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The Girls
The Girls | Lori Lansens
33 posts | 61 read | 52 to read
In Lori Lansens astonishing second novel, readers come to know and love two of the most remarkable characters in Canadian fiction. Rose and Ruby are twenty-nine-year-old conjoined twins. Born during a tornado to a shocked teenaged mother in the hospital at Leaford, Ontario, they are raised by the nurse who helped usher them into the world. Aunt Lovey and her husband, Uncle Stash, are middle-aged and with no children of their own. They relocate from the town to the drafty old farmhouse in the country that has been in Loveys family for generations.Joined to Ruby at the head, Roses face is pulled to one side, but she has full use of her limbs. Ruby has a beautiful face, but her body is tiny and she is unable to walk. She rests her legs on her sisters hip, rather like a small child or a doll.In spite of their situation, the girls lead surprisingly separate lives. Rose is bookish and a baseball fan. Ruby is fond of trash TV and has a passion for local history.Rose has always wanted to be a writer, and as the novel opens, she begins to pen her autobiography. Here is how she begins:I have never looked into my sisters eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. Ive never used an airplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that. Ive never driven a car. Or slept through the night. Never a private talk. Or solo walk. Ive never climbed a tree. Or faded into a crowd. So many things Ive never done, but oh, how Ive been loved. And, if such things were to be, Id live a thousand lives as me, to be loved so exponentially.Ruby, with her marvellous characteristic logic, points out that Roses autobiography will have to be Rubys as well and how can she trust Rose to represent her story accurately? Soon, Ruby decides to chime in with chapters of her own.The novel begins with Rose, but eventually moves to Rubys point of view and then switches back and forth. Because the girls face in slightly different directions, neither can see what the other is writing, and they dont tell each other either. The reader is treated to sometimes overlapping stories told in two wonderfully distinct styles. Rose is given to introspection and secrecy. Rubys style is "tell-all" frank and decidedly sweet.We learn of their early years as the town "freaks" and of Loveys and Stashs determination to give them as normal an upbringing as possible. But when we meet them, both Lovey and Stash are dead, the girls have moved back into town, and theyve received some ominous news. They are on the verge of becoming the oldest surviving craniopagus (joined at the head) twins in history, but the question of whether theyll live to celebrate their thirtieth birthday is suddenly impossible to answer.In Rose and Ruby, Lori Lansens has created two precious characters, each distinct and loveable in their very different ways, and has given them a world in Leaford that rings absolutely true. The girls are unforgettable. The Girls is nothing short of a tour de force.From the Hardcover edition.
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review
ClairesReads
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Pickpick

It would be easy for conjoined twins to be a gimmick, but in The Girls Ruby and Rose are the foundation for a broader exploration of human connection, othering, and social isolation in a range of forms. This story was much more brutal and affecting than I expected and in the end I thought it was very well executed. #readharder2020

Cathythoughts I have this too. I read a small sample, very moving. I‘ll get to it properly soon 🤞🏻 4y
28 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
cherinium
The Girls | Lori Lansens
Pickpick

A sentimental look at 2 sisters, Rose and Ruby, who just happen to be conjoined twins. We get a glimpse of what life is like when one is never alone. The Girls are a known entity in their hometown and are vastly different individuals for anyone lucky enough to know them personally. The author obviously took great care in developing these characters. An enjoyable novel, but I'm not sure how long it will stick with me.

Scochrane26 I read this a few years ago. I liked it. I passed it on to someone else last year because I don‘t think I‘ll read it again. 4y
cherinium @Scochrane26 Yeah. It's certainly not one of those books that need to be revisited. While enjoyable, once is enough. 4y
24 likes2 comments
blurb
Jess861
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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One of my favourite books by Lori Lansens. It is a fictional story about conjoined twins and their lives.

