Genetically bound

We review: Identical Strangers
By Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein

Identical Strangers is a particularly intriguing novel. A true story of twins who were separated at birth, adopted by different families and thrown into opposite worlds — all as part of a secret scientific study — without their finding out until adulthood. Twins Paula Bernstein and Elyse Schein, who found out about the study and finally reunited as 33 year olds have written about their experiences in this memoir.

We learn that Elyse and Paula, apart from their obvious physical similarities, followed similar paths in life, from the same university majors to the same allergies. More than just about their reunion and their unearthing of strong parallels throughout their years, this is also their apprehensive experience of getting to know each other. The book also reveals their differences and finally, their rising above the horror of learning that they were part of a secret study which resulted in their loss of a past together.

Those interested in psychology and biology, and more specifically genetics and twin studies, will find the results of this lab-rat experiment on two different people with identical genes quite a thrill for the nature-versus-nurture debate. They will also enjoy the role of family dynamics in relation to personality and intellectual development (IQ measurement). How much of these women is genetic inheritance and what is a result of parenting and the environment is the inherent focus of the book.

Disturbingly poignant, this well- written memoir weaves the science of life into each girls' individual search for truth, marked by a suspense and emotional honesty not terribly common when it comes to delving into this kind of science.

Books to be released

If you're interested in the ever-popular genre of 'chick' literature, here are a few books to be released through 2008:

Theresa Rebeck's debut novel: Three Girls and Their Brother
Katie Fforde: Wedding Season
Marian Keyes: This Charming Man
Chris Manby: Spa Wars
Freya North: Pillow Talk
Emily Barr: The Sisterhood
Louise Bagshaw: Glitz
Scarlett Thomas: The End of Mr Y