her future works are sure to be more impactful. I’ll definitely keep her on my radar. I don’t know how I would have felt if I were reading this due to the varying pace and genres, but the audiobook certainly helped a lot.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audio version.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Self-Portrait with Nothing”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Thirty-six year old Pepper Rafferty lives a happy average life. Abandoned as a baby, she was raised by the lesbian doctor couple who found her on their veterinary hospital’s doorstep. Pepper is married to Ike, an ordinary, easy-going man with excessive interest in historical journals. Pepper herself is a forensic anthropologist and loves her job.
There’s one thing about Pepper that no one knows: when she was fifteen, she discovered the identity of her biological mother, who was none other than Ula Frost, a notoriously reclusive painter famous for her paintings that supposedly summoned the subject’s doppelgangers to this world from an alternate universe.
Now Ula Frost is missing, presumed dead. Pepper suddenly finds herself at the centre of attention of various parties, good and bad—all of whom want to crack the secret behind Ula Frost, not realising that she is a secret to Pepper too.
Where the book worked for me:
✔ The concept is truly unusual. While multiverses and doppelgangers have been a part of various fictional works, using art as a medium to access these rather than the more typical technological entryways was a novelty.
✔ Pepper and Ike make for an interesting couple. Neither overly lovey-dovey nor totally indifferent, their relationship comes across as quite relatable. Their connection is more based on the mind than on the body, and this shows in their repartee and their strong connection with each other even through non-verbal communication. While some of their arguments were too trivial and hence avoidable (which is what happens between couples in real life too), I still liked how they were portrayed so realistically.
✔ There are some interesting secondary characters, the best being Pepper’s lesbian moms Lydia and Annie.
✔ The title is perfect for the story, though I can’t reveal its relevance now as it will be a spoiler. (The cover is brilliant too!)
✔ The story makes good use of its locations. I especially enjoyed the parts set in Poland.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
❌ The pacing isn’t consistent. It was too slow during the initial three quarters and too rushed in the final quarter.
❌ The story covers various genres: magical realism, drama, family, literary fiction, speculative fiction, mystery and thriller. Unfortunately, these aren’t blended well and the plot goes hopping from one to another, creating a choppy feeling as you go along. The initial sections are more dramatic while the finale is like an action thriller. As a character-driven story, the book hinges entirely on the actions of its characters, which may not work well for plot-driven content lovers.
❌ While the plot vaguely reminded me of Blake Crouch’s ‘Dark Matter’, it left a lot untouched. There could have been so much more explored with respect to the alternate universes, but the story sets itself very firmly in our world. The whats and whys of the multiversal technicalities remain unexplained.
❌ It overdoes the reference to alternate universes while Pepper is musing. Especially in the first half, after every few lines, we hear “in another universe,…[assumption about what would/could have been]…” These multiversal what-if ramblings get too repetitive and boring soon.
❌ The ending feels somewhat anticlimactic. So many things are left unsaid. There’s no closure.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at a little more than 11 hours, is narrated by Jesse Vilinsky. She is simply brilliant! There are plenty of characters to keep track of in this story, but thanks to her narration, not once did I falter on the identity of anyone. The only issue is that there are plenty of text messages between Pepper and Ike, which becomes slightly confusing in the audio version as they appear in between another conversation or scene. If you think this isn’t a big issue, then audio is definitely the way to go for this mixed-paced story.
All in all, this isn’t a bad story, but it is also not as mind-blowing as it could have been by virtue of that brilliant concept. It is a strange book, but then again, it is speculative fiction – there’s no fun in this genre without a shade of bizarreness to the content.
This debut author certainly shows promise, and with a bit of editorial fine-tuning, her future works are sure to be more impactful. I’ll definitely keep her on my radar. I don’t know how I would have felt if I were reading this due to the varying pace and genres, but the audiobook certainly helped a lot.
3.5 stars, rounding up for the audio version.
My thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “Self-Portrait with Nothing”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
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Self-Portrait with Nothing.