#BiblioMAYnia #AboutSiblings #Fiction #CanadianAuthor

@OriginalCyn620 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

OriginalCyn620 Sounds like a really good book! 5y
38 likes1 comment
quote
Paus0312
The Girls | Lori Lansens

“I‘m obsessed by the act of kissing, because I never been kissed myself” “Maybe a kiss is just a kiss”

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quote
Paus0312
The Girls | Lori Lansens

“People are being nice an optimistic, which is good, because fatal is fatal, but it doesn‘t have to be all downhill”

blurb
maich
Girls | Lori Lansens
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Girls just wanna have fun💕❤
We spent the day with my sister. Went on lunch, gone on a walk, saw 🦆🦆, and ate 🍰

We listening audiobook Drunk Dial (it is good that my baby don't understand English yet😂🙈)

#SpringIsComing #girlsday #mybestgirls #happiness #joy #love

Prairiegirl_reading Have you read the tagged book? It‘s bizarre and I loved it! 5y
StayCurious It looks lovely there! What a nice picture! 5y
maich No, I haven't read it. 5y
maich @StayCurious Thank you😘❤ 5y
64 likes4 comments
blurb
Paus0312
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Starting a new one🤓!!!

quote
Jenniebooks
Girls | Lori Lansens

We rose with the dawn, a length of day before us, with nothing to do and nothing to see but pain and its confusion, and even that was preferable to the alternative in all but my darkest moments, when I imagined death as a fairy, youthful and winged, on whose back we could cruise the clouds.

1 like1 stack add
quote
Jenniebooks
Girls | Lori Lansens

I hum some secret place into being, thinking of this other me, the one that only I can see, a girl called She, who is not We, a girl who I will never be.

quote
Jenniebooks
The Girls | Lori Lansens

I wanted to read all the inscriptions and imagine the stories of these dead people's lives

quote
Jenniebooks
The Girls | Lori Lansens

Still, I have an elaborate fantasy life in which I am a singular woman.
My ultimate wish for myself

blurb
Jenniebooks
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Really personal to me. Borrowed from local library via overdrive

Addison_Reads I read this book a few years ago and really loved it. 5y
Jenniebooks It looks like I will too. Almost everything I read I like. 5y
1 like1 stack add2 comments
review
KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Pickpick

I finally finished the book. It seems like it took forever. I like the girls. It was pretty much reading their diary. Some chapters dragged or felt redundant. Overall, it was a good book. A light read and I teared up after finishing it.

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KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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1. It depends on the books. If Im reading a light read and need a quick read. I will read two books.
2. Yes!
3. Outside looking in. There was a book where I felt like a character.
4. Harry Potter
@nu-bibliophile
#OnlyReadersUnderstand

review
whatrebeccasread
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Pickpick

A story of family, love and overcoming adversity. “The Girls” is written in the style of such a convincing memoir that I felt it was real and in some way, I wanted it to be real. I‘m giving Lori Lansens‘ heartwarming story 5 stars.

See more of what I thought in my full book review up on my blog! 📚

123 likes10 stack adds
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KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Having lunch with conjoined twins Rose and Ruby❤

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KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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1. It depends whom Im talking to. Im from Texas but my hubby and family from Conneticut
2. There's 3 syllables
3. I have kindle, wattpad and of course litsy
4. Staying out the heat with my kids.
5. You should join if you havent☺
#Friyayintro
@jesshowbooks

Robothugs When you do these make sure ya add the hashtag and tag the person who hosts it! In this case, @jesshowbooks 😄 6y
KFinster @Robothugs I totally spaced it out. Im going to edit it now lol 6y
Robothugs We all do it 😆 lol 6y
4 likes3 comments
blurb
KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Over the weekend, I placed a hold on two books at my library. The Girls by Emma Cline and The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena. My librarian made a mistake and gave the other book The Girls by Lori Lansen. I didnt noticed the mistake til I got home. I would admit, I was really looking forward to reading The Couple Next Door. So it put a damper on my day. Honestly, Im so glad she made that mistake. I love this book!! 😀💕

whatrebeccasread I‘ve read both of these (and a few other books with the same name!!) and felt very differently about each of them! Which did you prefer in the end? 6y
KFinster @whatrebeccasread I didnt finished Emma Cline book. It didnt get my attention. I do like The Girls, Lori Lansen. I learned alot about conjoined twins. But..Im in the middle of the book and I feel like Ive already been reading this book forever now. 😕 6y
whatrebeccasread @KFinster I also wasn‘t a fan of Emma Cline‘s book, I‘ve never understood the hype around it! 6y
KFinster @whatrebeccasread I only read 3 chapters and was done. 6y
11 likes4 comments
blurb
KFinster
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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#HumpDayPost
@MinDea

