The Klone and I (Mass Market Paperback)

by Danielle Steel (Author) "My first, and thus far only, marriage ended exactly two days before Thanksgiving..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Peter Baker, San Francisco (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Evidently, Danielle Steel has been kidnapped by a mad scientist who clamped her into some gizmo that fused her brain with that of Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. While Steel's umpteenth novel, The Klone and I: A High-Tech Love Story, boasts her typical trappings--a divorced heroine, a cruel man, a sexy man with big money, and lots of shopping with brand-name tags conspicuously attached--the book is also the wackiest bit of self-indulgent sci-fi since Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic.

The Klone and I starts out normally enough: after a 13-year marriage, Stephanie, 41, gets dumped for a busty young bimbo. "She was gorgeous. And I felt nauseous," Stephanie reflects--though she admits that things hadn't been going well, what with hubby living off her trust fund and their having sex every six months or so. Realistically, their farewell hug goes like this: "My nose ran on his tie, while ever so cautiously he held me, kind of like a bank robber with sticks of dynamite taped all over his body."

Then, one day, on an impulsive trip to the Left Bank of Paris, Steph steps into one of those cool old French elevators with Peter, a hunk in a button-down Oxford shirt and tasteful khakis. Romance! Ritzy places! In fact, he takes her to the Ritz! Alas, Peter must Louvre her and leave her for a business trip out West.

So Peter sends Paul to keep her company. Paul is a dead ringer for Peter, because he's a kind of clone created by Peter and his clever biotech company. He's called a "klone" to distinguish him from a conventional clone, which is a mere replica of its original--this "klone" may be a physical copy of Peter, but inside he's had a major id upgrade. As always with Steel, the clue is in the character's clothes: from his high-heel gator boots to his zippered zebra jumpsuit, the decidedly non-buttoned-down Paul dresses like a psychedelic kaleidoscope. But when Paul drops that leopard-satin G-string, watch out! It's quadruple flips in flagrante delicto, with our heroine (and, the next morning, her chiropractor) coming out on top. Though Paul deplorably guzzles Chateau d'Yquem by the case and crashes Peter's Jaguar into snow banks, he's actually even more brilliantly empathic with Stephanie's kids than stuffy Peter is.

What's a mother to do? Is Steph robbing Peter to play with Paul? How will the ménage à trois affect marriage plans? Does Steel know that her comic tone (though not her subject) actually slightly echoes that of Betty MacDonald's classic comedy memoir The Egg and I, whose title she alludes to? Is the author a convert from fiction to sci-fi, like Doris Lessing? Will the real Ms. Steel ever reappear, or has her mind been psychedelicized? --Tim Appelo --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
The subtitle, "A High Tech Love Story," need not frighten Steel's loyal fans. More fanciful than technologically snappy, this novel (her 42nd, after The Long Road Home) grafts one scientific wrinkle onto the usual romance. Stunned when her feckless husband declares that their companionable but passionless marriage is over (then sues her for alimony and child support), 41-year-old Stephanie spends the next year improving both her body and her self-respect. During a trip to Paris, she attracts a suitor; Peter Baker is a fellow New Yorker?and everything Stephanie's been hoping for. After a chaste but exhilarating evening together, Stephanie is sure that she'll never see him again, but he tracks her down in the Hamptons and they fall in love. An executive at a company specializing in bionics, Peter has been working on a secret invention. When he travels to California on business, his creation, Paul Klone, turns up at Stephanie's door. Paul is a physical replica of Peter, but the resemblance ends there. Whereas Peter favors Oxford shirts and khakis, Paul is a fan of Versace's most outlandish creations. Although she has been pleased with Peter's lovemaking, Paul's triple back flips during sex leave Stephanie singing the body electric. When Peter becomes jealous of Paul, things get sticky. Although the SF element is minimal (approximately one part Ray Bradbury to 35 parts Steel), Steel's speculative whimsy spices her romantic concoction to produce a light but charming read.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dell (July 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440225698
• ISBN-13: 978-0440225690
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (294 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #705,581 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT!, October 9, 2004

By	Autumn Vaughn "AV" (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Klone and I (Hardcover)

I read this book years ago when I randomly picked it up in a library and have never forgotten it. It was completely brilliant, totally off the wall. There was just something about it that I loved. I have never read any other Steel books, and from what i understand this was not her usual line of story. But it was such a great read. It must have been to have stuck out in my mind for about 5 years. I reacommend it to anyone who it open to an author not going by their steroetype!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Danielle Steel didn't write this, Her insane Klone did..., September 22, 2006

By	Jennifer Polizos (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Klone and I (Hardcover)

Has Danieele Steel been abducted by aliens or has she been "Kloned" and this insane Klone wrote this book. I actually thought about not finishing this book but I thought there might be a logical ending...Beyond disappointing. Her characters have no substance, I don't want to meet the person who could relate to these whimpy weirdos. This might be the worst book I've ever read.
I just read this book, quite quickly in one afternoon. I think I've pretty much purchased and read every Danielle Steel book she's ever written as they used to be entertaining quick reads. I understand she has become an empire but must she also be a book writing factory. There is never much suprise as to how a DS book will end, the pleasure in reading them comes from the twist and turns, historical and geographical research she puts into her books. This book reads more like a short story as many of her other recent books. Definately not worth the hardcover price, the paperback price or even the used price. Time to slow down and put out some quality work instead of quantity.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Klone and I, August 20, 2002

By	"tesstrueheart" (Merritt Island FL.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Klone and I (Danielle Steel) (Audio Cassette)

I had to see what others thought,that's why I signed on here... This has the be one of the worst books I have read in years... Do hope that there isn't anything seriously wrong with Daniele Steel. I once was a fan of hers and read most of her novels until I found myself bored with the plots and the words became repetitious.... I always laughed when I came across the much used word CHARGRIN... think that's when I switched to other writers for my pleasure... back to this one... I am shocked that it was ever published... if I wasn't laid up with a sprained ankle I am sure I never would have continued to the end of the story, it was that bad...The only saving grace was that I bought the book at a garage sale.. for .50... way, way, overpriced though... my daughter just informed me she is starting a book by Danille Steele... "The Cottage", for her sake I do hope that it is of some value.... as for me, doubt, I would ever try another of her books.