Well, some stories grab remarks from the reader like – “filled with suspense” or, “grinded with twist and turns”. For this part, to say the least, ‘A stranger in the Mirror’ exercises a homogeneity of contorting with the emotions of reader as well as series of advents asserted with spellbound drama.
This book of Sidney Sheldon revolves around the life of two characters, namely Toby Temple ( high class comedian ) and Jill Castle. It is a blend of different experiences on the same track – journey of Toby rising up the ladder of fame and Jill’s struggles to enter the universe of glamour. Apart from Toby, the book deals with the failures of Jill, who traverses a lone journey of utmost turbulence. She begins harbouring hatred for everyone for making her sell her soul, to gain limelight and stardom.
Belonging to two different generations, both of them meet in Hollywood and get married after their individual tragedies with love and career life. Though Jill is portrayed as a shrewd lady who has been successful to tame the fame of Toby, the book emphasises on the adversities and misfortunes she has had to face while on her way to the industry.
The title ‘A stranger in the Mirror’ is impeccably apt for the book and the reader would understand this near the end – Josephine, who lost herself in the showbizz, finds her own countenance to be stranger to her soul.
Sidney Sheldon, a Guinness world records holder for the most translated author has truly shown almost all emotions of the characters involved in the book – desperation, rage, amusement, frustration, submission, etc. Though the novel is little slow paced, the handling of characters has been great and makes the reader actually feel like watching a movie in front of his eyes. However, a little discretion is advised as some disgusting scenes are described in the book (that could have been laconic), only to shriek out the ugliest side of movie industry.
SARJANA 