1. Picture of a book fair that my husband set up in the garage of our old books. I wasnt in a good mood that day because I had to wait on a book. So, he did this to put me in a better mood.
2. 104/74 its extremely hot here. No vitamin d for me today.
3. Stuffed mushrooms
4. Back to front
5. Coconut Rum with a splash of juice

rather_be_reading welcome to litsy!! 📚🎉📚 6y
KFinster @rather_be_reading thank you😀 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 6y
12 likes4 comments
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olivia.ferz
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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#friyayintro

1. Used to be 3-4 books but now sticking to 1 book a month.
2. I don't think I can do either of them.
3. Most recent being Munnar in Kerala(India).
4. Not a souvenir type of person. But i did bring back a lot of chocolates and memories.
5. @DebinHawaii @Craftylikefox

Eggs ❤️ answer 4 7y
tammysue Chocolates👌🏻 7y
radhikeey Munnar is such a beautiful place. I have been longing to go there since a very long time. 7y
See All 10 Comments
olivia.ferz @whatshesreadingnow The answer to all my stress! 7y
olivia.ferz @radhikey Yeah, it's amazing. It has a beautiful climate and spectacular views! 7y
radhikeey @olivia.ferz I'll try for November this year 😊 7y
olivia.ferz @radhikey Thats great!👍 7y
RaimeyGallant There's a loophole in 2. Buy used books only. ;) 7y
olivia.ferz @RaimeyGallant 😂😂 I never thought of it like that! 7y
20 likes10 comments
blurb
olivia.ferz
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Can't wait to begin reading this novel on the life of conjoined sisters, Rose and Ruby Darlen!!😊

Chelleo Sounds interesting!! Welcome to Litsy! New book friends are the best! We hope you‘re loving it here! Checkout these #Litsytips: http://bit.ly/litsytips and #LitsyHowTo videos: http://bit.ly/litsyvideos There‘s so many fun things to do: book exchanges, buddy reads, photo challenges and more! Check out @LitsyHappenings for details. @LitsyWelcomeWagon
(edited) 7y
olivia.ferz @Chelleo Thankyou so much!! I'll surely check these out😊. 7y
DebinHawaii This one is sitting in my #TBR stack. Looking forward to seeing what you think. Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚👍Hope you enjoy it here! 7y
See All 21 Comments
olivia.ferz @DebinHawaii I've just started reading it but I'm sure it's going to be great😊. Thanks for the welcome😄. 7y
radhikeey Welcome to litsy! This book sounds intresting. 7y
Jess7 Welcome to Litsy!! 7y
Eggs Welcome to Litsy 👋🏻👋🏻 7y
LitsyWelcomeWagon Welcome! 🤗 7y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 👋😁 7y
Swe_Eva Welcome! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Welcome to Litsy!! 🙌🏻🎊🎉 7y
olivia.ferz @RaimeyGallant, @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, @Swe_Eva , @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego , @LitsyWelcomeWagon , @Eggs , @Jess7, @radhikey Thankyou so much for the welcome!!😄😄 Its just been 2 days and I'm already addicted to Litsy! 7y
asiriusreader Welcome to Litsy!! 7y
Wife Welcome to Litsy!🌹 7y
Bostonmomx2 Welcome to Litsy 💐🌼🌺 7y
Craftylikefox Welcome to Litsy! 🤗 7y
tammysue Hello! Welcome to Litsy!! 👋🏻🎉🌸😊 7y
niha923 Welcome to Litsy!! 👋🎉📚🎉😁 7y
Jas16 Welcome to Litsy! 7y
rather_be_reading welcome to litsy!! 🎉📚🎉 7y
25 likes1 stack add21 comments
blurb
Mrs_Organized_Chaos
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Looks like I will not be getting much sleep this weekend. All three of these books are due back to the library next week. Cross your fingers I can get through them, otherwise, I will have to return and put holds back on them😛

Jess7 #booknerdproblems!! I‘m right there with you! 7y
7 likes1 comment
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Bookzombie
Girls | Lori Lansens
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#junebookbugs Day 12 I know this isn't book related, but this made me laugh because this drives me nuts on social media (not Litsy). #canteven

