Identical

The disturbing novel "Identical" by Ellen Hopkins centers on the lives of Kayleigh and Raeanne, two identical twins. The unsettling and inappropriate relationships they have with friends and family, particularly with their troubled father, are explored in the book. They may have the outward appearance of the perfect American dream family, but they actually go through terrible suffering and have no way out.

Thanks to the book's poetic structure, this story transcends typical teenage drama. Even if readers don't personally relate to the characters, it has the ability to put them in relatable situations. The book's raw, unfiltered nature refuses to sugarcoat disturbing or unpleasant details, bravely presenting the characters' feelings as show more they go through terrifying situations.

I highly recommend reading "Identical" for its gripping plot and remarkable execution of plot twists. The book's impact was so profound that I found myself compelled to revisit its pages to fully appreciate the brilliance of its twists and turns. show less

I finished this book today and something has been bothering me about the story. Kayleigh is diagnosed with DID (aka MPD) and Raeann (her dead twin) is her other personality. Usually DID occurs when someone endures some sort of trauma... the original person can't handle whatever is happening to them, so in order for them to cope, they create this alternate personality to deal with the problem. In this case, Kayleigh was being sexually abused by her father. However, Raeann didn't pop into the picture to help her endure the abuse. Raeann didn't suffer the abuse for Kayleigh. No, Raeann was a bystander and watched it from a distance. She noted what was happening to Kayleigh, "witnessed it" but never stepped in Kayleigh's place to endure it show more for her. In fact, thinking back on the story, I can't think of any instance where Raeann stepped in for Kayleigh ever, to protect her. In fact, Raeann seemed to just be a destructive personality that witnessed what happened to Kayleigh and relays it to the reader, and gets into further trouble with drugs, alcohol, boys (sex & bondage), and is the purging half of Kayleigh's bingeing, except, not even 100% the binger, because I can recall one scene where Kayleigh binges, purges and then makes a huge mess in the bathroom and Raeann is basically viewing the mess and commenting on how Kayleigh needed to clean up after herself.

It seems to me that to be a true DID situation, Raeann would appear when Kayleigh is being abused, to take the abuse... and then disappear again. Raeann is supposed to be seen as the stronger personality, the gritty one, the one that can handle things better, the one who sleeps around and is building a reputation. Yet, in a way, Kayleigh is actually the stronger one, the one who actually lives through the abuse, suffers through it, endures it, while her personality watched. In the end when Raeann is proclaiming how she will be there to pick up the pieces and deal with whatever Kayleigh can't deal with etc. I was like, what exactly DID Raeann deal with? Nothing, as far as I can tell. She had her own demons, yes, but she really did nothing. She was a voice to tell the story, but as far as DID goes, it doesn't work for her particular role, in my opinion. show less

This is a beautiful mesmerizing painful book. In the years since I last read anything by Ellen Hopkins, I had forgotten how well she can pack stories with multiple dark experiences without coming off as melodramatic or inauthentic. She has such a solid grasp on the issues she portrays that everything feels extremely realistic which made it easier for me to get sucked into the story and to connect to and care about the characters. I was especially impressed by the issue that pops up near the end as it was very obvious that she had done quite a bit of planning and research to execute the reveal and unpacking of the issue so effectively. My only minor gripe with the book is that the ending felt too rushed. I would've like to have more time show more to experience the ending--to really feel and see it unfold--rather than being mostly told a lot of new information. show less

When a fatal accident sets off a string of dysfunctional scenarios in the Gardella household, identical twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne cope in their own destructive, abusive ways. Their father is a high-powered judge who has had an awful childhood that he blames on a absent mother and a father who works too much. The twins' mother is a congresswoman who has time for her constituents, but not her own flesh-and-blood.

Raeanne falls into sex, drugs, and promiscuity, while Kaeleigh cuts, binges and purges, and is victim of an incestuous sexual relationship. What has triggered these self-destructive acts are almost beyond comprehension, as we learn just how abusive, sick, and mentally ill the family is.

To say Identical is powerful reading is an show more understatement. As a reader, you are filled with rage, sorrow, confusion, and unadulterated bewilderment. A must-read? Yes. Will any member of this family be 'saved'?...or is the family too torn apart to be put back together? As with all of Hopkin's books, the story isn't pretty, but the writing is powerful and necessary. show less

This book was... disturbing. Very disturbing. I really like the author's style and I think the use of verse is highly effective and contributes something to the story that I never imagined possible... but. And there is a but. I felt this book, unlike Burned which I loved, just went too far. It made me feel uncomfortable, too much so. I can't explain, I usually really like books that are controversial and stretch boundaries but... a man performing oral sex on his daughter while her twin watched and secretly wished it was her? The revulsion I felt was too much. Way too much.

I thought the plot idea was great, very interesting and a rather dangerous subject area to delve into (child abuse, amongst other things). Basically, it's the story of show more identical twins, almost completely alike except one is the reluctant centre of her father's attention... sexual attention. The other twin feels unloved by her father and longs to please him... even sexually. That was the part of this book that made my stomach churn, not so much the abuse of one twin but the incestuous desires of the other.

I read it in a few hours and was gripped in a manner that can only be described as 'horrified'. I couldn't put it down, like the inability to look away from a road accident even after seeing a mangled body. Perhaps it should be given more stars, but I didn't really enjoy this book. Who knows? I'll probably read it again in the future and I might decide to revise this rating. We shall see. show less

Identical is the story of Kaeleigh and Raeanne, mirror image identical twins. It deals with incest/sexual abuse, drug abuse, alcoholism, cutting and mental illness. It also has a surprising twist and a hopeful ending.

Kaeleigh deals with her issues by trying to be a "good girl". Making others happy, acquiescing to the needs of others, not saying NO. Raeanne becomes the "bad girl". Turning to drugs, alcohol and sex, rarely saying NO (even when she should).

It is well written enough that I started it at noon and didn't put it down until I finished it at 6:30pm (well, I did make lunch in there and I might have taken a wee nap). While the subject matter is intense, it is not gratuitously graphic.

As a survivor of several of the subject matters show more discussed, I can honestly say that Ms. Hopkins deals with them honestly. Many may not like the issues (and, no doubt, she is or will be often challenged in libraries) the emotions and language are genuine. I can hear much of myself in her words.

I am looking forward to reading more of her books. show less

Kaeleigh and Raeanne are "identical" in looks but couldn't be more different in temperment or personality AND their fates. Kaeleigh is sexually abused by her father (the mother is a politician) and Raeanne acts out by engaging in equally high-risk behaviors: sex and drugs (marihuana). The family's deep dysfunction belies the sunny California setting and public face. The girls' tales are told in usual Hopkins free verse, with each twin alternating chapters. The voices are distinct and real. This honesty transcends the slightly hyperbolic cast of problems. For mature teens seeking bibliotherapy or, perhaps, escapism/ reassurance (my family is bad but not this bad...) Hopkins trumps again.