Customer Reviews

The Wrong Reflection

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the most basic traits of our humanity is our identity. Our identity is made up of our history, our memories, our personality and our relationships. But what would happen if you woke up one day and all of that was gone? You look in the mirror and you don't recognize the face that is staring back at you? You're in a hospital but you don't know how you got there?

The Wrong Reflection, by Gillian Bradshaw, is a science fiction thriller that begins dealing with this issue. Bradshaw is primarily known for writing historical fiction using her classical background. Whatever possessed her to try her hand at science fiction, I have no clue. However, she succeeds brilliantly using the talents that her previous genre no doubt taught her (I have not read any of her other books). She creates vivid characters and ties them into a tight thriller that makes you keep turning the page as you wonder what's happening. Unfortunately, the ending can't keep up the steam, and she uses a grammatical conceit that becomes increasingly aggravating.

The first half of The Wrong Reflection is a brilliant mystery, with Paul knowing even less than the reader. This makes the book even more enjoyable as you try to unravel what's going on before Paul can. The tension mounts as Sir Philip keeps trying to get Paul to check into a medical facility run by Stellar, and Paul knows that something is going on. But every time he starts to remember, he doubles over in pain and has a severe bout of nausea. I found myself wanting to read "just one more chapter" when I should have been going to bed. It was engrossing, and I really felt sorry for Paul and his predicament. Sandra was an intriguing character as well, feeling obligated to find out how the man she rescued is doing, and then sensing a kindred spirit, a man who wears his logical mind as a badge, and a man who is scared of everything around him. She becomes his anchor to the world, and also his lifeline. His memory is strange as he can remember many scientific things, but he can't remember how to put on pants (I found that part a little illogical, though it's slightly explained once the secret is revealed).

As the mystery is revealed, it becomes a standard "misunderstood alien is used and abused by an evil corporation for fun and profit" story with a scientific twist, lessening the impact. The villains are rather stereotypical, with Lloyd being the worst of the bunch. He believes his heart's in the right place but can't see why what he's doing is wrong. Other characters are less so, being far more interesting. There's a Michael Moore-like documentary director (though more honest) named Rod, and his lover and cameraman, Dave. Thankfully, nothing is made of the fact that they are gay, becoming just part of their characters rather than an agenda. Malcolm, the black home-nurse who is initially brought in to take care of Paul, suffers from this a little bit more. He is a well-rounded character, but his race becomes an issue when he asks Sandra if the fact that he's black is why she won't be with him (despite the fact that she's obviously already in love with Paul). This bit is just thrown in there and batted aside by Sandra, making the reader wonder why it was even there in the first place.

Bradshaw's writing is excellent, drawing the reader in with her words and making even the slower second-half of the book seem much better than it really is. Her prose is really well done and she writes with great economy. There's only one problem, and it may be a personal issue with me. I found the constant movement from one viewpoint to the other very annoying. Bradshaw moves from Paul's viewpoint to Sandra's and then back again, all within the same section of the book. Thankfully, these are the only two viewpoint characters she uses, or it would get even more confusing. I found it very discombobulating when I was reading Paul's thoughts and then all of a sudden I'm reading Sandra's. I know expert writers can break the rules, and that this can even be effective, but I don't think it was this time. It was distracting, and it really detracted from the book. Considering how great the rest of her writing was, I found it even more disappointing.

I can't say much about the science aspect of the novel, as I don't know a lot about magnetic fields and singularities. It sounded good enough to suspend my disbelief, which is all I ask for in a science fiction novel. It doesn't get very technical, so if hard science turns you off, you don't need to worry about it. Bradshaw explains it well enough so that you can understand it

The Wrong Reflection will keep you reading, despite the fact that it limps to the finish line after a wonderful start.

David Roy

Gillian Bradshaw is best known for her works of historical fiction/fantasy, and especially for novels set during the Roman Empire. For Bradshaw fans looking for more of the same, this could be a disappointment: "The Wrong Reflection" is a sci-fi thriller set in the present day. That said, the book is still one of her best -- exciting, suspenseful, and, as usual, written with grace and clarity.

The novel begins with a bang -- a young woman's attempt to save the life of a man apparently seriously injured in a car wreck, and keeps on at a stimulating pace, as the man awakens in the hospital, convinced he is not the man whose identification he carries and whose reflection appears in the mirror. Aided by the young woman and a crew of characters including a British/West Indian art student and a gay investigative reporter, the mystery man attempts to discover his identity, or the cause for his amnesia.

This was a page-turner from start to end. My only complaint was a rather contrived romance at the end. While the novel is radically different (sort of a Dick Francis thriller minus the horses crossed with elements of science fiction)from Ms. Bradshaw's previous works, it is every bit as good, and as enjoyable as her historical novels. Highly recommended.

I have not yet finished reading this book, but have a few thoughts about it. First, it is quite a departure for Gillian Bradshaw. It is the only one of her novels I know of that is set in modern day. I believe it is also her only science-fiction novel (though I could certainly be wrong about that.) It reminds me strongly of C.S. Lewis' forays into science fiction in style, title, and story (the use of "not-Anderson" is very "Lewis") and I wonder if this similarity is intentional. Also, I borrowed this book from the library, and it is categorized as a Christian book; although, so far, I don't see why! I'm sure it will become apparent. Surely this also hearkens to Lewis.

