3.5 Stars

American Ellen Baxter embarks on a journey to Paris with her Nobel Laureate husband. He is set to attend a physics conference, and while he engages in what he calls "the most interesting conversation I've had in months" with colleagues at the hotel restaurant (oh, how nice of him to say that to his wife *eye roll*), Ellen decides to explore the city's sights.

Coincidentally, Ellen's first day in Paris is the day before the tragic death of Princess Diana. She finds herself mistaken for Diana by the paparazzi, which initially confuses her. However, after the crash, Ellen feels an inexplicable urge to visit the site of the wreck. There, and later back at the Paris Ritz Hotel, she begins to hear the voice of Diana and gradually discovers interesting parallels between their lives.

The cover of this book might give the impression of a light and fluffy read. And indeed, at times it is. But overall, the story reveals itself to be much more complex and layered than it initially seems. Through the account of Diana's unhappy marriage, difficult divorce, and untimely death, we also learn about the similar hardships in Ellen's marriage (thankfully, without the tragic ending). When the two stories are combined, the reader is presented with a captivating examination of a woman's role as a wife in general terms - the good, the bad, and the struggle to break free from the shadow of a spouse who is regarded as more successful in society. But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. There is also plenty of humor sprinkled throughout the narrative. This story even made me wonder how entertaining it would have been to swap mother-in-law venting stories with Diana!

A couple of things for readers to bear in mind:

* This book does not have chapter divisions. Instead, only paragraph breaks are used to indicate scene changes - just a heads up for those who are particular about format.

* Some of Ellen's inner thoughts are quite sexually explicit or otherwise graphic... again, a warning for readers who prefer their stories to be more tame.

If you have any interest in the Princess Diana story, this novel offers a unique perspective on the events, while also providing thought-provoking commentary on the ideas of domestic harmony and maintaining a strong sense of self-worth within a partnership.

The word "morose" describes a person who is gloomy, sullen, and often in a bad mood. A morose individual may seem withdrawn and uninterested in the world around them. They might have a tendency to brood and be easily irritated or depressed.

Morose people often find it difficult to enjoy life's pleasures and may focus on the negative aspects of situations. Their mood can have an impact on those around them, as their gloominess can be contagious.

However, it's important to remember that everyone experiences periods of being morose from time to time. It could be due to stress, disappointment, or other factors. Recognizing and addressing the underlying causes of this mood can help a person break free from their morose state and start to see the brighter side of things.

In conclusion, while being morose can be a challenging and unpleasant state to be in, it is possible to overcome it with the right mindset and support.

3.5 stars

This is a truly unique book, and as such, it may not have broad appeal to the general reading public. However, I firmly believe that there is far more to it than what initially meets the eye. One just has to dig deeper to discover its hidden gems.

I was initially drawn to this book because it makes mention of Princess Diana. When I was younger, I was a devoted follower of Princess Diana, and I vividly remember exactly where I was when I heard the tragic news of her untimely demise. I was completely glued to the news coverage for several consecutive days. The mere idea that this book might in some way deal with that aspect intrigued me to no end. And indeed, it does touch upon that, but it also offers us a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a mid-life woman. It explores her thoughts, fears, and desires. She is married to an academic and feels that her life has essentially become his "trophy," and that she no longer truly counts. The entire book is highly thought-provoking.

Interestingly, after reading the book, I decided to Google the author out of curiosity to see what she looked like. I even wondered if perhaps she might bear a resemblance to Princess Di herself. Let's just say that my findings were quite eye-opening and made me view what I had read in a slightly different light. Her life, in some ways (and perhaps even many ways), mirrors that of Ellen, the main character. It added an extra layer of depth and understanding to the story for me.

I have to admit that there are many who didn't take a liking to this book. But for me, I am truly glad that I happened upon it. I deeply appreciate its diversity and honesty. It has made me think and reflect, and for that, I am grateful.

No spoilers per se, but some points that the book jacket contains.

I've seen a lot of criticism for this book in the reviews and I can understand it. This is not the type of book where there is a storyline, setting or character that you can lose yourself in. It is definitely an odd read and is probably not a general audience book.

Most of the book takes place inside the narrator's mind, which led me to a lot of reflection on my part. This book is written from the point of view of 30-something-year-old Ellen at the time that Princess Di died in Paris (in the late 90s). With my being only 23, there were some parts that I couldn't relate to, including a lack of knowledge about some of the particulars surrounding her death and her marital struggles. Since Ellen's husband is a Nobel prize winner in physics, the characters use physics terms as metaphors and explanations. But it's definitely not complex physics that an average reader wouldn't understand. (My extent of physics knowledge comes from The Big Bang Theory, and I understood it just fine.)

That all being said, I couldn't put this book down. It was a thought-provoking novel in the sense that you wonder exactly why the narrator is "hearing" Diana in her head and why the death of the Princess of Wales affects her so much. We learn of her personal struggles and some aspects of her life, past and present. It's the type of story where the reader can see where some of the dysfunctionality comes from but the characters do not see it.

The tone of the book doesn't change very much throughout, but I think one of the most beautiful parts of it would be the character study of a sad, beautiful housewife who is questioning her life up to this point. We see similarities between her and the constantly heartbroken Diana and I personally came to love her as a character and empathize with a struggle that I truly cannot relate to.

