Three Women in a Mirror

This the fifth book by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt that I have read. The Most Beautiful Book in the World is among the ten best works of fiction that I have read and Invisible Love is also terrific. I seldom fail to finish a book. Sadly, today I decided to pull the plug on this book after having read about 250 pages. I found the stories to all be too affected and not that well written. The books alternates chapters among three different story lines. I could deal with this. My major problem is that over the years I have read as much as I could of works by EES. He typically writes very well and usually tells a compelling tale. If you are looking for a compelling work of fiction, skip this book and instead order The Most Beautiful Book in the World by EES or Invisible Love. You will be most delighted. Buy this book if you are in the need of performing self inflicted penance.

Not his best novel, but a writer who should be read more in the english-speaking world. I recommend his books!

I would recommend this book to women. It echo 3 totally different eras and choices women in those eras made.Takes a little time to get into. Each chapter is about a different women.

Didn't care for this book at all. I read it for a book club or I wouldn't have finished it

I love Schmitt's humanity

it was no problems!

Keep up good job!

Phenomenal. Tightly and cleverly written, authentically in the voice and times of each woman (although technically, only one is done in first person). I almost didn't bother to begin it, and what a masterpiece I'd have missed. One review said it's not as good as his other books; I'm hungering to read them, then. My library doesn't have any of them.It was essential to the essence of the book that it be structured the way it is: First Anne in the middle ages, then Hanna at turn of the center, then Anny, an actress in modern times. Having done each sequentially would have rendered the premise, the message, the flow incomplete and inadequate and the book would have fallen flat. By the character of the writing, it's clear the author knew what he was doing when he set it up this way.I was nearly 3/4 the way through when I saw where it was going. To give a clue would be to provide a plot spoiler and while I do that on occasion, it would be a mistake to do it here. So if you are into some new age thought, favor the notion of synchronicity, contemplate a larger context and meaning of life within your daily existence, you'll dig this book. Which is not to say it's heavy or full of mysticism or theoretical ruminations by any means. I'm just saying that the on-its-face simplicity of the three tales yields up something much greater than the individual pieces. If you are into witty sort of stories about women or like things served up neatly on a plate, and especially if you prefer quick, surface level beach reads, this isn't for you.Anne is different from other people. Luminescent, serene, tranquil she intuitively and fundamentally understands levels deeper than others, although she doesn't really understand who she is or why she is that way. As she progresses in her discovery of self, the very elements of what is (no, I don't mean "what are") come into play and you'll find some heavy symbolism here, there if you want it, but not in your face and still easy to take the story at simply face value if that's what you prefer or only what you see. Her ending is shattering and fitting.Hanna, too, is on a journey of self discovery. At the time of Freud, looking for who she is, asking herself questions other women don't ask, and not content with what she "should" be content with. She forges her own path and finds her own answers.Anny, a heralded and highly-acclaimed movie star, is lost, and she too is on a journey to find herself, moving from duplicious, surface-level, answers to slowly, but surely, heeding the voice that tells her there's more.

A niche genre, but of its type, extraordinary. The book explores the lives of three women in different places and centuries, and brings their stories together toward the end. The heart of the book is these women's response to male expectation. It is deeply spiritual, but also a profound exploration of how women's lives are fashioned unwittingly by men, and what kind of responses are needed. You could call it "feminist spirituality", but it is much more than that. It doesn't argue or try to persuade. It simply presents both the stories and the spiritual depth that those stories reveal. But I am aware that not all people will respond well to this book, since it's not a simple story.

Very good , cleverly intertwnd stopień, Schmitt undertakng freuds analysis. I Share the same understanding of world, god, man and divinity.

Very gifted writer. Unusual style of presenting the three women's stories in parallel. I loved reading the book. Definitely recommend it.

Amazing book! Would recommended to any lady who is a fan of Mr Schmitt. Multi-layer story!

Such a great book. Could not put it down. A must read!