The Opposite of Me

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Beth F, July 12, 2010 (view all comments by Beth F)
Lindsey Rose is destined for fame. She's developed some of the most well known ad campaigns for some of the biggest companies in the world. Life in New York is exciting . . . but Lindsey doesn't exactly know because she lives her job. In fact, the only real friend she has is Matt, and she is able to maintain that relationship because they work together.

At twenty-nine years old, Lindsey is just about to become the youngest vice president her firm has ever had. And then she isn't. And then she does the first reckless thing she's ever done in her life. And then she finds herself without a job and living with her parents in Maryland.

Sarah Pekkanen's debut novel, The Opposite of Me, does indeed explore opposites, especially the differences between Lindsey and her twin sister, Alex, and between Lindsey's old high-powered career and her new easygoing job.

But the novel goes deeper, taking as its central theme the idea that from a young age we fall into the roles and self-image we are rewarded for. Unfortunately, those roles don't always reflect who we truly are. Further, once our eyes are opened, there is no map showing us the way to escape our own and others' expectations.

Although The Opposite of Me has many elements of contemporary women's literature, Pekkanen rises above standard chick lit to focus on deeper issues than happily ever after. It is easy to care about Lindsey and her family, and we root for her ultimate success on her journey to self-discovery. Despite being a bit predictable, the book is an enjoyable read.

I would recommend the novel for book clubs because it offers a variety of discussion topics. Additional themes are child-parent relationships, sisters, twins, careers, boyfriends, and relationships with business colleagues.

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janmah51, May 17, 2010 (view all comments by janmah51)
This is a story about twins Lindsey and Alex. Lindsey is the smart one, Alex is the pretty one. I thought this was a stretch because of the incredibly stupid things Lindsey does when she doesn't get the VP promotion she wanted. She loses her job and her life in NYC. Tail tucked, she returns home. Here she finds out some things that turn everything she thought she knew about herself and Alex upside down. Overall I liked the book. I even came to like Lindsey. It is a fast read and an interesting take on sibling rivalry.

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Product Details

ISBN:

9781439121986

Author:

Pekkanen, Sarah

Publisher:

Washington Square Press

Subject:

Sisters

Subject:

Humorous fiction

Subject:

General

Subject:

Family life

Subject:

Contemporary Women

Subject:

General Fiction

Subject:

Literature-Family Life

Publication Date:

20100331

Binding:

TRADE PAPER

Grade Level:

General/trade

Language:

English

Pages:

400

Dimensions:

8.25 x 5.31 in 11.2 oz