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Twins: A Novel

Marcy Dermansky
4.4 / 5.0
Published: 2012

Description

Identical twins Chloe and Seth are inseparable, sharing a bond that transcends the ordinary and borders on the obsessive. Their world is a haze of teenage longing, stifling suburban expectations, and the magnetic pull of a shared identity that threatens to consume them both. As they navigate the messy, bittersweet transition into adulthood, their relationship becomes a complex tapestry of fierce loyalty and startling volatility. This is not a typical coming-of-age story. It is a sharp, literary exploration of the thin line between love and madness. When one twin begins to push against the boundaries of their mirrored existence, the fallout is as painful as it is transformative. Through prose that feels like an opiated dream, the narrative captures the internal friction of growing up and the struggle to define oneself when your reflection is also your closest companion. Fans of character-driven fiction will find themselves mesmerized by the raw, unapologetic vulnerability on display here. It is an honest, often uncomfortable look at the people we hold onto even when they are pulling us under. If you appreciate writing that lingers in your mind long after the final page, this haunting, darkly funny, and deeply human portrait of sisterhood is essential reading.

Customer Reviews

Top 3 from Amazon
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Wendy
January 25, 2011
Verified Purchase

One of the most engrossing books I've read in a long time

I bought Twins because I found myself mesmerized by Marcy's writing style in "Bad Marie" and wanted more. Surprisingly, I found Twins even more enjoyable than Bad Marie (which I didn't think was possible). As another reviewer said, it's un-put-down-able. I'm not a twin and I am far from a teen, but somehow I connected with this book. I think all women will be able to feel a connection to this story because we've all been through the turbulent, hormonal, unstable teen years but this is like magnified and doubled teen angst on crack. She makes you FEEL what they feel. And she gave me insight to conditions like bulimia and the identity crisis's that identical twins go through that I had never explored or known. It's been a long time since a book has touched me on such an emotional level...or made me cry. Actually, the last time that happened was with a book that is very dear to me, White Oleander, which happens to be another story of a troubled teen girl. And perhaps The Bell Jar. So that says a lot about this author. Her writing flows so effortlessly and draws you like a magnet in from the first page. You will start to CARE about Sue and Cloe. You will rejoice with them and how far they've come, in the end. And when you finally close the book you will feel emotionally drained; yet satisfied. Something most books strive to do but few actually achieve. HUGELY underrated. I can't wait until she puts out something new for me to read because I can assure you I will be the first in…
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Courtney
August 5, 2019
Verified Purchase

Couldn't Put It Down!!!

Harsh, dark, disturbing, and often bitterly funny, this is like Sweet Valley High inverted. Chloe and Sue are beautiful, blonde, suburban teenaged twins. The daughters of a high-powered, shallow, divorce lawyer couple. Chloe is sugar and spice and everything nice. Sue is a whole different story..... Great book. Couldn't put it down!
M
mwssquared
May 10, 2014
Verified Purchase

One of the reasons I read...

is to escape into the opiated, literary dream world of this kind of character development. As I get older, I find it increasingly more difficult to find solid literary fition that is both captivating and well written. Even then, often when I do find it, it feels repetitive, as though somewhere I've read something too similar. This was not the case at all with this novel. Such a relief to find a superior book! The twins’ relationship is out of this world. Their older brother's character, once you get to really "know" him, and the kids' unavailable, narcissist parents, will blow your mind away. Laughing until my stomach hurt and then feeling completely broken while reading, I was riveted throughout. Amazing descriptions of teenage angst and self-consciousness, insecurity, and the creepy graphic details surrounding anorexia and bulimia were all spot on and unique. This work is a rare, mirror structured bildungsroman that I certainly will not forget any time soon. My only criticism was that while so spot on, there were times when I had to suspend my disbelief a bit too much. Though the family is clearly over the top in the psychosis and narcissism, a few descriptions and character traits felt tacked on for shock value. The book is so wonderful though that I was able to let these few sections slide without issue.