My Real Children

"My Real Children" has a wonderfully interesting premise. The idea of someone realizing that they could remember having lived two completely different lives over the same period of time held real promise. In execution, the book just dragged on and on for me, reading as a sort of list of Patricia's deeds in her lives. It was interesting at first to read about the different lives Patricia lived, but it turned out to be just reading about two sort of boring, depressing family histories, and it easily grew stale by the half-way point. All the possibility and promise of the central idea of the book is entirely absent except at the beginning and the very end (literally just the first and last chapters). The two lives are told as discrete stories, with no indication that Patricia was ever aware of her other life, and even at the end of the book it is not clear when she began to have this realization. I honestly felt like I was stuck reading some boring Lifetime channel movie script at some points. I like a lot of the book and really, really wanted to love it but just couldn't. I got to where I didn't care what happened to the kids, mothers etc and just wanted to get into exploring the fascinating reality shift, but sadly, that is barely explored at all. I do like the novel's well developed characters, and the writing itself is quite good, but this one was a snoozer for me, personally.

Jo Walton’s My Real Children may be a science fiction novel about alternate universes — or simply a complicated fantasy in the addled mind of an old woman afflicted with advanced memory loss. Since Walton has written other science fiction novels, it’s probably safe to say that she intended this as sf. But it doesn’t read that way.The book opens in the present time inside the mind of an Englishwoman who was named Patricia, Patty, Patsy, Trish, or Tricia, depending on which of the two lives she was experiencing at the time and on the circumstances in which she found herself. Born in 1926, she believes she is now nearly 90 years of age. In her mind, history diverged onto two timelines when she was 23 and the man she had been dating proposed marriage.In one life — that is, in one life along the time-space continuum — she married the man and quickly came to regret it. Suffering under a disdainful and tyrannical husband, she gave birth to four children and now has numerous grandchildren. In the other life, she chose not to accept the man’s proposal. Free from a constricting marriage, she became a successful travel writer and eventually settled into a long-term partnership with another woman. Together with a male friend, they contrived to have three children. As Patricia, Patty, etc., lies near death, she has numerous grandchildren but has outlived one son and one grandson.If this sounds like a conventional novel, or, better yet, two conventional novels, you wouldn’t be mistaken. What centers it in the realm of science fiction is that in each of the two timelines the world does not develop along the lines in our history. In one, the world is plagued by a number of nuclear exchanges that have killed millions and doomed millions of others to death by cancer from radiation. In the other, first the Russians, then the Europeans, and finally the Americans expand into space, establishing colonies on the moon and Ganymede. Plans for the terraforming of Mars are underway.Walton’s speculation about two possible lines of historical development is interesting if highly improbable in some ways. For example, she suggests that JFK nuked Kiev in exchange for a Russian nuclear attack on Miami, then declined to run for reelection — and was succeeded in office by his brother, Robert. It’s hard to imagine that if one brother was disgraced in office that the other could be elected to it. Also, Ganymede, a moon of Jupiter, lies 390 million miles from Earth. Surely, given any likely technological development in spaceflight, it would take many years to travel that far. Establishing a colony there would be merely a fantasy for a very long time to come.)About the authorJo Walton writes fantasy, science fiction, and poetry. She has won several major awards in both sf and fantasy. Born in Wales, she has lived in Canada for many years. I loved her Small Change trilogy about areal n alternate history of Britain beginning with its defeat in World War II. My Real Children is not in the same class.

I'm giving this book three stars but it was hard to decide. I was really enjoying this book at first, it started out a four star book. The premise is interesting and I liked the way it seemed real and thoughtful, not fanciful or magical. The idea that one decision would so drastically change a person's life is easily relatable, fascinating, terrifying......I got a little uncomfortable when the book started feeling like a platform for gay rights. The author really turned a lovely story into a parade at one point. It's really interesting how gay rights have evolved and how different they were in the 50's and 60's and even drastically different in England, but it got a little preachy and unrealistic and truly took away from the story which started out really moving. I did try to look past this development and was able to enjoy the book (at this point it was a three star book for me though), then a twist that was truly brilliant and interesting went too far for me. The life that seemed like the happier and better choice truly became the tragic one. Like I said, it was a good plot twist until I just felt like this poor woman lived two really and truly horrible lives. I skimmed the last 30 pages just to get to the ending. The ending? I suppose it tied it up but I expected more. If I hadn't enjoyed the beginnning so much, I probably would have given the book two stars.

