An Astonishing Story of Reunited Twins

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	• Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited Elyse Schein, Paula Bernstein Random House, 2007 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 61 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Like you see in a movie

First, in the interest of full disclosure, I've been close friends with one of the authors, Paula Bernstein, for well over 20 years. I also happened to speak to her on the day she learned she had a twin sister, and have followed the saga with her since then. So, before I read the book, I felt like I already knew the most salient parts. But I was in for many surprises and insights. For instance, the emotional ups and downs that has been Paula and Elyse's experience since they learned of eachother moved me more than I even anticipated. And learning the details of this twin study - what there is to learn of them - was pretty unbelievable. I was also touched by the way certain people reacted upon encountering Paula and Elyse and their story - though I'm reluctant to get into this too much so as not to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read it. I've learned much more about my friend, and I've considered issues of family, love, and identity (especially now that I've met and read about Elyse) that as a bio-kid I've never had to confront myself. And this all through a book that was highly readable and engaging to boot. I hope if you've made it this far on Amazon's page, that you'll definitely read this book.

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Five stars for Nature!

Nature v. Nurture? I'm a Nature fan. This book proved it to me, because although one twin got, as a reviewer writes, "the shorter end of the stick," in so many ways they both turned out to be similarly exemplary women. Two identical twins, separated at birth and together, finally, at thirty-five, are lively, attractive, interesting, creative, responsible, charming people; basically, at core, two wonderful souls who, together, wrote a fascinating book that everyone (not just twins) loves to read. I choked up many times listening to the (really great!) Recorded Books audio. One reviewer wrote that there was distance between the twins - their
"voices" didn't mesh or something. Identical or not, they are strong individuals each with her own voice, and I wouldn't expect anything different! The readers' voices on the CD are compelling. I have found that, if a book is not well-written, it doesn't come across well on audio, either. This book is a triumph, a true "family" story. Of course, one can only hope that the twin film-mavens create a smashing documentary to boot. And, too, a studio film would be hot; it's fun to think of who might play them. Remember how great Jeremy Irons was in "Dead Ringers"? (That's for Paula and Elyse...bet they loved it!)

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Couldn't Put It Down

This book is a fascinating read. Very well-written and gripping. With so many discussion-producing topics it is a GREAT choice for a book club or as a gift.

An Astonishing Story of Reunited Twins

Suppose you were adopted and decided to try to find out a little information about your birth family. In the course of your investigation, you discover that you have an identical twin that you never knew existed! And, on top of that shocking news, you learn that you were separated as infants as part of a secret study on twins. This story may seem unbelievable, but it actually happened to Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein.

In their book, "Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited," we learn how these two women made this momentous discovery, their journey to learn more about their history and the study, as well as their efforts to absorb this shocking news and establish a relationship with each other. In reading their accounts, we learn more about what it means to be a twin, especially when two people share identical DNA but different life experiences. Elyse and Paula uncover startling coincidences between them, but also stark differences. This leads to the age-old question: Nature or nurture...which is more influential?

The authors are brutally honest in the book about their changing feelings toward each other. Elyse notes of her sister, "Sometimes I am elated about her appearance in my life. Other times I feel alienated by this experience, angry at the doctors for separating us, incredibly sad that Paula and I didn't have time together growing up, just for us." At one point, Paula notes, "Being with my twin seems to bring out the worst in me." But by the book's end, they find they share a bond that cannot be broken. Says Paula, "But as different as we are, we come from the same stock. In each other, we recognize a kindred spirit. Getting to know our twin and seeing the life we might have led has made us more certain of who we are. Although we don't always fit together neatly, we are missing pieces to the same puzzle."

Whether you're a twin, the parent of twins or simply fascinated by twins, you'll find "Identical Strangers" to be compelling reading. Learn more about this incredible book at www.identicalstrangersbook.com.

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Just fair

I've always been interested in twin studies especially twins raised apart. I didn't find this book especially well written or interesting.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, page 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

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