A bit of the plot reminds me of a novel I read about 7 years ago called THE DONORS. I believe it was by Gerald Et Al Harris ...The element of plot to which I believe Gillian Bradshaw may have referred in this novel was absolutely brilliant. I have never seen it used since.

All in all, I am finding this a very good book. I'm eager to find out how it turns out. I think Gillian Bradshaw is more at home and more skilled with historical and historically based novels, but this is definitely a fine book!

Passerby Sandra Murray rescues an unconscious stranger from the river after his automobile plunges into the water after an accident. She learns from his identifications that his name is Paul Anderson and he works as an executive at Stellar Research, an R&D firm. When Paul awakens at the nearby hospital, he has no idea who he is or any memory of just about anything else.

In spite of the amnesia, Paul instinctively distrusts anyone associated with Stellar Research, especially his superior Sir Philip Lloyd, but is not sure why. While he heals, his savior decides to make inquiries into his identity though she leans towards he is Paul. However, his terrorized look whenever Stellar Research is mentioned makes her determined to learn why.

THE WRONG REFLECTION shows the depth of talent that highly popular historical author Gillian Bradshaw has as she deftly provides a powerful amateur sleuth science fiction. The story line focuses on Sandra's investigation that takes her where no woman has gone before. She and the hero are a delightful duo whose star-crossed romance seems to fit the adage that it must have been the wrong time and the wrong place, but feels right. Science fiction, mystery, thriller, and romance readers will appreciate this taut tale that will send everyone (including this reviewer) seeking DANGEROUS NOTES, from what I have heard as good as or better than this great novel.

Harriet Klausner

After Sandra rescues the man whose car flipped over into into the river, she goes to the hospital to check on him. His identification and his employer, Stellar Research, all say he is Paul Anderson. He is convinced he is not Paul Anderson but he has amnesia. He seems to fear Sir Philip Lloyd, his boss at Stellar, who is sure he is Paul. "Not Anderson" can't remember socking the reporter who is accusing Stellar Research of misconduct. The plot twists and turns keeping you guessing the identity of "Not Anderson" and wondering about Stellar. Something suspicious is going on with Stellar's classified project.

Honor, honesty, and corporate ethics are all tested before "Not Anderson", Sandra, the reporter, and Sir Philip reach a a solution. The pace of the story is swift and the suspense builds as "Not Anderson" begins to remember details.

Gillian Bradshaw is a supurb historical fiction writer. Her fans will like this new venture into suspense. The ending leaves the reader wanting more.

A man pulled from a car wreck and revived through CPR awakens in hospital to find he cannot remember anything about himself - or much of anything . . . except for the fact that he violently resists the fact that he is the person identified by the hospital through the papers on him and in the wreckage of the car, and that he is terribly afraid of the company he supposedly worked for, and the people with whom he supposedly worked. He looks like the person they claim he is, he has the same identifying marks, he even shares the same fingerprints, but he is absolutely certain that he is not this person. The only one who believes him at first is the woman who rescued him.

Gillian Bradshaw brings these characters, especially the main character, to life in a way that I haven't seen in a long time - I was fascinated and unable to put this book down until I reached the ending. At first it read like a mystery/thriller, but as the book progresses, it very gradually (and, in my opinion, in a realistic manner) enters the realm of science fiction. The more technical elements are explained in a manner that I found easy to understand and added to the story.

This was a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who can get their hands on it. I hope that it will be re-released at some point, if enough people discover it.

The book grabbed me from the very beginning, usually a good sign. However it takes half the book before anything develops regarding the "true" identity of the main character and how it might be involved with the company he works for. Then it just gets very pedestrian, muddled, and contrived. An "alien" which is a form of pure energy just happens to contact a guy in Great Britain and wants to give him technology which he must agree to share. Wow. I've heard of suspending disbelief but this is a bit over the top. Seems like it ought to have been written by Arthur C. Clarke, and I really lost interest once not-Anderson is captured and held by Sir Philip, a sadistic jerk who I just wanted to have done with. Too bad that there's over 150 pages left at that point in the story...and what's left to happen? Somehow the situation with not-Anderson and the alien will be resolved as will his relationship with the woman who pulled him out of the car in the water. Is that worth 1/3 of a book? Jeez! At that point I just started skimming.
This is the 1st book I've read by this author, and I hope her historical fiction is better.

They are going to make a movie based on this book rest assured!
The book is addictive and will leave you in suspense. You will feel hurt when you are done reading it because you will wish it does not end.

This book could have easily received 5 stars but for the slight weakness of the science fiction elements and a few minor character issues. And that's only because I'm a huge science fiction fan and am holding her to my high science fiction standard. Judged any other way, this would probably get 5 stars from me.

The book is otherwise incredibly good, and I have to admit how amazed I am at how Bradshaw manages to stay consistent with her characters. The main character "not Anderson" is extremely well drawn through most of the book. She really delivers on him, and the tension resulting from his amnesia. The resolution of this is a tiny bit disappointing, though. I don't want to spoil it for people who will enjoy this book, but I ask her, couldn't she have developed the idea a little better and prepared us for it a little better? Perhaps it's just my expectations of her prior writings that stay so much in the realm of reality.

However, don't let me dissuade you from reading it! You'll probably enjoy it very much! In fact, I hope she continues to write this type of book. I love her historical fiction so much, I'd like to see more how she applies her great talents to science fiction.