In the first chapter, Patricia is a senile old woman in a care home, struggling with Alzheimer's and her disappearing memories. But Patricia isn't like other people: we soon discover there is more to her confusion than memory loss. Those memories which she has contradict each other. It's not just memory loss, it's memory intersection - and she appears to remember two different lives: 'Trisha' and 'Pat'.After the (brilliant) first chapter, we follow Patricia's life (lives) in sequential order, from childhood, through to the decision after which her life went down two different paths, and all the way back to the care home. It is a journey through the twentieth century as it was, and as it might have been. Most of all, it is a saga of a life - no, two sagas, of two very different lives, in two very different worlds.Life sagas are not usually my thing. It's a genre that tends to drift towards the bittersweet and the tragicomic and hefty doses of melancholy and golden-sheened drama. Forrest Gump, the Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window, etc. etc. etc. ...... but this book isn't like that. Yes, it zooms through Patricia's lives, sometimes at montage speed and sometimes one key moment at a time... but the split into two lives in two different versions of the 20th century is an inspired idea: the slog of one life contrasts with the bliss of another; the relief in one is mirrored by struggles elsewhere. This removes it from the "picking yourself up again after some setback" formula we've all encountered before, because we are allowed to see lives that don't have fast ups and downs determined by artificially imposed story pacing. Instead, the lives in 'My Real Children' have long periods of struggle (or contentment). The ups and downs of story mood do not determine the ups and downs of plot events as artificially as they do in other sagas - when the pacing of the novel requires a mood change, we simply switch into a different reality. These lives are somehow more realistic and authentic because of that.Meanwhile, some fascinating stuff is going on in the background: world history and political developments don't quite match our own. It is quite rare to encounter alternative history that doesn't have a singular point of digression (what if X had turned out differently), but which winds and turns through the same century in sometimes familiar, sometimes surprisingly alternative ways. We know we're in different worlds because of the way the Kennedy Presidency ends - but it does not feel as if Kennedy is really the trigger for all the changes that come after.There are many things to love about this book: the ideas, the well-thought out treatment of Alzheimers and mortality in general, the elements of alternative history, the way a life-saga has been subverted into something rewarding, original and interesting... but perhaps the most compelling is the character of Patricia (and the people she loves): there is a fundamental, deeply embedded kindness to her, and a huge resilience. There are genuinely difficult periods (early Trisha chapters were painful to read), but even at her most oppressed, she has the ability to focus on the things she can do and the problems she can sort out. She is never given to depression, or to brooding with despair, even when her self confidence is badly damaged for a long period of time. Best of all, she never comes across as a 'Polyanna' - she feels like a real person who happens to be a good one. Kindness, resilience, open-mindedness and a sort of matter-of-fact approach to everything that happens - there is a kernel of positivity and something of the good egg about her. Unlike other life saga heroes, she isn't simple, but an intelligent woman, presented with different opportunities in her different lives. She makes the book very easy to love indeed. And she's not the only good egg in this novel.Unfortunately, the final chapter is... well, I found it disappointing and far too simple for the novel that precedes it. It ties things up and rounds them off and feels quite out-of-place and forced to me. Until that chapter, my suspension of disbelief was never in doubt, and then it fell apart.... but it's still an excellent novel. 4.5/5 stars, as far as I'm concerned.

I loved this book. I'm not sure how it compares to the author's other works as it's the first one I've read but this was a great, self contained 'what if' novel with a heart-breaking ending - although it does leave you very much to decide the probable outcome based on what you've learned of the MC.I can see this book no being for everyone as, although it's beautifully written, it is very much told - not surprising as it spans about 65 years twice over. There are moments when we're brought in close and these are always essential and wonderfully evoked. I found myself equally involved in each of the MCs possible lives rather than annoyed with one and desperate to read the other. Walton does creditable job of balancing both story lines and the plot hangs together well.One of the minor themes is that even a life that is not happy can be emotionally fulfilling with the right mindset - there are small moments of joy to be gathered everywhere if you know where to look. A much more major theme is how one choice may become a pivotal point and affect an entire life; following this with the way that all lives are interconnected and each person touches and shapes many other people's lives consciously and unconsciously in a cascade effect that means that a fairly trivial decision on a global scale may seem epic on a personal one - and may well have far reaching global consequences. 'No man is an island...'This isn't really sci-fi or fantasy, more slipstream or alternate history. The way the details were woven in was exquisite. Basically I sat down and devoured this in one go. Both lives are essentially ordinary if unconventional and full of personal drama but turned and contrasted this way there is nothing run-of-the-mill about them.This is one for people who enjoy quiet, deep thinks. I'll definitely be looking up some of Walton's other works.

