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2.82 AVERAGE
2.82 AVERAGE
The Body Double by Emily Beyda is a free NetGalley ebook that I read in early January.
A woman, who’s exact-minded, rigid, disciplined, yet extremely devoted, chooses to act as a double for a celebrity on an emotional and mental fritz with the guide of her regulator/tender Max, all while retaining the seams of herself from where the fabric of the star begins. For some reason, this brings to mind the character Rita Farr from Doom Patrol (as having a need for someone to cover for her when her mutation takes effect) or the viewpoint of Kim Novak’s character in Vertigo.
A woman, who’s exact-minded, rigid, disciplined, yet extremely devoted, chooses to act as a double for a celebrity on an emotional and mental fritz with the guide of her regulator/tender Max, all while retaining the seams of herself from where the fabric of the star begins. For some reason, this brings to mind the character Rita Farr from Doom Patrol (as having a need for someone to cover for her when her mutation takes effect) or the viewpoint of Kim Novak’s character in Vertigo.
I need to apologize to everyone at my doctor's office today because I was so engrossed in this book I kept having a hard time coming back to reality!
I like the author's writing style--she has an eye for unusual details. Like a film noir mystery from the 40s, it takes a while to figure out the setting and plot. This was an engaging, fast read--just take it to the beach or the plane, not somewhere people want your attention! ;)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC.
I like the author's writing style--she has an eye for unusual details. Like a film noir mystery from the 40s, it takes a while to figure out the setting and plot. This was an engaging, fast read--just take it to the beach or the plane, not somewhere people want your attention! ;)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC.
This excellent book is almost like watching one of those great noir films of yesteryear, made fresh with references to modern culture and our obsession with celebrities. The unnamed narrator of the book is eking out an existence in a small town, where she works the concession stand at a movie theater that has seen better days. Her boss introduces her to Max, a mysterious man who offers wealth and a new life if the young woman, who bears a resemblance to a famous woman, Rosanna Feld, is willing to move to Los Angeles and become Rosanna's double. What's the catch? The narrator must keep everything confidential and be willing to give up all contact with anyone she knows now, disappearing completely into a new life. Can she keep up the pretense and fool Rosanna's friends, the media, and the paparazzi? This psychological thriller is worth a read! -Louisa A.
Everyone will be talking about this book. Emily Beyda's debut novel, The Body Double, is a destabilizing, immersive fairy tale nightmare.
With a premise straight out of a tabloid conspiracy theory, our unnamed protagonist is recruited as a look-alike for a famous now-reclusive celebrity, Rosanna Feld.
She's chosen because she's perfect -- the look is right, and she has no one. At the end of her service, she is promised a new, better life, the freedom to be whoever she wants to be. But will she make it that far?
There's truly not a lot of that happens -- our cast of characters is tight -- but the feeling of dread is real. The thrill and fear inside is a psychological slow burn. It will keep you guessing, make you feel trapped, delusional, make you question everything.
This thing is well written. I'm often let down by the writing in this genre, but this one kicks it up a notch and feels like I'm reading from an expert at her craft. I can't wait to see what else this debut author comes up with!
With a premise straight out of a tabloid conspiracy theory, our unnamed protagonist is recruited as a look-alike for a famous now-reclusive celebrity, Rosanna Feld.
She's chosen because she's perfect -- the look is right, and she has no one. At the end of her service, she is promised a new, better life, the freedom to be whoever she wants to be. But will she make it that far?
There's truly not a lot of that happens -- our cast of characters is tight -- but the feeling of dread is real. The thrill and fear inside is a psychological slow burn. It will keep you guessing, make you feel trapped, delusional, make you question everything.
This thing is well written. I'm often let down by the writing in this genre, but this one kicks it up a notch and feels like I'm reading from an expert at her craft. I can't wait to see what else this debut author comes up with!
2.5 stars rounded up. I was excited to read this, and unfortunately the excitement didn't stick it out all the way through. Great idea, good attention to detail, but not I felt like there wasn't really a plot.
I am not sure what to say about this novel. The premise is what hooked me. (Seemingly) plucked off the streets, a young girl is given the opportunity of a lifetime: a famous actress is recovering from some sort of breakdown but needs to keep up appearances; your job is to slide into that role, a body double, to fool the press and keep relevant.
But it’s more than just a few restaurant appearances. It’s talk shows. Red carpets. Dinner parties with intimate friends. You have no contact with your previous life. It’s as if you failed to exist.
It starts off with the New Rosanna being left in a one bedroom apartment for days on end as she studied notecards about the original. Then the videos came out. Role play. Diet and exercise. Then the plastic surgeon shows up.
This novel went from weird to weirder. You do t have anyone to root for. The New Rosanna begins to feel the original on her body? Starts to have memory lapses and the line between real and imaginary is lost. And then you have her creepy helper Max. His level of obsession is frightening; does he want this plan to succeed….. or does he have darker motives at hand.
This novel pushed hard to fill that new American gothic genre with a modern twist, in my opinion. It was a good premise and good plot, but I am not a fan of the execution and ending. It could have been played a straight as a book club wine night selection and been just as interesting. I agree I did struggle .
But it’s more than just a few restaurant appearances. It’s talk shows. Red carpets. Dinner parties with intimate friends. You have no contact with your previous life. It’s as if you failed to exist.
It starts off with the New Rosanna being left in a one bedroom apartment for days on end as she studied notecards about the original. Then the videos came out. Role play. Diet and exercise. Then the plastic surgeon shows up.
This novel went from weird to weirder. You do t have anyone to root for. The New Rosanna begins to feel the original on her body? Starts to have memory lapses and the line between real and imaginary is lost. And then you have her creepy helper Max. His level of obsession is frightening; does he want this plan to succeed….. or does he have darker motives at hand.
This novel pushed hard to fill that new American gothic genre with a modern twist, in my opinion. It was a good premise and good plot, but I am not a fan of the execution and ending. It could have been played a straight as a book club wine night selection and been just as interesting. I agree I did struggle .
*sigh* This was such a disappointment. I should’ve listened to the damn reviews and passed on it, but I was hardheaded. The synopsis was promising, but actual book just didn’t do it for me. It was drawn out with the same damn thing for far too long. The repetition was painful. I only finished because I just KNEW that something would eventually happen. But the climax was such a letdown and don’t you know “Rosanna” went back to the same damn thing. I would say this book is comparable to slamming your head over and l we again against the wall; you want it to stop but you aren’t stopping. Save your time and energy and skip it. My two stars are for the idea of book. That’s it.
Ugh this book had so much potential. The premise is great and I think it could have been really interesting but it was very slow and repetitive. At one point I wondered if the pacing was intentional to put the reader in the same trapped/controlled space as the protagonist. Either way, it was a bit of a drag to get through. If I hadn’t been listening to the audiobook I would have put this book down pretty early on.
My other main issue with the book is that it’s a whole lot of build up for a reveal that was pretty obvious the whole time. I kept waiting for the twist, which was mostly what kept me going, but it never came. Also the naivety and the actions of the protagonist were extremely unrealistic in my opinion. I am glad I gave this one a try but honestly, I’m leaving the experience feeling frustrated and wishing for more.
My other main issue with the book is that it’s a whole lot of build up for a reveal that was pretty obvious the whole time. I kept waiting for the twist, which was mostly what kept me going, but it never came. Also the naivety and the actions of the protagonist were extremely unrealistic in my opinion. I am glad I gave this one a try but honestly, I’m leaving the experience feeling frustrated and wishing for more.