Erica Bauermeister is a master at taking one thing that seems simple and straight forward and finding a way to create understanding from so many directions in such an eloquent way. I just love her writing and perspective.


One girl lives quietly until trauma and healing result in a book. This book is viewed through the impact it has, reverberating through a struggling first time mom, a heartthrob actor turned audiobook recorder, an artist, a homeless teen, the literary agent and others. The one book allows the reader to see each person, their struggles and how this one small book links them and their individual stories in the most understood ways.

#arc
#netgalley
#notwopersons

No Two Persons

Genre: Fiction

One sentence synopsis: This is a book about a book that brings people together

My thoughts: This is one of those sweet books that will give you all of the feels. I was impressed with how well it was written and how each story flowed. Essentially this book is a bunch of short stories about different lives and how one book brings them together. I very much enjoyed!

Read if you like poetic writing and feel good stories

From the publisher: 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.
**************************************

Premise: How one book (that we never really know everything about…) affects people differently. My favorite was Nola, the teenager. She needed help, she was afraid to ask. My heart hurt for her and then rejoiced for her. Kit was my next favorite reader. He learned about life and the importance of things without even finishing Theo! The stories intertwined in a way that snuck up on me. I appreciated that.

The book made me think and pay attention. As someone who loves to read I agree with the premise. How can I fall in love with a story or a character and my friend at book club hates the book?? What one takes from a book can be very personal, so really it doesn’t matter what Alice’s story was about or what Theo’s path was. Each reader took what they needed, heard what spoke to them, and learned what they could.

Overall 3.5 stars because I really wanted more from some of the characters. But I’m rounding up to 4 for creativity and detail. And, leaving something to the imagination can be interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance digital copy in return for my review.

First off I would like to thank NetGalley and St.Martins Press for sending me this early copy of No Two Persons! This book is out the first week of May and should be added to your tbr!

This story was so unique and I really enjoyed it!
It is a book about a book. And this book is read by 9 different people all in stages of life. They are dealing with pain, loss, hopelessness, etc. and they are all affected by this book in different ways.

It speaks to how powerful fiction can be and how we all get something different out of the same book.

ALL. THE. STARS!!!!
I cannot believe I found a novel with a writing style similar to an Ethan Joella drama, where you have so many characters with their own pages, yet beautiful, interconnected stories. You just keep reading to find out where it all fits together. This book is SO BEAUTIFUL, and had so many quotable moments that I will drop them here as my review, because my description won’t do it justice. Simply put, it is a story about a novel, with a humble beginning that delivers differently to everyone who reads it. I stretched this book out for so long (a month?) because I didn’t want it to end. (I should note that I loved her acknowledgments and description of research as well, as I wasn’t even considering this while reading.)

— “I think each story has its own life. In the beginning, it lives in the writer’s mind, and it grows and changes while it’s there. Changes the writer, too, I’d bet.” He smiled at her, and then continued. “At some point, it’s written down, and that’s the book readers hold in their hands. But the story isn’t done, because it goes on to live in the readers’ heads, in a way that’s particular to each of them. We’re all caretakers of the stories, Alice. Writers are just the lucky ones that get to know them first.”

— She couldn’t imagine Teddy in daycare, anyway. He was not an easy child. His idea of a nap was a semicolon at best, never a full stop; a paragraph break.

— “…books were like a giant neighborhood where every family was different, and every door was open. You can just go on in…Try on a new life. See how it fits.”

— “…novels were company that keep your secrets…there had to be another neighborhood. A different door [to try].

— “Books answered the questions she couldn’t ask people.”

—“He let each word roll about in his mind, each moment open up it’s own time… but that was the beauty of books, wasn’t it? They took you places you didn’t know you needed to go.”

— what others want in a book- “I guess I just like the idea of a possibility. Like an invitation, not an answer, you know? It gives you something to think about later.”

— “You didn’t come to a story; it came to you, a million little things that fell together like cells turning into a body. You just needed the image. The question. The door to set it free.”

Ugh… I Loved this book!!

<me now scrolling for this author’s past work>

No two persons ever read the same book, or saw the same picture.
~The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860

Before the book starts, the reader is faced with this quote. In my mind, it means that every person has a different view of a book or a painting.

This is a book about a book. It is about Alice who has always loved books and wanted to be a writer. After experiencing tragedy she finally found it within herself to write and publish a book called Theo.

The remainder of the book is about nine different people who read Theo. Each one of them comes to read the book under different circumstances. And of course, each person gets something different from the book. The book affects the characters in a meaningful way, but differently.

I enjoyed the different characters. They were from all walks of life. An actor escaping from society. A troubled teenage girl. A widower looking for a change of scenery. And more. Each character needed a boost in life. And, for different reasons, the book, Theo, gave each character what they needed.

The author demonstrates the power of books and the power of reading. Something I have always believed in. It is well written and well constructed.