I found the book a compelling read. It's well written, the characters are believable and you quickly get sucked in and empathise with them.My only concern is that I'm around the same age as Jo Walton, and I'm not sure how much this book would appeal to a younger generation. Both this and Walton's previous book, Among Others, have a slightly nostalgic air about them. I loved them, and my mother (who is 82) loved them, but my niece (who is 13) was profoundly uninterested. The book is about how people deal with life's rich tapestry, and I think people who have a lot of said tapestry to look back through will enjoy it more than those who are just starting out.

I really loved this wonderful twin time lines book. I was not sure to start and by the end was half an hour late to work so that I could finish it! The character of Patricia is so sympathetic in both time lines and makes you think hard about the role of women in a marriage. I highly recommend it.

Jo Walton manages to effortlessly weave together two compelling stories of women with believable, alternative futures with great style and skill.

Just get through the first few pages and the story, as with the characters, will carry you right to the end. This is not deep literature but it is an exceptionally well written good read.

I think each and every one of us are always trying to find a unique version of ourselves. Yet, this book shows us that we have to accept the different realities we are inmersed into. So, we don't have to choose which "reality" fits us best, we just have to accept it, live it, and embrace it.

This book is beautifully written, the writing flows effortlessly, and is simple, yet rich. The author tells a fascinating story, one anybody can relate to: what would have happened, had we not made that choice? Had we said yes, instead of no? Or viceversa?

Really enjoyed this book, nice flowing story. I could really imagine this happening, maybe because of being a nurse. Loved the main characters and the way the characters from both times intermingled. I have recommended to a few friends as well.

What begins as promising soon evolves into an drippy uninspiring tale. lots of polite dialogue, no reflection.Save your time and money on this one.

While this book is interesting, it doesn't hold me riveted where I can't wait to get back and read as much as I can. I haven't quite finished though so maybe it will get more exciting over the final chapters.

Patricia est en maison de retraite. Et malgré son diagnostic de sénilité, son problème n'est pas d'avoir oublié des choses, mais de s'en rappeler trop. Elle jurerait avoir mené deux vies différentes. Dans l'une, on la surnommait Trish. Elle était mariée avec Mark, un homme froid et désagréable qui la rabaissait constamment, refusait qu'elle travaille et lui avait fait quatre enfants - mais bien que malheureuse, elle vivait dans un monde de tolérance et de paix. Dans l'autre, on l'appelait Pat. Elle avait une relation merveilleuse avec une autre femme, trois enfants conçus à l'aide d'un ami qui avait bien voulu servir de géniteur, une belle maison de vacances à Florence et une carrière épanouissante d'auteur de guide de voyages, mais le monde avait été ravagé par une guerre nucléaire...Très motivée par cette idée de base prometteuse, je me suis jetée sur "My real children" dès sa sortie. Hélas, j'ai vite déchanté. Narrées en parallèle, les deux existences de Patricia se résument à une énumération d'événements, une chronologie sèche et dépourvue d'émotion. Je me rends bien compte que 300 pages, c'est court pour raconter deux vies entières, mais il m'aurait semblé plus judicieux de se focaliser sur des moments-charnière ou des anecdotes parlantes, comme le fait Kate Atkinson dans "Life after life" - autre uchronie personnelle nettement plus réussie. Jamais on ne sait pourquoi le monde de Pat est si différent de celui de Trish, même si l'héroïne envisage que ça puisse être dû à un effet papillon généré par le fait qu'elle accepte ou refuse la demande en mariage de Mark (un Anglais ordinaire nullement impliqué dans la politique internationale).Je me suis vaillamment mais fermement ennuyée jusqu'au dernier chapitre, que je ne peux que qualifier de grotesque dans sa façon de loucher vers "Le choix de Sophie". Pourquoi, arrivée à la fin de sa vie, Patricia se sent-elle tenue de choisir une de ses deux existences et de faire prévaloir un monde sur l'autre? C'est un mystère presque aussi épais que la façon dont laquelle une auteure capable d'écrire avec la sensibilité et le talent d'évocation dont elle fait preuve dans "Among others" a pu dans la foulée commettre un roman d'une platitude aussi abominable.

Although I liked the idea behind this story tracing the possible different lives a person might have following a harrowing phone call, I had not realised when buying this book that the author would in part be writing about a lesbian relationship. As a result being the age I am, I have found it difficult to continue reading it and I doubt if I will ever finish the book. I normally find reading a wonderful way to relax. I am afraid that I did not find this book at all enjoyable - although no doubt countless others may do. I regret the purchase......