Customer Reviews

Girl In The Mirror

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read this book a while back, but I still remember how much I liked it. In fact, I stayed up late just to see how the plot would unfold. This story is so unique, it's hard to describe except maybe as a "Flowers for Algernon" about a woman's face. <G> Born with a disfigurement, Charlotte is made beautiful by the miracle of cranio-facial surgery and becomes a big star. But a reaction to the surgery forces her to choose between her new, gorgeous face or undoing the reconstruction. There are two compelling men involved, a touching romance, and a race against the clock to see which path Charlotte will choose. Cool, huh?

As other reviewers have hit on most of my points, I will skip some.

I want to add that I am very impressed with the level of research Mary Alice put into this work. For me, it bumped a 3-star read to four stars.

The depth at which she portrayed Michael's family and their Mexican heritage was enlightening for me as a non-Latina. The way the familia deals with issues from Michael's choice to work half a continent away, to homosexuality, to the place of women in the family (and how said women dealt with it), felt authentic. It was neither sugar-coated nor denigrated. It was as it was.

Charlotte's deformity and surgery seemed to be fairly well researched, too. Although I couldn't quite picture her before the surgery, I certainly felt the impact on her life. Then, issues related to the surgery seemed legitimate, even though I am not knowledgeable in the field.

Two points kept this from being a 5-star read. The meteoric rise in fame was difficult to believe, especially in combination with her slavish devotion to her agent. While she appeared to be tempered by her experiences growing up, she pretty much handed her career over to a near-has-been agent. This surprised me, given the amount of strength I thought she possessed.

The other point was the inexplicable jealousy her agent felt toward Michael Mondragon. Prejudice and status explained the problem just enough for me to buy it, but for not wanting to get her into bed, the agent was extremely possessive.

Overall, I highly recommend this novel. The other Mary Alice Monroe novel I have read is Skyward. That, I would give 5 stars!

Charlotte Godfrey (nee Godowski), a Polish-American actress has a tragic secret. Born with a cranio-facial defect, she has reconstructive surgery in 1991 at age 20 to correct a minimal chin. She suffers from a complex regarding her appearance all of her life and after a traumatic encounter with some boys during her kindergarten year (1976-77) and an attempted rape by her employer some 15 years later prompts her to act.

Like Sleeping Beauty, Charlotte revels in her new image in the mirror. Like Cinderella, she meets a prince from California who literally sweeps her off her feet. Like the Ugly Duckling, she feels as if she has developed into a beautiful duck (cygnets are young swans). She embarks upon a successful film career after her reconstructive surgery.

In 1996, Charlotte, then 25 has to confront the decision she has made about her reconstructive surgery. She literally has to make a decision that not only will affect her career, but her life.

I did find the story a tad implausible. I found her whirlwind success as an actress rather hard to believe and the story did follow a nice little formulaic pattern. It was also easy to figure out the true identity of some of the characters and the "surprise" ending was really not a surprise to me.

Even though it was a nice little forumlaic package, it was an entertaining read. Mary-Alice Monroe has written other books that are so much better than this one, so this work is really not up to her usual par.

There are several reasons that 'Girl in the Mirror' is a wonderful read and always selling out...but the most important one for me is that I enjoy a well written story. I love to come home from work and cuddle up with a book that is going to enliven my imagination, widen my horizons and take me away from the daily frazels of modern day life. (hey, I think about plastic surgery every time I look at the girl in my mirror)
All of Monroe's books pay homage to the private and important concerns of woman; and we all share and benefit in that exchange.
Thanks Mary Alice.

I read this book awhile back but have definitely not forgotten about it. It is a very compelling story of a girl, Charlotte, who has facial deformities. She is brave enough to have surgery done that not only corrects the problem but turns her into a beauty. But then something happens that leaves her having to decide which is more important: beauty or health.

I found myself experiencing a wide range of emotions while reading this book. I was sad for her and was cheering her on in other parts of the book. Once I started reading I could not stop. I had to find out what happened to her!!! This is a must read book!!!!!!!!!

Mary Alice Monroe once again writes a powerful novel about a woman's moving journey to self discovery. In this modern day parallel to the ugly duckling fable, Monroe tells the unforgettable story of Charlotte Godowsky/Godfrey's transformation and subsequent search for true beauty. This was not my first Monroe novel. I searched for it after reading THE BEACH HOUSE and THE BOOK CLUB. Loved them all and highly recommend them!

Monroe's story of a young woman's search for the meaning of true beauty was compelling. I couldn't put thye book down. And the strong Latino hero and his family was great. I recommend it highly!

I truly loved this book and I didn't think I would. I think every woman can relate to not liking a physical feature of yourself - but the main character went through years or torment over hers. Granted, I sincerely doubt that 99.9% of us would have sooo much good fortune in our lives after altering a part of ourselves, but if you look beyond this one thing, the story itself is truly great.

charlotte godowski is a very talented young director of her community plays. when people meet her they immediately notice her fantastic figure and then they see her face. charlotte only wishes that people could look past her face and see into her soul. her dream is to become a famous actress. she has the talent, but she is just too ugly. mary alice monroe has created a palable character that will suck you into her life and love story. you will enjoy this book!

Charlotte Godowski was used to being stared at as an ugly freak of nature. When she was a little girl, her peers taunted her. However, when she turns twenty, she undergoes excruciating surgery that turns her into a Hollywood beauty.

Charlotte changes her name, hires an agent, and makes a push to becoming a star. Her dreams are almost fulfilled especially when she meets Michael Mondragen. However, she fears that her past could haunt her future, especially when her health threatens to turn her nightmare into reality. Charlotte may have had her face repaired, but her soul is still scarred and only the love of a good man can fix that.

GIRL IN THE MIRROR is a heart-wrenching, sensitive tale that will delight readers of poignant contemporary romances. The motives of the characters are brilliantly developed, though the story line makes too many attempts at grabbing readers hearts, turning the well-written novel at times into an overly emoted soap opera. Sti! ! ll, Mary Alice Monroe has scribed a gut-invoking tale that will elate fans that enjoy a five-hanky novel.

Harriet Klausner