The Girls: A Novel author: Lori Lansens rating: asin: B0015UUZWM binding: Hardcover list price: $23.95 USD amazon price: $23.95

Under normal circumstances, I read between five to seven books a week, usually having one going downstairs as another waits upstairs for my nighttime reading. Lately, however, with my concentration shot to bits by the huge and shocking shift that recently hit out of left field my concentration skills have not been up to par, and it's taken me weeks to finish "The Girls", no matter that it is very well written, engaging and a perfect read for anyone feeling down.

"The Girls" is a novel, but well-researched fiction that revolves around the lives of sisters Rose and Ruby, conjoined twins attached at the head and sharing an artery that prevents any thought of separation. 

As craniopagus twins, their lives are as joined as their heads are, and although as different as any two siblings can be, privacy is a cooperative effort, as is movement, sleep and everything else involved in daily living. Because, however, of the positions of their faces, direct eye contact is not possible, so they live their lives surrounded by mirrors that allow them to communicate as directly as sisters with a bit more distance their advantage.

There are strong adoption threads that run through the story and impact the characters in profound ways, but I leave it to readers to discover these for themselves as the unfolding of the story is the best part of the read.

Each sister tells her own story in her own words, and this is done flawlessly and adds greatly to the multidimensional experience the novel provides. It's a double life story attached at the soul that enriches the reader with more than twice what many novels offer. The hope, the dreams and the acceptance of the world as it is juxtaposed directly against the horror, frustration and disabilities their world places at their feet every day inspired me, presented a perspective that put much into needed focus.