The cover deserves a special mention. After finishing the book, the reader can recognize the characters depicted in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

This was a really unique book - it told 9 short stories about different people who all read the same book.
I enjoyed the first story about Alice, but then the book lost steam. It took me a long while to get through it and I wasn’t drawn to pick it up. In the end, I didn’t find any of the characters or their stories particularly memorable, although they were enjoyable enough in the moment. It also took me a bit to even recognize some of the characters’ names when they appeared in subsequent stories and I really had to think back about what storyline they came from.
The way all the characters were intertwined was really neat though, and it made for a very unique read. That was definitely my favorite part.
I think shorter stories are just not for me, because by the time I was coming to understand the new character in each chapter and getting invested in their story, the chapter ended. And then because I knew they would all be short stories, some of them I breezed through knowing it wouldn't affect my understanding of the ending too much.
Overall good but not great! I give it a thumbs up for being different though.


Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press!

What a perfect book! As readers, we know everyone relates to a book differently, but this novel takes that to a new level, creating a narrative for each reader and emphasizing their unique journey, This is a great purchase for any seasoned reader.

Oh my.
It's been awhile since I had all the feels from reading a book.
I absolutely loved this book.
Each and every character bring life to it with their
story. And reminds you how one book can touch so
Many people in different ways. Remarkable

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book

When writing a review or leaving a comment on a review, I’ve often voiced the sentiment that “no two people read the same book”, and/or “no book is for everyone”.

This book takes that sentiment and runs with it, highlighting the life of Alice, the author of the book Theo, along with 9 people who read her book.

This is a book of short stories, with each chapter highlighting a different character who is wounded and broken. The stories often end abruptly, which short stories tend to do. They were fine, but I prefer a bit more depth, humor, and/or tension than these stories provided.

For those of us who are readers, the power of the written word comes as no surprise. It’s not a unique idea that every reader takes away something different from each book they read. We each bring our own life experiences and perspectives to each book we read. So, I didn’t find anything new or fresh in developing this premise and there isn't enough character development among the nine to make me care.

I enjoyed the first story about Alice, the author of Theo, but then the book lost steam. It took me a long while to get through it and I wasn’t drawn to pick it up.

I didn’t love this book as much as many of my GR friends, which simply proves the point that no two people read the same book.

Heartfelt and well written. This book leaves the reader with a lot of questions much like the book within its pages, Theo. It works well that way, the ebbing and flowing. Never reaching the shore but always the promise of landfall.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a story about a book, “Theo” written by Alice Wein. It is also the story of the twenty-five-year-old author, Alice, who has poured her heart and soul into her debut novel. It is also the story of nine people who read her book – or rather, a collection of stories each of which features someone who has read “Theo” and the difference it has made in their lives - a literary agent and her assistant who is also a new mother, an actor turned audiobook narrator, a homeless teenager, a professional diver who tests his own boundaries, an artist seeking inspiration from the world around her, a bookseller who embarks on a personal relationship only to find it less than fulfilling, a coordinator who works in the movie business and a widower in his sixties grieving the recent loss of his wife - people from different walk of life, in different stages in life, facing his/her/their own set of challenges. While I wouldn’t call these stories interconnected in the true sense of the term, they are connected by a common thread – “Theo” by Alice Wein.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a special book. Beautifully written, intimate and thought-provoking with characters who are real and relatable, these stories made me think of some of the books that I have loved and the stories that have stayed with me through the years – books that came to me at the very right moment and left an indelible impact. Overall, this is an emotional read that I would not hesitate to recommend. I believe this book would appeal to those fond of character-driven short stories.

Like all books, this one will touch us in different ways. But I am confident that all of us who love to read would agree that books are much more than a hobby for us – they are our friends, our refuge, our sanctuary - they teach us, they make us cry, they make us smile, give us perspective and so much more. It is this sentiment that the author expresses so beautifully through this novel.

Many thanks to author Erica Bauermeister, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This book is due to be released on May 2, 2023.

Great concept for a book but didn’t end up liking it as much as I thought I would. Most of the short stories were enjoyable but some forgettable. I was hoping things would tie together a bit more in the end.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a beautifully written novel that explores the complex relationships between family members and the power of forgiveness. The story follows the lives of two sisters, Lily and Rose, who have been estranged for years due to a misunderstanding. When their mother passes away, they are forced to confront their past and work through their differences.
Bauermeister's writing is exquisite, with vivid descriptions that make the reader feel like they are a part of the story. She creates characters that are flawed but relatable, and the way she weaves their individual stories together is masterful. The novel also touches on the themes of identity, loss, and the importance of human connection.
The novel is an emotional rollercoaster, but it ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of hope and healing.
Overall, No Two Persons is a beautiful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after they finish it.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

As the story begins, a young woman("the writer") sets out to write a novel. In the subsequent chapters we meet different people from different walks of life that encounter the book over different time periods. They are the assistant, agent, actor, artist, teenager, diver, bookseller, caretaker, and coordinator.

