No Two Persons: A Novel
No Two Persons: A Novel book cover

No Two Persons: A Novel

Hardcover – May 2, 2023

Price
$20.99
Format
Hardcover
Pages
320
Publisher
St. Martin's Press
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250284372
Dimensions
5.8 x 1 x 8.55 inches
Weight
13.9 ounces

Description

"I loved this delightful gem of a novel: a deeply satisfying, unique reading experience. If you’re passionate about reading I know you’ll be passionate about this book."―Liane Moriarty, New York Times bestselling author"In her lyrical, haunting new novel, No Two Persons , Erica Bauermeister shares the unexpected, exquisite ways in which one special book transforms its readers' lives. As the novel-within-the-novel passes through the hands of a vast array of people―ranging from an actor to a swimmer to a homeless student, among others―it acts as a guide for the lost, serving in different manners for different readers. A wondrous ode to the power of fiction, No Two Persons will linger with its readers in much the same way its fictional novel remained with its characters."―Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author"Rendered in precise and distilled prose, No Two Persons beautifully explores the connections that save us, the traumas that shape us, and the power of words and story to heal us. With spot-on descriptions and a keen understanding of human vulnerability, Erica Bauermeister has written a book filled with power and grace that will utterly transform its reader. A large-hearted, wise, and magnificent novel." ― Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop and Together Tea “What a joy to see the separate parts of No Two Person leap across time to build its terrific story. When the tragic life of a writer’s brother fires the novel she’s always wanted to write, its path in the world is beyond what we could guess. I loved the power this plot gives to reading itself, that dear and vital realm of our experience.” ―Joan Silber, award-winning author of Secrets of Happiness “Unforgettable. No Two Persons is a beautiful and haunting love letter to the redemptive power of stories and the impressive mark it leaves on readers. Bauermeister is a powerful storyteller who weaves a brilliant narrative, while painting portraits of compelling characters." ―Kim Michele Richardson, New York Times bestselling author of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek "I am madly in love with this book. Erica Bauermeister has written a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives. Each story in this cycle stands alone, and at the same time carries the arc--not only through the novel that's its central character, but a cast of recurring players who connect in the most unexpected and satisfying ways. With its beautiful parts that add up to a brilliant whole, No Two Persons made my reader's heart sing." ―Nina de Gramont, New York Times bestselling author of The Christie Affair "The greatest compliment a writer can pay another is to say, 'I wish I'd written that.' Well, I wish I'd written No Two Persons. I couldn't put it down. Evocative. Brilliant. Complex. Immensely satisfying. Storytelling at its best. This is one I'll be recommending to all and sundry for a long time." ―Alka Joshi, author of The Henna Artist and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur "Wondrous and moving . . . a love letter to every writer, reader and human who has ever opened their heart to the transformative power of story."―JoAnne Tomkins, author of What Comes After "This is a novel of almost unbearable truth and beauty and depth. Plot, character, prose--the perfect book." ― Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches "As perfect a depiction of the power of story as one could ever find, or need." ―Natalie Jenner, bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Bloomsbury Girls "Gorgeous, nuanced, and intimate, No Two Persons will stay with you well after the last page is turned." ―Anna Quinn, author of The Night Child "A very tender, very true book about the power of stories. Why we write them, why we need them to survive. Bauermeister creates a kaleidoscope of beautiful, unexpected ways of seeing the world."―Yara Zgheib, author of No Land to Light On "In this beautifully written and inventive novel, Erica Bauermeister creates stories within a story, tying them together with gossamer thread. I was sad when I came to the end of this captivating and engrossing novel." ―Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House on the Street Erica Bauermeister is the author of the bestselling novel The School of Essential Ingredients, Joy for Beginners, and The Lost Art of Mixing. She is also the co-author of non-fiction works, 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. She has a PhD in literature from the University of Washington, and has taught there and at Antioch University. She is a founding member of the Seattle7Writers and currently lives in Port Townsend, Washington.

