Review: The Impossible Lives of Greta Wells
Gaby Meares
I loved “Less”, so when I spied this earlier novel by Greer, I grabbed it. It started with such promise: The impossible happens once to each of us. We meet Greta Wells in 1985. She’s trying to deal with a whole load of grief and failing miserably. So she accepts a radical treatment for her depression - ECT. When she wakes from her first session it’s 1918. Voila!
I’m usually very good at suspending disbelief to allow a good story its wings - but this wasn’t a good story. I found the characters shallow and unbelievable, and I found Greta unsympathetic. I was annoyed by the constant time changes, and it seemed the basic question was “Oh dear, which life will I choose?” I didn’t really care, I’m afraid. It was just plain silly. Very disappointed.