So if you saw the earlier post today, you’ll have noticed that I mentioned Karen Wyle by name. She sent me an email that sparked me to actually post today, so I’m eternally grateful to her for that. In return, I want to tell you about her latest novel - which is fabulous and intriguing and thought-provoking as per usual. It came out in paperback yesterday, so definitely check it out!

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Division

by Karen Wyle

*My review copy was provided by the author.

Divisionis another thought-provoking, ethically-challenging and very enjoyable story from a talented author. I met Karen through an invitation to review her first novel (Twin-Bred - a review of which is also available on here, and another book you will want to pick up), which I also thoroughly enjoyed (it’s sequel, Reach, is on my to-read list and the only reason I haven’t read it yet is that the birth of my daughter interrupted my reading schedule, teehee). She crafts clever, inventive, unique stories peopled with very human (even when they’re not!) characters that are real and flawed and complex in all the best possible ways.

Division is a story of conjoined twins - not a subject I ever gave much thought to, honestly, but one which let her explore the ideas of family and self in ways all to applicable, I think, to all of us. The tale of Johnny and Gordon made me think, rage, cry, blush, and laugh out loud - the full range of emotion is here, with a spin I doubt you’ve ever considered but which she manages to handle deftly with sensitivity but not sentimentality. The boys’ struggle to live individual lives is guaranteed to leave an impression - and to make you think about your own concept of what it means to be you and live your life, limits and opportunities all.

Excellent job Karen. If you aren’t familiar with her books I simply can’t encourage you enough to pick them up. They aren’t like anything else you’re reading - in the best possible way.