The New Book Review

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Monday, November 4, 2013

Prolific Reviewer Likes Sci-Fi with Twins Protagonists

Title: Division
Author: Karen A. Wyle
Author’s Web site link: http://www.KarenAWyle.net
Division’s Web page: http://www.KarenAWyle.net/division.html )

Available for e-books at http://amazon.com/Division-ebook/dp/B00G82BBQQ/
In other countries it is available at http://smarturl.it/Division

Genre: Near-future science fiction


Fascinatingpresent-day drama with just a touch of the future


Reviewed by Sheila Deeth 


Twins share many things, but Karen Wyle's novel, Division, explores what happens when twins grow up sharing even more than most, including the same body. Gordon and Johnny are so close they cannot move apart, but so separate that a lifetime of compromise can't keep them together. With different interests and different attitudes to life, they've lived as closely joined as two people can be and have learned to dream and cope. Meanwhile the girl next door has become their closest ally and friend. Their mother quietly supports and encourages. And adulthood looms large.

Particularly convincing is the small-town feel of a place where conjoined boys are just two guys in the graduating class, and tourists' stares are a hazard of summer sun. But a near-future world is changing around these boys, offering possibilities previously unknown. They travel, go to court, argue, laugh, and seem so achingly real in their conflict that readers will genuinely wonder whose side to take. Is it more stubborn to change, or stay the same? Is it cruel to think of your own needs above your twin's? Is it more honest to stay with the past, or to reach for future's promise? And where will we, or our future selves, draw the line in moral debate?

The story's as convincing in its court scenes as in the home, or on the road. The characters are just as human when they're friends as when they're foes. And the future world has no easier answers than the present day after all. But the questions will leave readers pondering possibilities and implications.

Beautifully researched and convincingly told, this novel reads like a present day drama with just a touch of the future--just enough to make us question the present more truly. I really enjoyed it.

Disclosure: The author kindly offered me a free ecopy because I'd enjoyed her work in the past.



ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Sheila is a Top 1000 Reviewer and a Vine Voice on Amazon and also reviews for her blog, Goodreads, and others. Learn more about her at:
www.facebook.com/KarenAWyle

 
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.

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