Book Review: Identical Strangers

Oh, we all know how I adore George. If you don't, read this post and follow some of the links.

Not too long ago, George interviewed Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein, who have written a book called Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited. Paula and Elyse are identical twins who were adopted out to different families back in the late 1960s and were never told they had a twin until they were 35 years old, when a series of cosmic events brought them together. And when George interviews an author, the coyote's ears perk up, and she usually acquires the author's book. That's exactly what happened with this gem of a memoir.

This is a fascinating, highly engaging read. The story is incredible: separated at birth by a well-known Jewish adoption agency, Elyse and Paula were originally meant to be part of a twins study conducted by a bunch of sketchy doctors. Due to an early health issue, they were dropped from the study, but the damage had already been done: they'd been separated after spending not only nine months in the womb but several months in a foster home before they were finally adopted.

At thirty-five, Elyse, on a whim requests information about her birth parents from the adoption agency. Paula never did any searching and never wanted to be found, but one day after Elyse's application for information is submitted, the adoption agency calls her out of the blue to tell she has an identical twin sister.

The journey for these two women is simultaneously marvelous and heart-wrenching, and there is more than one level of journey going on in this book. First, the sisters reunite and begin meticulous investigative research into the adoption agency and the twin study they were meant to take unwilling part in, with the ultimate goal of finding out who their birth mother is. Second, on a deeper, emotional level, the reader is drawn into the narrative exploring the conception of a relationship, a very intimate relationship that began in the womb, but never had the chance to develop until after their reunion. There are a lot of complicated feelings and it's a rough time for both sisters as they struggle with a hypothetical past and an uncertain future together, not to mention the meshing of different personalities. Finally, there is the journey to closure, the result of their intense research and the tireless leaping over of enormous obstacles.

This is also a journey of genes and all their nuances and intricacies. While genetics are a complicated subject - both scientifically and ethically - Paula and Elyse manage to provide a lot of information about DNA and its study in layman's terms, something I appreciated and something I know would take a lot of skill for a writer. Both of these women have made their livings as writers, interestingly enough, so the book was, perhaps unsurprisingly, very well-written, very well-organized, and the voices of the authors are both captivating and infectious, while maintaining clarity and individuality.

This book will be remaining on my shelves. Thank you, George!