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Reading Progress
October 5, 2022
– Shelved
October 5, 2022
– Shelved as:
arcs-not-started
October 20, 2022
–
Started Reading
October 25, 2022
–
Finished Reading
October 27, 2022
– Shelved as:
3-5-stars
October 27, 2022
– Shelved as:
audiobook
October 27, 2022
– Shelved as:
netgalley
Comments Showing 1-43 of 43 (43 new)
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Melissa (Trying to Catch Up)
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Oct 27, 2022 11:39AM
Wonderful review Rosh!
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Fabulous review, Rosh, and thanks for mentioning that you liked the narrator! I'll keep her in mind for future books.
Excellent review, Rosh! I’m not sure if I’d have the patience for this one even though the concept sounds interesting. I’m glad the audio was a good experience!
Fair review, Rosh! Bummer this fell a bit short though. Great premise but mediocre execution seems to be a common theme in books lately lol.
Biological identity discovery at 15, sounds like an interesting premise. Lovely reviews as always, Rosh! <3
Well you made it sound fascinating - despite your reservations but the concept is one that may get be to add it to my ever growing TBR list
Great review
Great review
A solid review, Rosh; specific and analytical. The book does sound conceptually strong, so too bad about the execution. Also, not to damn someone with faint praise, but I like the character names you mentioned. Pepper? Ike? I am so everlastingly tired of characters named Allie, Jessica (some version of,) Alex (some version of, also,) Finn and Nick. Good to see somebody still has an imagination.
So hard when a book tries to do too much and suffers because of it! Sounds like the author has a lot of potential though, so I’m glad it was a promising debut. Fantastic review, Rosh! 💗
Awesome review, Rosh, Gald that the audiobook enhanced the reading experience. The premise is definitely intriguing.
I know the feeling when a book SHOULD have been better especially with that premise! A thoughtful review Rosh dear 💗
fantastic review, Rosh!! I've seen this flying around so I'm really glad to read your high praise! this sounds like such an interesting & cool read! xx
Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Wonderful review Rosh!"
Cara wrote: "Great review, Rosh💖!!!!!!"
Thanks, Melissa and Cara! 💕
Cara wrote: "Great review, Rosh💖!!!!!!"
Thanks, Melissa and Cara! 💕
MarilynW wrote: "Fabulous review, Rosh, and thanks for mentioning that you liked the narrator! I'll keep her in mind for future books."
Thanks, Marilyn! 💕 This is the first time I've heard her narration but even I'll be keeping her in mind for the future. She was too good!
Thanks, Marilyn! 💕 This is the first time I've heard her narration but even I'll be keeping her in mind for the future. She was too good!
Jasmine wrote: "Excellent review, Rosh! I’m not sure if I’d have the patience for this one even though the concept sounds interesting. I’m glad the audio was a good experience!"
Thanks, Jasmine! 💕 I am sure I would have run out of patience had I been reading it instead of hearing it! 😄
Thanks, Jasmine! 💕 I am sure I would have run out of patience had I been reading it instead of hearing it! 😄
Yun wrote: "Fair review, Rosh! Bummer this fell a bit short though. Great premise but mediocre execution seems to be a common theme in books lately lol."
Thanks, Yun! 💕 Very true, though I suppose we should be happy at least there are still original ideas out there. :D
Thanks, Yun! 💕 Very true, though I suppose we should be happy at least there are still original ideas out there. :D
Meghna wrote: "Biological identity discovery at 15, sounds like an interesting premise. Lovely reviews as always, Rosh! <3"
Thanks, Meghna! Definitely an interesting premise. It would have worked wonders at the hands of a more experienced writer. 💕
Thanks, Meghna! Definitely an interesting premise. It would have worked wonders at the hands of a more experienced writer. 💕
Adnamy wrote: "Well you made it sound fascinating - despite your reservations but the concept is one that may get be to add it to my ever growing TBR list
Great review"
Thanks, Amanda! I hope you enjoy it more than I did. 💕
Great review"
Thanks, Amanda! I hope you enjoy it more than I did. 💕
Donna wrote: "A solid review, Rosh; specific and analytical. The book does sound conceptually strong, so too bad about the execution. Also, not to damn someone with faint praise, but I like the character names y..."
