The Girls

While early on in the reading I did wonder what the main character (and "author") could possibly talk about for so many more pages, I wound up loving this book. I loved Lansens' use of language and metaphor--I loved her voice, or, rather, the voice she gave to "the girls." I cared about the characters, rooted for them, felt for them. I was stung and sideswiped--numbed--at the introduction of an unexpected tension, which carried me through to the very end. Will look for more of Lansens' work, too!

When I first realized that this book was about conjoined twins, I had my reservations. How fortunate that I hung in long enough to realize that this is one of the best books I've ever read about sisterly love and the power of family to create a full and wonderful life despite seemingly overwhelming odds. You'll grow to love these two girls, and I dare you not to sob by the end of this wonderful novel, even though sensible Rose and feisty Ruby would tell you not to.

I know that I'm in the minority here, but I thought this book was rather dreadful. The structural concept is a good one: conjoined twins writing their autobiography in alternating and quite different voices. But that's about the only positive thing I have to say about the book. I really had to drag myself through this one because of the content, which was calculated to shock (e.g., one of them actually gets pregnant while the guy is making out with the other) and to manipulate the reader's emotions (e.g., repetitive maudlin whining for the daughter given up for adoption). If I had to read one more time about Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash mooning at each other and saying "You," I was going to hurl. It was just TOO cute. Call me heartless, show more but this was "girlie drek" at its worst. show less

Rose and Ruby, "the girls" in this novel, are conjoined twins. In fact, at 29, they are the oldest surviving craniopagus twins (joined at the head). Raised by Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash, they now live independently and work at the town library. Rose, the more intellectual and bookish of the two, sets out to write their life story. She asks Ruby to contribute her own writings. The result is The Girls, a story that is both enlightening and touching.

Rose and Ruby have overcome a myriad of physical challenges just to live life day-to-day, and are faced with numerous medical issues. They can only view each other through mirrors. This means that although they have spent every moment of their lives together, their experiences and observations show more are sometimes vastly different. They have also kept secrets from each other. There is a scene where one twin observes a situation she knows will greatly disturb the other twin (who cannot see the situation herself). This is revealed in the novel but, because the twins do not share their chapters with each other, only the reader knows the full story.

Lori Lansens does a brilliant job of describing the significant challenges faced by conjoined twins, while also portraying the twins as everyday people possessed of typical emotions, ambition, and dreams. I also appreciated Lansens' technique of intertwining the twins' stories, revealing different aspects through each girl and allowing the reader to form the full picture of their lives. All in all, quite a thought-provoking read. show less

The idea of a novel based on craniophagus twins (conjoined twins connected at the head) sounded fascinating. Fortunately, the book was as good as the idea of this story. Rose and Ruby are the twin sisters who narrate this story. Their combined tale is warm and realistic with its focus being love and respect for themselves and each other and living as normal a life as possible despite their situation. Somehow, I could see this as being one of those Oprah picks from her former book club. Anyway, the strength of the story comes from the fact that it shows the two girls so different that, in reading this book, one forgets at times that they are conjoined at all.

Wow! Did you ever come to a book having no idea what it was about? “The Girls” was that book for me and I was knocked off my feet by it. See if you can tell what it’s about from this opening paragraph.

“I have never looked into my sister’s eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I’ve never used an airplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that. I’ve never driven a car. Or slept through the night. Never a private talk. Or solo walk. I’ve never climbed a tree. Or faded into a crowd. So many things I’ve never done, but oh, how I’ve been loved. And, if such things were to be, I’d live a thousand lives as me, to be loved show more exponentially.” (Page 3)

Well? Can you guess? I thought not, but that was the opening paragraph of Lori Lansens book about conjoined twins Ruby and Rose Darlens. You may ask yourself, as I did in the first couple of pages, “Why would I want to read a book about conjoined twins? How can it be anything but exploitative, degrading and heartbreaking?” But something made me keep going. Maybe it was the absolutely gorgeous prose. Or possibly the fact that the author is a terrific storyteller. Certainly, it could have been the love that came shining through this novel in so many ways.

The book is actually a series of entries by both girls that serves as their autobiography. And what a life they’ve led! Abandoned by their teenage mother shortly after their birth, (she gives her name as Elizabeth Taylor) they are adopted by the nurse who was present at their delivery and her Slovak husband, the intractable Aunt Lovey and enigmatic Uncle Satsh, who want them to have a normal upbringing and raise them on a farm in southwestern Ontario.

“On the farm, in our first floor bedroom with the queen-size bed and the entwined-hearts comforter and the shelf for Ruby’s stuffed animals and the rack for my baseball cards and library books, my sister and I were sheltered in the essence of normal. We were not hidden, but unseen. The orange farmhouse was our castle, our kingdom the fields around, and the shallow creek that bisected our property the sea we crossed to find adventure.” (Page 43)

The girls grow up to appreciate their own virtues as well as those of their twin and compromise is a daily necessity because well....they’re joined at the head, craniopagus twins. Rose is the intellectual who started the book and wants to see it through while Ruby is the artist, who goes along with her sister, grudgingly. Her chapters are often humorous and add another dimension to her sister’s narrative as they reveal to the reader things omitted by Rose. But their love for each other is undeniable and love for one another and acceptance of others are the main themes of the book.

Lansens is a new author to me but with this book she had me up late, reading just one more chapter, of this “autobiography” written by these endearing characters. Very highly recommended. show less

I didn't realize until I was well into this book that had I not had to read it for book club, I'd have picked it up and read it only because of its weird hook-- the novelty of a book about conjoined twins. I would have read it because of its... ickiness, for lack of a better word (and to try here to be honest). So, illuminating, then, to realize and be ashamed of my shallowness when I fell in love with Rose and Ruby, and realize unforgiveably late the wonder of these characters. A truly heartbreaking and wondrous novel. I wish these girls were real.