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The Girls
The Girls
Author: Lori Lansens
In Lori Lansens’ astonishing second novel, readers come to know and love two of the most remarkable characters in Canadian fiction. Rose and Ruby are twenty-nine-year-old conjoined twins. Born during a tornado to a shocked teenaged mother in the hospital at Leaford, Ontario, they are raised by the nurse who helped usher them into the world...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780676977950
ISBN-10: 0676977952
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 464
Rating:
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2

4.3 stars, based on 2 ratings
Publisher: Little Brown
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

bananapancakes avatar reviewed The Girls on + 95 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
This book was so good. It is about the life of 2 siamese twins- the story told from each of the twins'- Rose and Ruby's- point of views. The font is somewhat different so you can tell who is writing, although half way through you can already tell who is writing by the 1st sentence. Somehow i started feeling just as the girls did in situations. I felt like they could have been good friends of mine by the end. Definitely recommended.
tish avatar reviewed The Girls on + 384 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
i was tentative in reading this book, thinking that it may be weird or maudlin;how wrong i was!
this book about 2 distinct women,Rose and Ruby, who "just happen" to be attached at the head. the book is written by both women, the font changes so you do not get confused as to who is talking.
They can only see each other in the mirror and one twin has to "carry" the other on her hip, reminicsent of the Reba and Lori Schappell, often seen in documentaries on conjoined twins.
this book is about love,tolerance and acceptance.Read it, you will like it!
reviewed The Girls on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
Conjoined twins Rose and Ruby Darlen are linked at the side of the head, with separate brains and bodies. Born in a small town outside Toronto in the midst of a tornado and abandoned by their unwed teenage mother two weeks later, the girls are cared for by Aunt Lovey, a nurse who refuses to see them as deformed or even disabled. At age 29, Rose, the more verbal and bookish twin, begins writing their storyi.e., this novel, which begins, "I have never looked into my sister's eyes." Rose evokes country life, including descriptions of corn and crows, and their neighbors Mrs. Merkel, who lost her only son in the tornado, and Frankie Foyle, who takes the twins' virginity. Rose shares her darkest memory (public humiliation during a visit to their Slovakian-born Uncle Stash's hometown) and her deepest regret, while Ruby, the prettier, more practical twin, who writes at her sister's insistence, offers critical details, such as what prompted Rose to write their life story. Through their alternating narratives, Lansens captures a contradictory longing for independence and togetherness.
GeniusJen avatar reviewed The Girls on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

In what has to be the best blend of heartbreaking sadness and unbelievable joy, author Lori Lansens has managed to write a novel about two girls that you will not soon forget -- if ever. After I finished THE GIRLS, I felt many emotions, but the strongest was that I had just read the story of two of my best and dearest friends. And even though I know that this story is fiction, I can't help but think that somewhere, two girls share a life that is a lot like that of Rose and Ruby Darlen.

Rose and Ruby are twins, yes, but they are also so much more. They are craniopagus twins, born conjoined at the right side of the head. As Rose puts it, she's never looked into her sister's eyes, she's never bathed alone, and she's never taken a solo walk. But what Rose lacks in aloneness is made up for with the closeness that she shares with Ruby, her sister, best friend, confidant, and greatest admirer.

The Darlen sisters were born in the small town of Leaford on the same day that a tornado struck the town and scooped up a young boy named Larry Merkel, who was never seen again. On the day that their mother, a young, frightened woman who called herself Elizabeth Taylor, gave birth, she was attended to by a devoted nurse known as Lovey. When the girls' mother later disappeared a week after that fateful day, much as Larry Merkel had been blown into the wind, it was Lovey Darlen who chose the girls as her own -- or, rather, they chose each other.

As Rose and Ruby struggle to learn to live together and yet retain their own individuality, it is their Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash who provide the love, comfort, and stability that the girls need. Being a conjoined twin has both its benefits and detriments, as both girls learn from an early age. But with the love of their family and the help, support, and dedication of a wonderful cast of supporting characters, the Darlen girls make a name for themselves in Leaford.

THE GIRLS is written as an autobiography, started by Rose to tell the story of her life -- and, with it, the story of Ruby's life, as well. Interspersed with chapters written by Ruby herself, the story doesn't always unfold in chronological order. The things Rose deems important, of course, don't always coincide with what Ruby believes to be necessity.

