Twins
Prairie Lights Books
Marcy Dermansky’s first novel, Twins, is a masterpiece for young or old adults. She gives us a sect of unidentical identical teenage twins, Chloe and Sue, so identical they can’t bear each other. One wants to live only for her twinship, the other wants to be part of the world at large. At least at first. Dermansky’s carefully drawn story, sad and funny by turns, keeps you guessing, and she brings off an optimistic but absolutely uncorny ending which is tremendously satisfying.–Paul
Read MoreBackstory.com: Twins
I am not an identical twin. Before writing TWINS, I had started another novel about a young woman in San Francisco and then I realized that the last thing I wanted to do was write a book about myself. Instead, I set out to amuse myself. I started with a new, outlandish voice (Sue) and then countered her voice with a quiet, controlled opposite (Chloe). Read more.
Read MoreNew York Times Editor’s Choice Pick
Writers love identical twins. What tidier way to show different sides of one character, explore possible life paths or test the limits of nature and nuture? Dermansky does all that, but her twins (who take turns at narrating) transcend the gimmick in a brainy, emotionally sophisticated bildungsroman-for-two. Chloe, the elder by four minutes, longs for a life of her own, independent of her clingy sister, Sue, who envies her (Chloe is an eighth of an inch taller) and thinks she’s smarter and prettier. Sue adores Chloe, whose every gesture toward independence sends her into paroxysms of jealousy. On their 13th birthday, she wheedles and bullies Chloe into getting tattoos –...
Read MoreOutsmart Magazine
“A poignant, compelling story, Dermansky’s debut successfully reconnects us with adolescent angst and leaves us wondering which is the evil twin.” Read the review.
Read MoreLarge Hearted Boy: Book Notes
I couldn’t stop seeing TWINS: The Movie in my head while I was writing the actual novel. Chloe and Sue were real to me, the scenes coming in as if I was part of the audience, watching. I could see my identical twins at the tattoo parlor: skinny and pale, cold and nervous in their pink bras. I could see angry Sue on her unicycle, riding defiantly through the snowed filled suburban streets. Or Chloe, in her shiny uniform on the basketball court, shooting free throw after free throw. Here are some songs by indie artists that would be on the TWINS soundtrack
Read MoreThe Hunstville Times
By DARLENE JOLLY Two very different sisters cope with pain in family”Twins” is a raw, extraordinary look at the lives of Chloe and Sue. Born into wealth, they have never wanted for anything but love and acceptance from their parents and their brother. Their story becomes a dark, heart-breaking tale about adolescents trying to survive. Chloe and Sue have long blond hair and blue eyes, but differ greatly. Chloe is the bookworm; Sue is the trouble-maker. On their 13th birthday, Sue bullies Chloe into getting a tattoo. Sue has always tried to get her way; never happy, she’s determined Chloe won’t be either. Sue sometimes stalks Chloe when Chloe tries...
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