Thanks, Donna! LOL at your point about the names. I have been longing to read ordinary names in my books because the ones I pick have authors with an overactive imagination. I then struggle to find the right spelling for the names uttered in the audio versions! 😄
Thanks, Donna! LOL at your point about the names. I have been longing to read ordinary names in my books because the ones I pick have authors with an overactive imagination. I then struggle to find the right spelling for the names uttered in the audio versions! 😄
Catherine wrote: "So hard when a book tries to do too much and suffers because of it! Sounds like the author has a lot of potential though, so I’m glad it was a promising debut. Fantastic review, Rosh! 💗"
Absolutely agree, Catherine! It had a lot of potential and I am sure I will try this author even in future. Thanks much! 💕
Absolutely agree, Catherine! It had a lot of potential and I am sure I will try this author even in future. Thanks much! 💕
Srivalli wrote: "Awesome review, Rosh, Gald that the audiobook enhanced the reading experience. The premise is definitely intriguing."
Thanks, Sri! The audio kind of saved the rating because the haphazard pacing would have had me complaining in an actual read. Fab premise though.
Thanks, Sri! The audio kind of saved the rating because the haphazard pacing would have had me complaining in an actual read. Fab premise though.
Federico wrote: "Sad it didn't blow your mind but glad you enjoyed. Great review Rosh!"
Thanks, Federico!
Thanks, Federico!
Tina wrote: "I know the feeling when a book SHOULD have been better especially with that premise! A thoughtful review Rosh dear 💗"
Thanks much, Tina! So glad you understand the disappointment. 💕
Thanks much, Tina! So glad you understand the disappointment. 💕
Carolyn wrote: "Very fair review Rosh. Such a shame the book didn't follow through on such a good premise."
Thanks, Carolyn. Indeed, a wasted chance. It could have been so good!
Thanks, Carolyn. Indeed, a wasted chance. It could have been so good!
Chantel wrote: "fantastic review, Rosh!! I've seen this flying around so I'm really glad to read your high praise! this sounds like such an interesting & cool read! xx"
Thanks, Chantel! I hope you like it a lot more than I did. 💕
Thanks, Chantel! I hope you like it a lot more than I did. 💕
Excellent review, Rosh! That is a large genre blend! I can see where it wouldn't be enjoyable if they weren't working together very well. 💗
I do love a unique read, although it is such a shame about the pacing, ending and other issues turning this into an average read! Wonderful review Rosh 🧡
Kat wrote: "Excellent review, Rosh! That is a large genre blend! I can see where it wouldn't be enjoyable if they weren't working together very well. 💗"
Thanks Kat! ♥ Exactly - a bit too ambitious, I suppose, but quite a few debut works are guilty of the same issue. :/
Thanks Kat! ♥ Exactly - a bit too ambitious, I suppose, but quite a few debut works are guilty of the same issue. :/
Ellie wrote: "I do love a unique read, although it is such a shame about the pacing, ending and other issues turning this into an average read! Wonderful review Rosh 🧡"
Thanks Ellie! ♥
Thanks Ellie! ♥
Excellent review, echoed my exact feelings. Still, looking forward to see what the author will come up with next!
Rafaella wrote: "Excellent review, echoed my exact feelings. Still, looking forward to see what the author will come up with next!"
Thanks so much. Glad you felt the same way. I too am waiting to see what she writes next. She has an outstanding imagination for sure. :)
Thanks so much. Glad you felt the same way. I too am waiting to see what she writes next. She has an outstanding imagination for sure. :)
Lovely review Rosh 💕. I get pretty disappointed when the pacing is really inconsistent. It spoils the whole story. And no closure ending also seems like a red flag. Open endings work only fewer kind of books
Suja wrote: "Lovely review Rosh 💕. I get pretty disappointed when the pacing is really inconsistent. It spoils the whole story. And no closure ending also seems like a red flag. Open endings work only fewer kin..."
Thanks, Suj! ♥ I think the audiobook really helped maters in this case. Plus, the premise was really cool. :)
Thanks, Suj! ♥ I think the audiobook really helped maters in this case. Plus, the premise was really cool. :)
Suburb review Rosh! Sorry this one fell short for you. I think overall you've been on a great book run, after reading your other reviews. I hope that your next one is better! :) <3