Aswenson 😂 7y
ReadingSusan Ha ha yes I hate that so much. 7y
LeahBergen 😂😂 (this drives me crazy ... I CAN'T EVEN 😉) 7y
Bookzombie @Aswenson @ReadingSusan @LeahBergen It also drives me crazy because nosy me sort of wants to know, but not enough to comment and give them attention. 😬 7y
Aswenson @Bookzombie Same! 😉 7y
57 likes5 comments
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CherylDeFranceschi
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Went to grab this book after @mllemay said she loved it. The story of conjoined twin sisters, it is supposed to be a marvelous character study with all the feels. Sadly, it's still on my TBR, but I know when I get there, it will be great. #siblings #aprilbookshowers

mllemay Wow, now I really hope you like it! I'm going to feel responsible if you don't lol. That cover is really pretty! 8y
DebinHawaii I have this one in my TBR stack too! One of these days! 😀👍📚 8y
LeahBergen It's so good! ❤ 8y
See All 6 Comments
BibliOphelia LOVE this one! Lori Lansens is soooo good. 8y
Zelma I agree with everyone else here; this book is fantastic. Just loved it! 8y
ValerieAndBooks This was the recommendation for today's page-a-day book calendar, so I'm stacking it! 8y
96 likes4 stack adds6 comments
review
mllemay
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Pickpick

New favorite author alert! My book kryptonite is character-driven novels that revolve around mundane aspects of everyday life. This book is exactly what I want when I'm looking for those kinds of stories. It's a chronicle of the life of the oldest craniopagus twins in the world and not much happens but so much happens, you know? The author's writing style spoke to me in such a visceral way that I now have all her other books out from the library📚

LeahBergen I loved this book. ❤ 8y
KVanRead That is just how I feel about Colm Tòibìn's writing. So little and so much happening. Stacking this one. 8y
mllemay @KVanRead I hope you'll enjoy it :) I'm going to have to check out Colm Tòibìn I think! 8y
See All 6 Comments
mllemay @LeahBergen so good! I can't believe I had never come across this author before - so glad I found her now! 8y
BookThia I also loved Rush Home Road by this author. 8y
mllemay @BookThia oh good! That's going to be my next one. 8y
37 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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Mimi28
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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In my defense for seeming so crazy for wanting to go out in this weather, here are just a few of the 9 books that are " in transit" lol ? Plus I love Chicago winters I can't help it. The air is crisp and there is no one outside. I feel safer, lol. Very high crime rate in the summer around here. Proudly anti- social here, lol ?☃️❄️????❤️?????

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BeverleeWitvoetAbell
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Some travel damage but I am excited to get started on this book as the author is joining our book club on Monday night. I loved "The Mountain Story" which has been the only other one I have read by her!!

1 like1 stack add
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CherylDeFranceschi
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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A moving story of conjoined twin sisters, told with heart. #disabilities #photoadaynov16

Zelma I absolutely loved this book. Great choice! 👍 8y
73 likes5 stack adds1 comment
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Booktrovert
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Rose and Ruby Darlen, conjoined sisters, have been #UnforgettableWomen in my reading life. #booktober #day20

10 likes1 stack add
review
LeahBergen
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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Pickpick

Hmm... let's go for this Canadian novel about conjoined twins as my pick for an #under-hypedbook. Rose and Ruby are the oldest craniopagus twins on record when bookish Rose sets out to write their story (with the occasional humourous chapter by Ruby). A moving novel about connectedness, sisters and what it means to be "normal". #augustofpages #augustphotochallenge

MrBook Wow, phenomenal! Great review! Added 😊👍🏻. 8y
OSChamberlain Sounds like a great read! 8y
Louise This sounds so interesting! Adding to my stack! 👍 8y
See All 6 Comments
Zelma I loved this book and totally agree about it being underhyped. So good! 8y
Soubhiville I loved this one too! 8y
L_auren It was great! The Girls before The Girls... 8y
52 likes11 stack adds6 comments
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Bry
The Girls | Lori Lansens
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I was out enjoying the great weather we had for Canada Day so I'm a day late on the Fun Friday Photo theme. Missing from photo is the book I actually tagged because a friend borrowed it. The Girls by Lori Lansens is one of my favourites - a novel told from the two viewpoints of conjoined twins.

13 likes1 stack add
review
Spmenzel
The Girls | Lori Lansens
Pickpick

Well-written story about conjoined twins.

2 likes1 stack add