Customer Reviews

Mirror Image

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I have written several comments for Amazon.Com. regarding novels by Ms.Steel which I have read. Each time I have admitted that her books are enjoyable to me as they offer a nice diversion from the many serious, well-written novels by other novelists. I think of Danielle Steel as a novelist I like to read in-between tackling more challenging ones - like when one wants to watch a TV movie. In "Mirror Image" I have to admit I was pleased with the ending for it wasn't wrapped up in a nicely neat fairy-tale ending. I hope Ms. Steel continues to write more realistic conclusions. However, much of "Mirror Image" was disappointing. The story of Olivia and Victoria, two identical, mirror image twins, with two very different personalities takes a long time to progress. Victoria scandalizes the family by having an affair with a married man and her father, in order to rectify the family name, forces her to marry a man she does not love, but whom her twin sister loves. Much of what follows is predictable and it is not until Victoria goes to Europe to help with the war that "Mirror Image" becomes interesting. Ms. Steel is not a great writer; therefore, it is her story-telling capabilities which sets her apart from other romance writers and which always keeps this reader enthralled. Unfortunately, "Mirror Image" did not move - it just coasts along. Not one of Ms. Steel's best efforts but, as I said before, I hope she continues writing endings like this one.

Danielle Steele has outdid herself with another great book. I enjoyed the family closeness of the characters in the book. The romance was great. I liked the bonding between the twin sisters.

I have only experienced three (going on 4) of Danielle Steel books. Any fan would know it's hard to choose a favorite... but "Mirror Image", I can say, left a smile on my face and a lasting impression. If you're big into family and the ties that bind siblings but you're also a hopeless romantic (like myself), then you'll simply LOVE this book. A thought provoking, heart-warming and heart-aching book, "Mirror Image" will teach you the power of love siblings can have for one another and the power of Love in general. If you have brothers or sisters... you can relate. If you have none... you'll learn the power... the eternal power... of the love siblings can share for one another as well as learn the healing power of Love. This was a breathtaking book... and well worth the read. Even the abridged version leaves an impression.

So many people on Amazon gave this book a bad rating, so when I picked this book up I was almost afraid to read it. But I am so glad I did. This book starts out only one year after the Titanic tragically sinks. We meet Olivia and Victoria Henderson, two strikenly beautiful mirror image twins. One could not tell one from the other. Olivia is the calm and surreen one where as Victoria is the wild feminist. After a visit to New York, Victoria disgraces her good name. Her father becomes so horribly enraged and forces her to marry a man she didn't love. A man meant for her sister Olivia. His wife had died on the Titanis and he was left taking care of his little boy. This book will take you to New York all the way to war ravaged France. You will laugh and cry and look at life in a whole new beautiful day. This novel will make you love yourself and love the simple blessings you are granted. Don't let yourself pass this book up. Embrace it and love it like a beautiful child. Let the words speak to your heart and soul. And along the way LEARN! You will love this book.

The plot itself made me want to read this book. I found it intriguing how it revolved around a pair of beautiful twins who are identical only in appearance. The fact that Victoria had an affair with a married player causes her father to engage her to Charles. However, Olivia is obviously the one suited to him. She's the one who finds him respectful and whom adores his child. The new engagement is convenience only on both parts of the party. There is no love. Victoria marries to cover the scandal of the affair and Charles needs a mother for his child. Victoria eventually convinces Olivia to switch. She wants to go to the battlefields. Victoria sinks in a ship but later is discovered that she is actually alive. From that point on, both the twins find love. And voila, you got the plot.

And yet, it was just so poorly written at times!(the first half anyway). There were many times where Danielle Steel kept talking about 1)how identical they looked 2)how beautiful they were 3)how Charles felt Victoria was more wild and fiesty. 4)how ppl kept staring at their remarkable beauty. It just started getting corny after a while and I found myself rolling my eyes at times. I get the point after the first 5 times...

I love Danielle Steel's books but this one isn't as good as some of her others. For another book with almost identical plot, I suggest reading 'Deceptions' by Judith Michael.

Mirror Image is the story of "mirror" twin sisters Olivia and Victoria. The two have been raised since birth by their father who cannot tell them apart. When they were children they would "switch identities" to do things the other twin didn't want to or couldn't do. They try to pull this off in adulthood after Victoria has an affair with a married man and then is forced to marry her father's lawyer. To add some spice to the story Victoria's sister Olivia is very much attracted to Charles, the lawyer, and his young son Geoff. Geoff was on the Titanic with his mother when it sunk. She died and so now Charles is raising Geoff on his own. This is why he agrees to marry Victoria. The "switch" occurs after Victoria decides she cannot be married anymore and wants to go to Europe to help with the War.

This story seems to be about a good twin and a bad twin. As sweet as Olivia is Victoria is just as bad. The story was OK but it seemed to take forever to set up everything. The switch doesn't take place until halfway through the book. After that things seem to move more quickly and the story becomes more entertaining. The characters are typical of those found in Danielle Steel novels. The whole "switching" storyline did seem to be a little far-fetched to me. How could a husband not know that someone else was pretending to be his wife?? In fact, no one seemed to notice that Olivia was standing in as Victoria. I just don't see how this could happen in real life.

This was an OK read to pass the time. I have read much better Danielle Steel books. I would recommend Malice, No Greater Love, The Ring, or Lightning instead of this book.

What an interesting story by Danielle Steel! The two identical twin sisters, Victoria and Olivia, switched places often as children to fool people. Now, as adults during the backdrop of WWI, they switch places again...only this is not a game. Victoria becomes involved with volunteering to help wounded soldiers in France. Olivia takes over her life back in the States. The plot then goes through ups and downs. But, through it all, the sisters keep their unbreakable bond. The ending is somewhat of a suprise, as I did not expect it from a Steel novel. The story progresses slowly at first, but it is well worth the wait. By the time you get to the backdrop of the war, you won't be able to put it down.

After reading this book, I'm so glad there is only one of "me".
This is a novel that keeps you reading...surprises & all.
You love to hate some of the characters. If you have a long weekend or extra time, pick it up, you won't be able to put it down

I loved Danielle Steel's Mirror Image. I was captured from the first page. Not a dull moment in the whole book. It was written beautifully, I couldn't put it down. Keep up the good work!

For the Henderson sisters their bond was like no other, they were twins and no one could tell them apart, even their father got them confused. Vitoria was the wild child who loved to partisipate in suffrage movements, she never liked to stay in one place. Olivia was the more serious of the two the only thing she lived for was making others happy, she stayed at her father's estate. Olivia longed for her sister's husband while Victoria wanted out of the marriage. So they did something everyone would have never thought, switched places. "I'm leaving" pg.326 was one of the most important quotes in the book. This qoute is said by Victoria when she decides she can't live in a loveless marriage anymore. When she says this you know she means business and there is nothing that can change her mind. This is the foundation for the reason that they switch places. This is a romance book and it rates one of the best I have ever read. Even though i haven't read many this book wants me to read more. If you like history, because it deals some what with it, and romance then this is the book for you. If you don't like to brush up on your history then it isn't a book good for you. I must say that if it wasn't for the romance I wouldn't have read the whole book. If this is how Danielle Steel writes all of her books, I would suggest reading them all.