This is a fictionalized version of the life of two people with multiple identity disorder. The author, in his acknowledgements, says that he used sources for his research, but he doesn't name any. Not having this disorder myself, or knowing anyone with it, I can't judge how accurate a potrayal of it his characters have. It does make a good story, and the reader is able to become fairly invested in the characterizations. ( )

Strange. I know I wrote a review of this many months ago but let me try to reconstruct. Spoilers noted. I learned a lot about multiple personality disorder, including that it is now referred to as dissociative identity disorder (DID). Ruff's main character, Andy Gage, who suffers from DID is compelling, and I loved the way the character deals with his subpersonalities, to whom Ruff has done justice. The different therapeutic approaches are interesting too. Great research, inventive story, I blame the publisher or editor. Somebody should have reeled Ruff in.

***Mild spoilers***

The rough Ruff stuff though: I simply could not buy that Julie would stumble upon not one but two people with DID in this town. Further, the Julie character is a mess, both her characterization and Ruff's characterization of her.

Mouse/Penny? I liked the addition of this character aside from having been brought into the story via the Julie DID-whisperer.

***Bigger spoiler***

Then there's the very unnecessary business with Andy's landlord having lost her family to a harassing serial murderer. Why, Matt Ruff? And the car crash business with Andy being triggered by watching the guy abuse his kid. Too much. And the denouement with the rogue sheriff from the past. Nah, dude. Too much. Much much too much. Too over the top. ( )

https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3784740.html

barely SFnal in that the viewpoint characters both have forms of multiple personality disorder, and the extent to which their different personalities have reality can be interpreted to different extents; but I found the Seattle setting thoroughly convincing, the characterisation engaging, and the gradual reveal of the twist ending very satisfying. I did wonder for the first half of the book how precisely it fulfilled the Tiptree Award mandate of exploring gender, but it all became clear on page 237. A worthy winner. ( )

by the author of "Lovecraft Country," I bought as gift for DC (since "Lovecraft" was a page-turner." She liked it just OK.

Geniale. Questa è la parola che più si adatta a questo romanzo.Geniale l'idea di base, geniale l'intreccio, geniale la struttura narrativa.
Un romanzo di crescita ma anche un Giallo che deve essere risolto su due piani della realtà, fuori e dentro la testa del protagonista affetto dalla sindrome delle personalità multiple.Scordatevi Patrick McGrath però, e fatevi avvolgere da una trama fantasiosa e affascinante.
( )