The Girls - Lori Lansens

"A graceful meditation on partnership, identity and enduring love" The Times

In twenty-nine years, Rose Darlen has never spent a moment apart from her twin sister Ruby. She has never gone for a solitary walk or had a private conversation. Yet, in all that time, she has never once looked into Ruby's eyes. Joined at the head, "The Girls" (as they are known in their small town) attempt to lead a normal life, but can't help being extraordinary. Now almost thirty, Rose and Ruby are on the verge of being the oldest living craniopagus twins in history, but they are remarkable for a lot more than their unusual sisterly bond.

This book is just superb. From the very first page, I was entranced by "The Girls" and feel that Lori Lansens has written a beautiful, emotional and effortlessly satisfying novel. Another Richard and Judy favourite, I was suprised that this didn't win book of the Year (Jed Rubenfeld's The Interpretation of Murder took the honour).
Ruby and Rose are born to a teenage mother in Leaford, a small fictional town in Ontario, Canada, during a tornado. Raised by the nurse who delivered them, Aunt Lovey and her Slovakian husband Uncle Stash, the Girls are loved fiercely and encouraged to become individuals in their own right. "You're lucky to be you" Lovey tells the twins, "You girls are remarkable. Most people can't say that."
Lovey and Stash are also remarkable. Alongside and entwined with Rose and Ruby's story, is the beautiful and touching tale of love between their adoptive parents. They tell each other, "You" meaning I love you and every other expression of love, simply in that one word.
Tied up in the story are a nearby family, the Merkels, whose young son Larry disappeared during the tornado on the night the girls were born. Mrs Merkel, Cathy,who was present at the birth, never gets over the loss of her son. She and her husband Sherman, play an important part in the story and are part of the secrets Rose and Ruby keep to protect one another.
Rose, who has aspirations of being a writer begins the story, and soon Ruby joins in with chapters of her own. Ruby's chief interest is finding Indian artifacts, and is not particularly keen on the idea of their wrting the book, "Whowants to read a book about a couple of sisters who work at the library in a boring small town, even if they are joined at the head?"
The love between the girls is really what makes this story so very special. They do not seem to mind that they are joined and have worked out a system of fairness whereby each sister has a turn at doing what she wishes to do. When asked if it was possible to separate them,would they proceed, both reply that they wouldn't want this.
They do quarrel, but ultimately share a bond that is unforgettable. "When Ruby and I were little, she used to put her delicate hands inside my shirt, on the skin of my back, or sometimes my tummy. Her clubfeet she'd pres to my thighs. She'd giggle and tease, "I'm taking your warm Rose. I'm taking all your warm." I never minded, and never protested, because I felt that while she was taking my warm, I was taking her cool."
I found this story unbearably at times, there is so much joy interspersed with so much tragedy.
I've lent or recommended this novel to many people, all of whom have enjoyed it immensley. It is quite unforgettable and in Roses's words, "The story of me, of Ruby and me, of Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash, and the Merkels and the others, it's hard to let go."

"Utterly entrancing...touching, tender and, at times, beguilingly funny" Daily Mail