Book Review: A Stranger in the Mirror

A Stranger in the Mirror

Sidney Sheldon

A Stranger in the Mirror has been authored by Sidney Sheldon published by William Morrow. This book, unlike his other works, does not have a twist at the end. It is a plain story, although, told with the usual Sidney Sheldon flavor  Although there is not much of a suspense or thrill, you are still desperate to know what happens to the characters, how they are affected, what their next step is going to be and how everything is going to get tied up together in the end.

Toby Temple hailed from a humble background. He was the apple of his mother’s eye and she knew for a fact that he was going to be famous. She wasn't wrong. Toby Temple becomes a world renowned comedian. He has everything in life, money, power, wonderful contacts, and a different girl every night; what he lacks is happiness, he is lonely.

Josephine Czinski has a religious mother who holds the two of them responsible for Josephine’s father’s death. Her mother works for the Oil people and does not like Josephine mixing with their children. All Josephine wants is a lovely life like them. After a love affair with David Kenyon, one of the oil children goes downhill, she leaves the town for good. Where does she head? Hollywood, where she will be known as Jill Castle. The glamour, the promises and the lifestyle attracts her for good measure. After years of unsuccessfully trying to acquire acting jobs by the right ways, she goes for the way opted by others. Sleep with the concerned person, get an acting job and earn money. Her life takes a bad turn when she is drugged and forced to do a pornography movie. Her best kept secret.

Eventually, Toby and Jill meet. Thus begins their saga, their tumultuous life together. Toby is head over heels in love with her. Jill figures out that Toby is the only way she can get her revenge against all those big shot people in Hollywood who turned her down. What does eventually happen? Does she get her revenge? Does she remain with Toby? Does David enter the picture at all? Does Jill’s life turn out to be exactly as she had planned it? Will she ever be Josephine Czinski again?

Of course, you have to read the book to find out. I honestly loved the book. You will not be disappointed. Sidney Sheldon’s fast paced story narration makes the book “unputdownable”, if you will.

Rating: 4/5