Features & Highlights

  • One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives.
  • New York Times
  • bestselling author Erica Bauermeister’s
  • No Two Persons
  • is “a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives.”*
  • That was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go…
  • Alice has always wanted to be a writer. Her talent is innate, but her stories remain safe and detached, until a devastating event breaks her heart open, and she creates a stunning debut novel. Her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.Together, their stories reveal how books can affect us in the most beautiful and unexpected of ways―and how we are all more closely connected to one another than we might think.
  • “With its beautiful parts that add up to a brilliant whole,
  • No Two Persons
  • made my reader’s heart sing.”―*Nina de Gramont,
  • New York Times
  • bestselling author of
  • The Christie Affair

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(231)
★★★★
25%
(193)
★★★
15%
(116)
★★
7%
(54)
23%
(176)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Gorgeous writing

This book is about how one book changes different people. Just like the story, It happened to me too. It taught me how I should appreciate words. yes there’s story, there are character development, but the most stunning beauty I found in this book is the musicality in words. Beautifully effortlessly flowing words.. what a gorgeous creation, my favorite read in decades.
3 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Don’t have expectations and enjoy the ride.

This review contain SPOILERS:

This book wasn’t what I thought it would be, but was better than my expectation.
I have no idea about the author’s intentions, but the ironic (and maybe satirical?) undertone that a story about “writing a book” was narrated by breaking the so-called contemporary “writing rules” (looking at you, show-don’t-tell) was NOT lost on me. And that was one of my favorite things about this book. Debit authors everywhere can only dream, am I right?
Sure, there’s no space and time for the reader to connect with the characters in a more emotional level, but I still felt something. Sometimes I didn’t even understand what in the world was happening (Juliet’s story was a bit on the creepy side, and Miranda’s ripping the book apart made me cringe), but the metaphorical door is left open for readers to fill in the blanks: what really happened in Tyler’s past? Did William make back home? Did Nola get in trouble for not calling 911 when Madeline collapsed?
Not everything was perfect, obviously. For one, it was hard to suspend disbelief when it came to how the book Theo so deeply affected the cast of characters. Maybe I’ve grown cold and cynical toward the publishing companies. Maybe I haven’t read a book that changed me in the same way. Maybe it’s just me.

I also enjoyed learning about the author’s own process and the history behind the epigraph: “Not two persons ever read the same book.” And that’s the truth!
I recommend it.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Don’t have expectations and enjoy the ride.

This review contain SPOILERS:

This book wasn’t what I thought it would be, but was better than my expectation.
I have no idea about the author’s intentions, but the ironic (and maybe satirical?) undertone that a story about “writing a book” was narrated by breaking the so-called contemporary “writing rules” (looking at you, show-don’t-tell) was NOT lost on me. And that was one of my favorite things about this book. Debit authors everywhere can only dream, am I right?
Sure, there’s no space and time for the reader to connect with the characters in a more emotional level, but I still felt something. Sometimes I didn’t even understand what in the world was happening (Juliet’s story was a bit on the creepy side, and Miranda’s ripping the book apart made me cringe), but the metaphorical door is left open for readers to fill in the blanks: what really happened in Tyler’s past? Did William make back home? Did Nola get in trouble for not calling 911 when Madeline collapsed?
Not everything was perfect, obviously. For one, it was hard to suspend disbelief when it came to how the book Theo so deeply affected the cast of characters. Maybe I’ve grown cold and cynical toward the publishing companies. Maybe I haven’t read a book that changed me in the same way. Maybe it’s just me.

I also enjoyed learning about the author’s own process and the history behind the epigraph: “Not two persons ever read the same book.” And that’s the truth!
I recommend it.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Will be one of my top reads of 2023

This book is based on a quote whose main idea is that no two persons ever read the same book. Well, I definitely want someone else to read this book, because I am dying to discuss it.
This book centers around a novel called Theo. Each chapter features a different character and how the book affects them—and oh boy, each character is so vastly different that it almost felt like a collection of short stories.
I loved the experience of reading this beautifully written book. I can’t wait to own a copy so that I can highlight my favorite sentences. It just perfectly sums up the experience of why I read.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced copy.
1 people found this helpful
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Great for book clubs or solo

