Took a break from Ducks, Newburyport to read book number ten.
10. The Echo Wife - Sarah Gailey
Evelyn Caldwell is a brilliant scientist who, in the opening pages, attends an award ceremony in recognition of her ground breaking, cutting edge research. Evelyn makes genetically cloned replicas - physically identical, single-use, disposable cloned replicas. Unfortunately, her ex-husband Nathan has used Evelyn and her science to make himself a new wife. A newer, 'better', Evelyn. She's called Martine.
The story unfolds after Martine calls Evelyn desperate to meet with her. She delivers, in person, her impossible news and the impossible events continue to unravel from there. The main story is interspersed with Evelyn's memories of her childhood and how her parents actions shaped her, making it possible for her to be the person she is. In many ways, Evelyn reminded me a lot of the character of Cristina Yang in Grey's Anatomy - brilliant, uncompromising, little to no time for people who can't keep up with her, and a bit blind to her relationships coming apart at the seams. Yet Evelyn is also cooler, a little crueler, maybe. Martine on the other hand is compliant, obedient, and quiet.
I don't think I would classify this as 'sci-fi' although the science here is definitely fictional and a healthy suspension of disbelief is required at times (just how well hidden is Nathan's garden??).
This is not just a story about clones though. This a story about degrees of separation, like the ones necessary for Evelyn to do her work, it's about how well we really know the people we love and how well we know ourselves. What is programmed, unavoidable, unchangeable about ourselves, and what parts can we fight against? What is a person? What makes them more than a clone? Evelyn starts out thinking she knows the difference, but we see a lot of her uncertainty as the tale unfolds.
It was pretty good.
Back to Ducks!