Book Summary
Rose and Ruby Darlen are craniopagus twins born joined at the head in 1974. Their young, unmarried mother abandoned them as quickly as possible, but the nurse in attendance at their birth stepped in quickly to adopt the conjoined twins. In her 50s, childless and married to a gentle immigrant, she quickly undertook the challenge.
My Review - 2 1/2 Not my Cup of Tea
I was very intrigued by this story and have had it on my Wishlist since I started blogging but didn't put who I took the recommendation from like I do now.
Lori Lansens is a lyrical author and I would try another story by her but this one was in one word, boring, I don't know why I continued on and kind of wish I hadn't to be honest.
The execution was very different, it was about Rose's journey on writing her autobiography and allowing her twin sister, Ruby, to include a few chapters from her point of view. It was hard at times to remember this was not a memoir but a novel, I may have appreciated it more if it were a memoir. So the flow was terrible, all over the place but I did enjoy the different voices of the sisters, they had very distinct voices. Ruby usually started her direct writing style parts with 'It's Ruby', cute. At one point Rose wrote this 'I can't go on writing about my past without sharing my present with you. Along with my fears. And my regrets. And my delight that you've cared to read this far.' She describes it as rare and imperfect, I will agree with that.
The characters were nice but to be honest not very interesting, I expected so much more. There were statements or paragraphs that pulled me right in then nothing.
Overall I thought it was amazing the way the twins were bought up. Obviously they were not 'normal' but I loved taking away that this is their life which is very normal to them and they just live. To be joined and still be completely different was informative and kind of a wow moment to me. Can you imagine your twin gets in trouble you are punished because they are or the twin gets to celebrate for doing so well in school and you get to join because that is their life but guess what they truly only feel what is meant for them, the good or the bad, amazing.
I did struggle reading this one and won't recommend it but would consider this authors other works especially if you like lyrical writing, she must also be a poet.
I will leave you with this quote, totally had me stop and consider........ She was asking me questions about how I see my life - life, Is my life a series of little dramas, stories within a story, or does it feel more continuous, like something long with a suspenseful plot?
I read The Wife's Tale by Lansens and loved it, so I was looking forward to this book. Sorry to see it didn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Wife's Tale so I will go to that first!
ReplyDeleteAw, what a bummer! :(
ReplyDeleteSorry it didn't work for you, I have a feeling I won't like it either... that's too bad as it has such an intriguing premise! I like the last quote you included though! And the cover is still pretty lol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really get into this either. I felt indifferent about it. Thanks for being honest.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review darling. Doesn't sound like I would dig it either.
ReplyDeleteSorry this one disappointed you. I have this one and The Wife's Tale but haven't read them yet.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's too bad. Another intriguing storyline with so much potential.
ReplyDeleteI have this book on my wishlist since a long time. I am sorry to hear that it disappointed you. The premise seems so intriguing;I expected more from this book.
ReplyDeletetoo bad it didn't work for you. but the subject matter and characters sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the honesty. It's hard to say negative things about books. And what may not be your cup of tea :) may be someone else's.
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