How would you feel if you woke up inhabiting the body of a different person each and every morning? You awake and have to adjust to their world, access their memories, and go along with their life, relating to their families and friends, doing their homework, going to their parties, and then the next day, move on to the next person. This is how A lives. And A is fine with this, until A meets Rhiannon, who changes everything. Because, for the first time, A has fallen in love. What this does to A and what this does to Rhiannon creates a very beautiful, if not difficult love story that is imaginative and a little insane all at once.
This young adult novel has been around for a bit of time (has already been made into a movie even), but I have only just had a chance to read it – and I’m happy I did. The premise is so creative, and while you might think it would get “old” after a few times of switching, it does not because of how wildly varied each of the lives are that A inhabits . It is, of course, implausible, but because it doesn’t take itself too seriously, it is quite fun. The author also creates a slight undercurrent of threat that adds a little suspense to the plot, which enhances the story and enables the twists that occur. Along the way, too, there are many opportunities to wax poetic about the ways in which we are all fundamentally similar, whether it is with regard to gender, sexuality, religion, or culture, which the author never passes on – and which I appreciate. This is the beauty of the story, I believe. (I will say that because of this, I am quite surprised when A is quite stereotypically critical of the body A inhabits that is extremely overweight. He shames him to no end, even lowering to accusing it as stemming from laziness – so surprisingly pedestrian. Amidst all the other open-mindedness, this is an utterly disappointing moment in the book.)
I think it’s a very cute story, with a very creative premise. A quick, fun read. Great for the young teen in your world!
kindread spirits 