The only reason I actually finished this book was because it was for book club. It was just all shades of terrible. When the question, "Was there anything you liked about this book?" came up in our book club, nobody could come up with a single thing they liked.

This was especially a huge disappointment because I loved Sarah's Key. I don't even understand how this is the same author. There was no real story. There were no particularly likable characters, and most of the characters were decidedly unlikable. The main character himself was horrible.

The story is about a 20-something man who wrote a book about a middle-aged woman, and everyone is SO impressed by how well he can write it beautifully from the woman's point of view. It seems like De Rosnay wanted to prove how well SHE could write this book from the point of view of a young man. To do so, she apparently believed that she had to have sex be featured often and obnoxiously. Literally every single woman Nicolas (the main character) meets or even sees, he thinks about having sex with her, and his thoughts are graphically laid out. He carries on a whole sexting relationship with a stranger, and the texts are described in detail. There's a whole scene where he tries to take a picture of his genitals. There's a very vivid description of him getting a blow job. None of this is what I wanted to read about.

In addition, although there's not really a story, there is a mystery about what happened to his father, what his father did for a living, what was the back story with his grandmother, etc., and none of those questions are ever actually answered. It's just a rambling foray into the mind of a vain, self-absorbed, lecherous writer who has had some success and is now flailing.

So yeah. I do not recommend.

Not impressed!!! Where did all the characters come from? I didn't read it all as it was just to boring. Feb 2017

This novel has a very European flair which I am not familiar with. It was difficult to keep track of some of the strange names and who they were. I did enjoy the basic premise though of showing us readers just how difficult it can be for an author to wring out another story. We as readers grumble that the new book isn't as good as the last one, but are quite selfish in failing to understand what it takes. I will order in more books by this author, I liked her style.

Disappointed. I expected a better story line. I had to force myself to try and finish this book. Agree with previous review--a very slow read. This is not a page turner by any means. Sarah's Key was superb; this doesn't compare.

Three years previously, Nicolas Duhamel’s first novel was published – to great acclaim and fame. The book was loosely based on his own experience of learning that was father was adopted. Since the book’s publication Nicolas has toured the world, basking in attention and becoming, self-obsessed. He has received a staggering advance for his second novel, which he is unable to write. The story takes place over a three day period while Nicolas and his latest GF are vacationing in the uber-exclusive Italian island resort – Gallo Nero.
Nicolas alternates between wanting to be recognized and wanting to be unburdened by fame. It is revealed that he has alienated long-time friends, neglected his widowed mother, and has used modern technology to make some unwise decisions. The authour has tied the climax of the book to a famous marine disaster. I am a bit ambivalent about the ending.

Very slow read. I did not enjoy this book. It focus too much on the main character downfall-depression of not writing his 2nd book on time.

I enjoyed reading The House I Loved and Sarah's Key by this author, but really wouldn't recommend this one. The characters weren't likable or even understandable and the story seemed forced and quickly constructed. Try one of her other ones.

this was a pretty good read, but not great. I don't think she can ever live up to Sarah's Key, which was one of my fave books of all time, excellent, engrossing story, and the movie was good also.

Since I loved 'Sarah's Key' I was looking forward to 'The Other Story'. After finishing this novel, I must admit I am terribly disappointed. The characters are shallow and unlikeable, the back story is slow and boring. The main character's obsession with cyber sex is annoying. Only the last two chapters show any compassion from the selfish characters. I cannot recommend this novel.

This sounded promising. Unfortunately, an extremely unlikeable protagonist and a very contrived ending kept me from enjoying the book. Not even the beautiful setting and the promise of some interesting family secrets could save this one for me. If you’re going to read a book by this author, try “Sarah’s Key”.