It's a fairly straightforward storyline but I have an inkling that it's not going to be one of the books that stick out in my year end review. I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters in particular, but I did appreciate the insightful look at the book publishing world. Those were my favorite parts of the novel.

The title is inspired by the 19th century quote by Edmund Wilson No two persons ever read the same book.” Unlike many of my fellow reviewers, it didn't quite move emotional mountains or stir my reader's soul. It's just a nice book.



Expected Publication Date 02/05/23
Goodreads Review Published 28/03/23

THIS is why I love reading!! No Two Persons is a true gem of a read that should resonate with every book lover.

This novel consists of ten stories within the story. It's about how one book changes the lives of ten people. Its readers vary widely in ages, backgrounds, and current life situations, yet each is so moved by their take on the book that it changes their perspective and life.

Bauermeister excels at making her characters and settings come to life. Each character is so richly drawn and complex that I feel as if I know them. This is a wonderfully immersive read that kept me so captivated I finished the book in one day! Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK! I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from this author.

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Press for allowing me to access a DRC of the book via NetGalley. It is scheduled for publication on 5/2/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

The epigraph for this book is:
"No two persons read the same book, or saw the same picture."
The Writings of Madame Swetchine, 1860

This is a novel in stories, each focused on an individual who is tied in some way to others in the novel. And the individuals are bound together by having read (or written) the novel "Theo." (And, no, "Theo" does not really exist. Well, except inside "No Two Persons.")

"Theo" is the debut novel by a young author, and we gradually learn the basics of its plot as the characters read the book. But we understand the epigraph more fully as various characters, who are usually broken in some way, pick up the book.

If this seems confusing, it is not. Each story is wonderfully and individually crafted, yet each story reveals a part of the whole.

I was soooooo close to giving this 5 stars.

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister has the unique premise of being a book about the effects of a single book on ten different people. Alice is an aspiring author and when her life takes a tragic turn, she finds the drive to write a book simply called “Theo.” We see this book go through the hands of an agent, an actor, a diver, a teenager and so many more and see how one book can impact an individual’s life.

The irony is not lost to me that I read this book as an advanced copy from the publisher. This was a very meta reading experience and not one I will soon forget. While we don’t get to actually “read” the book Alice writes, we get snippets from the characters about the story in a way that is very effective. I think one of my favorite chapters in the book was that of Rowan, the actor. His thoughts of how reading a book is a lot like looking in a window and seeing what is going on but never actually being a part of it really resonated with me. There were just several parts of his chapter that stuck out to me.

While I really enjoyed this book, I can see exactly where the criticism will come from. I think a lot of people will find this book boring because of the story telling style. We dip in and out of people’s lives and only really see what they are doing around the time they are reading the book. So there is not a lot of time to really connect with the characters. I really liked this though because this book isn’t about the characters, it is more about seeing how a story can be bigger than words on a page.

This book is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves books and stories. This is not something I really would normally read but I’m so thankful I picked it up. Much like the characters in this book, this story came into my life at the perfect time.

Book lovers understand how a book can transport a person. Books can even change a life or a perspective. With people from different backgrounds and circumstances, a book might take on different meanings. The premise of this novel is how various readers are uniquely affected by one book. Here there are nine assorted readers who respond in their own personal way after reading a novel written by Alice. Alice's novel was her triumph. When she was a student, she had been told that she had great writing potential, but it wasn’t until she suffered a personal loss that she was able to compose the novel that would cause a literary stir and resulted in the book having a strong impact on the reading public.

Each story within Bauermeister’s book tells of a person managing their own challenges in their own way. The nine individual reader’s reactions to Alice’s book demonstrate the various ways the novel affected the readers. The readers are themselves quite diverse. There’s a diver who pushes his underwater endurance to the limit, a girl who helps a homeless guy, an artist who is searching for inspiration and a person overcome by grief. These are just a sample of the people whose lives are forever changed.

Bauermeister tells the fascinating stories of the readers and each tale could be a novel in its own right. One gets immersed in the individual tales and enjoys the reader’s world so much that one might wish there was more to find out. The premise is brilliant and the individual stories share the one book as a common thread. The concept is creative and the brief narratives offer glimpses into lives that we come to care about. The gorgeous cover may draw the attention of book lovers while the stories will confirm what they already understand about the impact of literature.

I really loved the beginning of this book. It was well written and addictive I wanted to know how the novel written in it will be received and found the idea of looking how it impacted differently 10 people was a very good idea. However, once we were in the part of how the book was received it was written more mysteriously and after a few it became boring for me. I wonder if it was made on purpose because of the theme of the book written in it ? Maybe.