I’m still letting all the stories within this book settle in to the nooks and crannies of my soul. Love the serendipitous aspects! The themes and threads. The connections. Highly recommend this one!!
✓ Verified Purchase

Interesting writing style

I liked this book, but didn't love it. It had a unique writing style that was interesting. There were some boring parts for me and I skimmed some pages.
✓ Verified Purchase

Great book about one book can change people's lives

No Two Persons is a story about how one book can change someone’s life. It follows the lives of Alice, the author, and nine people who read her book, Theo. It details how Theo changed or helped change each person’s life (for better or worse). An emotional read, No Two Persons will get under your skin and make you wonder: How many lives will this book affect?

The plotline for No Two Persons initially follows Alice, the author of Theo. It explains her background (distant parents, death of an older brother from an overdose) and how she wanted to write but felt she couldn’t. It wasn’t until college, and an observant professor, that Alice finally throws off her parents’ expectations and writes Theo. After that, the plotline goes from prepublication (when Alice was searching for a publisher) to her ARC reader to her readers and then back in a circle to the publisher.

I won’t lie and say I wasn’t affected by this book because I was. I found a connection with every single character. The ones that stood out to me the most were the new mother (who worked for the publisher), the free driver, and the homeless teenager. I could see a bit of myself in each of those characters.

I liked that the book did interconnect the stories. I didn’t realize, at first, that they were interconnected until almost the end of the book. Then I briefly reread, and a lightbulb went over my head. This book also went full circle. It started and ended with Alice.

I would recommend No Two Persons to anyone over 21. There is language, mild violence, and sexual situations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Erica Bauermeister for allowing me to read and review No Two Persons. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
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No Two Persons

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This book is clever, thought provoking, and just simply lovely...

It reads almost like a book of short stories. Every chapter bringing us a new character who somehow crosses paths with the book "Theo" and how their lives are then changed by the words across its pages. The years go by highlighting each individual story, and by the ending you have come full circle in the most perfect way.

I cannot be the only one secretly wishing (begging!) the author to actually write "Theo!"

5 stars
✓ Verified Purchase

Can’t get enough of Erica Bauermeister!

Thank you to St, Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Erica Bauermeister is a wonderful writer who has again written such a beautiful story about how one book touched so many people’s lives. It started with the origins of how it became a story in the first place from the perspective of the author who wrote the book, ending with the life of the literary agent who published it.

I loved reading about the perspective of each individual who read the story and the impact this book made on their lives.
✓ Verified Purchase

Heartfelt, heartbreaking, and a book that will resonate with all

“𝓝𝓸 𝓽𝔀𝓸 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓼 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴, 𝓸𝓻 𝓼𝓪𝔀 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮.”

✂️ P L O T L I N E
One book, one writer, nine readers, ten changed lives. “No Two Persons” is a beautiful story about how one single book can save your life and change your perspective on your path forward. Each chapter follows a different characters journey in finding the book “Theo,” and reveals how this one book changed each of their outlooks on life. Heartfelt, heartbreaking, and a book that will resonate with all.

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I highlighted the crap out of this book (on my IPad 😅). There were so many amazing quotes that hit so close to home. It was so hard to pick my favorite one! There were a couple characters that I connected with so deeply. I think that’s what makes this book a blessing, and a curse…because each chapter follows only one certain character, I felt like I wanted so much more from some of the storylines. Regardless of what I wanted, I understand that was not the purpose of this book and I appreciate that so much. Just like the book mentions, “life doesn’t get tied up with a bow very often.” Pick this book up when you feel like your life might falling into pieces and you don’t know what to do. I think this story will provide you with relief in knowing that there is possibility in whatever lies ahead 💕. Make sure you have your tissues ready.

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
💫Thought provoking reads
💫Emotional reads
💫Multiple character POV
💫Intertwined characters
💫Books about books

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: death, overdose, childhood trauma, sadness ⚠️

📖𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: “𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈 𝓈𝓅𝑜𝓀𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒻𝒾𝒸 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃𝓈, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈.”

🙏Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Erica Bauermeister for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts 💕