Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Girls
A Novel

by Lori Lansens



      The Girls is a story about Rose and Ruby Darlen. They are craniopagus twin sisters joined at the head. It is an intimate story about their life and daily living routines told primarily from Rose’s point of view. Although they are conjoined, they are unable to see each other face to face, and they have little in common. They were adopted by Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash. Rose retells her life from the beginning, both from her own memories and what she has been told. Ruby occasionally joins in with her own thoughts.

A surgical separation was impossible due to the fact that Rose and Ruby share an essential vein. The story details the various accommodations the girls must make throughout the course of the day and their life: sleeping arrangements, bathroom arrangements, medical obstacles, working arrangements, school accommodations, lots and lots of compromises, and even pregnancy.

After all of this, though, their lives are most affected by another inoperable medical condition. An aneurysm that grows in Rose’s head causes severe headaches (that they joke are passed back and forth between the two), hallucinations, and the deterioration of their health.

Lori Lansens is an incredible author able to bring an intriguing story to life. The Girls will make you feel laughter, heartache, love, anger, gratitude, and gratefulness. The story is not only about two sisters who share a unique bond that very few people will ever know, but it is also a wonderful story about friendship and family.

The Book

Little, Brown and Company
May 2, 2006
Hardcover
0-316-06903-5
Young Adult - Fiction
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
NOTE:

The Reviewer

Sarah Richard
Reviewed 2006
NOTE: Reviewer Sarah Richard is the author of several children's stories, including the latest release Snowman Shapes. She has published several stories, essays, articles, and activities for various print and on-line magazines.
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