I laughed while reading this novel, and many times I cried. I went through joy and sorrow, much as the characters did. This is the first story I've read in a very long time that moved me to feel what the characters felt, to feel, in the end, as if I knew them. I applaud Ms. Lansens for her wonderful writing skills, and, although I am sad to say goodbye to Rose and Ruby Darlen, I wish them the best that life has to offer.
reviewed The Girls on + 391 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I loved this novel about conjoined twin girls. Very moving- An awesome read
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beckasdream avatar reviewed The Girls on + 82 more book reviews
This is a great book. It is so unique and you really get attached (no pun intended) to the two main characters. There was one scene in particular that disturbed me, but it was really important to the plot. The rest of the chapters are charming with a little bit of laughter, a little bit of sadness, and a whole lot of sisterly love. I highly recommend this book.
reviewed The Girls on
What a fun and interesting book - The Girls will keep you thinking about them long after the book is finished, which is exactly what they wanted.
reviewed The Girls on + 54 more book reviews
Very good story written as fiction based on fact. Some parts needed more developement, but still very enjoyable storyline.
gailrod avatar reviewed The Girls on + 5 more book reviews
I just finished this book last night. It is about craniopagus-conjoined twin girls, from their early life to present-day 30 yr olds. There are funny parts and sad parts, hard to put this book down.

They switch back and forth each chapter, each telling their story, they are alike but totally different. I laughed out loud at some of the things they came up with.

Each character is described so intimately that you feel you know them. Their Slovakian Uncle Stash & their Aunt Lovey, a nurse, tell it like it is, raising Rose & Ruby to be independent & non-judgmental.
reviewed The Girls on + 86 more book reviews
Loved this book! The story of conjoined twin girls growing up living in a small town. Had to keep reminding myself it was a novel - the characters are all so well-written and that they seemed so real. Laughed out loud a few times and had to dab away a few tears, too.
reviewed The Girls on + 3 more book reviews
Really enjoyed this book. So different from my usual read, couldn't put it down. Highly recommend it.
Kmarie avatar reviewed The Girls on + 529 more book reviews
What a fascinating book! Although it is painful to read at times, it is so full of hope and profound thoughts I just couldn't put it downIt was heart-rending, heart-warming, wonderful, painful, compelling⦠all these things and more. I loved this book, and ripped through it at top speed, which is unusual for me. I loved it and felt that I knew these twins. Each had their own personalities and body shape, hopes and dreams. I fell in love with Uncle Stash and Aunt Lovey, who raised them with love and hope. I am so very sad that I am finished reading this book, however the characters will remain in my heart for a long time to come. This was most likely my best read for the year, and in a year of excellent books that is quite saying something!
Kmarie avatar reviewed The Girls on + 529 more book reviews
What a fascinating book! It was heart-rending, heart-warming, wonderful, painful, compelling⦠all these things and more. I loved this book, and ripped through it at top speed, which is unusual for me. I loved it and felt that I knew these twins. Each had their own personalities and body shape, hopes and dreams. I fell in love with Uncle Stash and Aunt Lovey, who raised them with love and hope. I am so very sad that I am finished reading this book, however the characters will remain in my heart for a long time to come. This was most likely my best read for the year, and in a year of excellent books that is quite saying something!
short-angry14 avatar reviewed The Girls on + 79 more book reviews
This book was absolutely incredible! Lori Lansens book was a great find. The raw emotion, and beauty with which she writes simply takes my breath away. One of the best books I've ever read.
Kmarie avatar reviewed The Girls on + 529 more book reviews
What a fascinating book! Although it is painful to read at times, it is so full of hope and profound thoughts I just couldn't put it downIt was heart-rending, heart-warming, wonderful, painful, compelling⦠all these things and more. I loved this book, and ripped through it at top speed, which is unusual for me. I loved it and felt that I knew these twins. Each had their own personalities and body shape, hopes and dreams. I fell in love with Uncle Stash and Aunt Lovey, who raised them with love and hope. I am so very sad that I am finished reading this book, however the characters will remain in my heart for a long time to come. This was most likely my best read for the year, and in a year of excellent books that is quite saying something!


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