This book offers a unique perspective that might not be for everyone. However, for those who are willing to explore the inner workings of a complex character's mind, it can be a rewarding read. The use of physics terms adds an interesting layer to the story, making it both intellectual and emotional. The connection between the narrator and Princess Di is both mysterious and captivating, leaving the reader with a lot to think about long after they've finished the book.

Total crap about Princess Diana haunting a bored, rich trophy wife.

It's truly a far-fetched and uninteresting concept.

Who would believe such a thing?

It seems like a desperate attempt to create some sort of sensational story.

Princess Diana was a beloved figure, but using her in this way is just disrespectful.

I was really hoping for something more engaging and meaningful.

Instead, I got this load of nonsense about a supposed haunting.

It's a waste of time and doesn't do justice to the memory of Princess Diana.

Surely there are better ways to tell a story or explore a theme.

This one just falls flat and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I'll be looking for something else to read that doesn't involve such ridiculousness.

This is a very different kind of book indeed.

It tells the story of a woman who is mistaken for Princess Diana right before her tragic death and then falls for a paparazzi photographer.

The concept itself is quite unique and has the potential to be captivating.

However, for me, it was hard to hold my interest throughout the entire book.

Perhaps it was the pacing or the way the story was developed that didn't quite click with me.

Nevertheless, it does offer an interesting take on a what-if scenario and explores themes such as identity, love, and the media frenzy surrounding a public figure like Princess Diana.

Despite my initial lack of engagement, I can see how others might find this book to be a fascinating read.

It's definitely a book that stands out from the crowd and offers something different for those looking for a unique literary experience.

The story commences when a woman finds herself being erroneously identified as Princess Diana. This initial misidentification sets the stage for a series of events that unfold with the tragic death of Princess Di.

However, what truly makes this story shine is the in-depth character study of the woman at its core. She is a charming and affectionate wife, yet she is grappling with fundamental questions about her own identity and the values she holds dear.

As the narrative progresses, we witness her journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance. It is a journey filled with both moments of clarity and moments of confusion, as she tries to make sense of her place in the world.

Overall, this is a story that delves deep into the human psyche and explores the universal themes of identity, love, and loss. It is a thoughtful and engaging tale that will leave readers pondering long after they have turned the final page.

I've never come across anything written quite like this before. It is truly very well written, with extremely strong emotions that manage to draw the reader in and hold their attention.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a vivid and engaging narrative that makes the reader feel as if they are right there experiencing the events along with the characters.

However, for me, the ending is a bit of a letdown. After building up so much tension and anticipation throughout the piece, the conclusion feels somewhat rushed and incomplete.

It leaves me with a sense of dissatisfaction and a feeling that there could have been more. Nevertheless, despite this minor flaw, the overall quality of the writing is still very high, and I would definitely recommend this piece to others.

I have to admit that I picked up this book simply because I am a die-hard fan of Robert Olen Butler. I had the impression that he and Elizabeth Dewberry were married, and indeed they were, but that was in the past tense.

After devouring the book, I decided to do a quick Google search on Elizabeth Dewberry to learn more about her. To my surprise, I discovered that her marriage had come to an end in a rather public and dramatic fashion. It dawned on me that I had completely missed out on all this juicy gossip several years ago.

Nevertheless, I found myself really liking this book. I can just imagine the author's displeasure if she were to find out that I purchased it for a mere $2.99 from the closeout table. But regardless of how I acquired it, the fact remains that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

A very odd book indeed! It catches your attention from the moment you lay eyes on it. The cover is perhaps a bit unusual, with colors and images that seem to defy convention. As you open it, you're greeted with a world that is completely different from what you might expect. The words on the pages seem to dance and play tricks on your mind. The story unfolds in the most unexpected ways, taking you on a journey that is both thrilling and confusing. You can't quite put your finger on what makes this book so odd, but there's something about it that keeps you coming back for more. It's a book that challenges your perception of what a book should be, and in doing so, it offers a unique and unforgettable reading experience.

Started out boring and a little weird. I found myself unable to engage with the book right from the beginning. The initial chapters seemed to lack a clear direction and were filled with strange characters and events that didn't immediately draw me in. I don't have time to read books that are going to be of borderline interest to me. Life is too short and there are so many other books out there that I'm truly excited about. So, it was a quick return to the library. I'm hoping to find something that will capture my attention from the very first page and keep me hooked until the end.

**3 1/2 Stars**

This rating of 3 1/2 stars indicates a solid performance or quality. It's not quite a full 4 stars, but it's definitely above average.

Perhaps there are a few areas that could be improved upon, but overall, it's a commendable effort. It shows that the subject in question has many positive aspects and has managed to meet or exceed expectations in several key areas.

However, the 3 1/2 stars also suggest that there is still room for growth and development. Maybe some additional features or enhancements could be added to take it to the next level.

Nonetheless, a 3 1/2 star rating is nothing to be ashamed of. It's a good starting point for further improvement and a sign that the subject has the potential to achieve even greater things in the future.

Whether it's a product, service, or experience, a 3 1/2 star rating is a testament to its value and worth. It gives others an idea of what to expect and helps them make an informed decision.

So, if you come across something with a 3 1/2 star rating, don't be too quick to dismiss it. Take a closer look and see if it might be the right fit for you. You might just be pleasantly surprised.