The Opposite of Everyone: A Novel

Before reading this, I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the twist in Joshilyn Jackson’s “change” from her usual fare to this seemingly different story. I put off reading it for most of this year. I’ve been trying to find time to catch up and finally read some of these actual books lying around, and I’m so glad I did in this case. The story alternates timeframes, from Kali Jai’s days of childhood, to her years as a Divorce Attorney who goes by Paula Vauss. Her grandmother claimed she misheard the name Kali Jai’s mother gave her as they dragged her back to juvie lock-up, thus her birth certificate bears the name of Paula Jane Vauss. Mother, Kai, serves her time, and the two are reunited, and their bond grows over time. There is a time when Kali is closely bonded with her mother. “Odd to think of myself that way, small and blind and tethered to her. In that time before memory, everything I touched was hers. I heard her voice from the inside, with no idea that she was a separate person. Back then, she had simply been the world.” Things change, people change, and the two girls bouncing around the country, following boyfriend after boyfriend of Mama Kai (whose birth certificate bears the name of Karen Vauss.) A little like the cartoons and songs of old, just follow the bouncing ball, or, in this case, boyfriend. “Boyfriend love is the light on a bug’s back end, flicking on and off across a lawn. It begins with lies and kissing. It devolves into fighting and boredom. It ends with hasty packing and sometimes robbery. It is easily replaced by fresher love.” What I loved about this story was how wrong I was about the story not sounding like a Joshilyn Jackson story. It is still completely her, albeit JJ with a dash of spices. There’s an edgier spin, perhaps, but there’s that signature voice that is still within hearing. What I loved about this story was the blending of the Hindu stories within, the tales upon tales. What I loved about this story was how easily the transitions were between times, how her characters, as ruthless, as broken and dysfunctional as some were, are still worthy of love, and that there is a healing, of sorts. It’s not a Disney healing, and everyone doesn’t get a trophy for participating but healing does occur.

As soon as I saw the author of this book I requested it. I didn't even care what it was about. That's how much I loved her book "Somebody Else's Love Story". So, I had no idea what I was in for when I sat down to read it, because I didn't even read the blurb. What a totally different book this one was. And I don't mean that in a bad way. Her first book was one of those that just stayed with you and had you wondering just whose love story was it anyway. This one had you wondering why Kali's mother had to go through a journey before (oops all I can say without a spoiler). Both books left you reflecting and thinking and stayed with you long after I had read them. I would do the same with the next Joshilyn Jackson book. She could write the dictionary and I would read it. Her stories are so good and her characters are so well developed that you really feel like you know them or really want to know them personally. This was a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I'd like to thank Harper Collins/William Morrow for pulling my name out of a hat and allowing me to win this fantastic book. I literally jumped for joy when I got it in the mail as my request was denied on Net Galley. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

"The Opposite of Everyone" by Joshilyn Jackson was a refreshing read for me. I enjoyed the mixture of Hindu Mythology with broken, but colorful reality. It has clever story weaving. Paula Vauss spent her life travelling through the south with her mom, always re-inventing themselves into a new person. They never stayed in one place long enough to actually call it a home. Surprisingly, Kai, Paula's mother finds a place she just may like settling down in. Unhappy with that life, Paula cannot accept that it will be the end to their ever changing and evolving story. She will be forced to live a life that is harrowing for her. It is not at all like the usual story that her mom tells her. Paula makes a choice that changes her life in more ways than she could have ever imagined. I couldn't stop reading. It kept me intrigued from beginning to the end. Jackson made this story so personal that I could feel the emotions coming from these characters. I could smell and taste Kai's famous pancakes, and find myself getting pulled into one of her stories of Kali and Ganesha.

Paula's teenage mother gave birth to her while she was serving time in a juvenile detention center. Upon her mother's release, they lived a hippie/ gypsy lifestyle, moving a at least one a year and reinventing themselves with each move. Fifteen years later, Paula, successful attorney and estranged from her mother, learns her mother has passed away. In addition to this, she finds her entire life had been turned upside down. I really loved some parts of this book but found some parts hard to find believable. I don't want to give too much away by naming those parts; they would be spoilers. Aside from a little credibility, I think if a reader can get past a few things being a bit too coincidental and pasts a couple descriptive bedroom scenes, it's a good book and worth reading.

Only disappointment is if there is a next instalment - it's not ready yet! I liked the link to the previous book - picking up the story of Paula and running with it for this book. A trilogy perhaps though I'm not sure if there is another story I am dying to know... Candace's - not sure - glad things turned out the way they did - but more of her...? Joshilyn Jackson is one of my favourite writers so whether another thread is picked up and spun for the next book doesn't matter. I am pretty certain I will be entranced by it.

Loved it