Lives of the Twins

by Joyce Carol Oates

While having an affair with Dr. Jonathan McElwain, young and pretty Molly Marks secretly decides to have an affair with Jonathan's identical twin brother--with devastating results.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Joyce Carol Oates is an American writer. Oates published her first book in 1963, and has since published 58 novels, a number of plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Her novels Black Water (1992), What I Lived For (1994), and Blonde (2000), and her short story collections The Wheel of Love (1970) and Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories (2014) were each finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. She has won many awards for her writing, including the National Book Award, for her novel Them (1969), two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019).
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lives of the Twins is Joyce Carol Oates' one (and apparently only) venture into writing under a pseudonym, Rosamond Smith. It's an interesting little novel with an intriguing pretense - a seemingly insecure, ungrounded woman named Molly Marks falls in love with her psychotherapist, Jonathan McEwan. After months of the affair, they decide to move in together, and on the evening they are first in the apartment, Jonathan casually mentions having an identical twin. He says little else other than that they are not extremely close, and makes only a slight hint that they had a falling out. All of this is much to Molly Marks' (I use her full name purposefully - I will explain) chagrin, which immediately sets the rest of the book's events in fierce motion. Molly Marks - behind Jonathan's back - sets out to find and meet James, his twin brother, who is also a psychotherapist (surprise! maybe not...) and discover what he is like, and what mysterious reasons or reasons pulled them apart. Beyond that, I am afraid I venture into spoiler-land, so I will refrain.

What I will say for any curious reader of this novel is to not be prepared for too much to happen in this book. It can be a quick read, easily, but it's more psychological than eventful. Oates/Smith is clearly exploring the entire theory of identical twins; how much of their identity and what makes them "alike" also makes them standout and be unique. Whenever there is something drastically different between their personalities is wherein the suspense of this book lies, and Oates/Smith is cleverly adept at dropping these little revelations into the reader's laps unexpectedly. Jonathan is younger, seemingly kinder, remote, and quieter. James reveals a cynical, clever, almost sadistic side as the older of the two. Bouncing to and fro, and fretting all the while, between the two is Molly Marks - curiously referred to by her full name throughout a majority of the novel. As Molly becomes, in essence, a patient of both brothers (again, I reveal nothing further), I cannot help but feel that Oates/Smith intended this as a clinical device, keeping her somewhat separate to the observer, all the while being the protagonist. Jonathan and James' characters are the true depth of the story here.

Again, this psychological, almost thriller-type novel can move fast - there are chapters that are only 1-3 sentences long. Oates/Smith leaves much to ponder, especially at the rather surprise ending (which can be either a letdown or just about right, depending upon how the book sits with you as you read it). Supposedly, Oates was disappointed when her ruse as Rosamond Smith was discovered, and never used a pseudonym again. I went into this book knowing that Smith was Oates, and the writing style is undeniably and completely Oates. Those who begin with this novel before any other books by Oates would understandably not draw the parallel too immediately. I would suggest reading other stronger Oates pieces first - Lives of the Twins is okay, and intriguing enough, but nothing too amazing. I would rank it 3.5 stars for the cleverness of the story, but going along with Good Reads star ranking will keep it fixed at 3.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

if anyone does 'creepy and seeped in dread' better than Joyce Carol Oates i want to know them... this book never does give you the gutpunch of several of her other tales, but it is plenty unseemly and dark... i was hoping for more awfulness and nastiness on the page, but it does leave you with a rather unexpected but totally apt ending...

[Vivienne Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

not at all believable but entertaining, I much prefer Oates writing as Oates

and what is with the repeated full names of the characters - Molly Marks Molly Marks Molly Marks - absolutely maddening...

[Lissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... I read the book after watching "L'amant double" by François Ozon. I was curious what the book is like. I was a bit disappointed, mainly because of the ending. I somehow expected more from the ending but maybe that's because I saw the movie. It's an interesting book tho!

[Buchdoktor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly und ihr Psychotherapeut Jonathan verlieben sich ineinander und ziehen zusammen. Jonathan, ein sehr zurückhaltender Mann, gesteht Molly nur sehr widerwillig, dass er einen Zwillingsbruder hat, der ebenfalls Psychotherapeut ist. Jonathan und James sind "spiegelbildliche Zwillinge". Einer ist Rechtshänder der andere Bruder Linkshänder; das Spiegelbild des eines Mannes wirkt wie das exakte Abbild seines Zwillings. Als Kinder haben die Jungen ihre Ähnlichkeit so extrem zu Streichen ausgenutzt, dass ihre Schule beschloß, nach diesen speziellen Knaben kein Zwillingspaar mehr zuzulassen. Molly, von Neugier getrieben, aber nicht intelligent genug, um es mit Jonathan und James gemeinsam aufzunehmen, meldet sich unter falschem Namen in James Praxis als Klientin an. Während Molly ihr Leben komplett auf den Kopf stellt, um Jonathan ihre therapeutischen Eskapaden zu verheimlichen, stellen sich beim Lesen allmählich die Nackenhaare auf. Zur Steigerung des gepflegten Gruselns trägt Kater Danton bei, der Molly offenbar gezielt verwirren soll. Ist es überhaupt möglich, eine Katze zu manipulieren? Jonathan als jüngerer Bruder hat sich dem dominanteren James stets unterlegen gefühlt. Dass James ihm nun beruflich Konkurrenz macht, war sicher keine gute Idee. Als Molly Zweifel an dem kommen, was ihr die Zwillingsbrüder unabhängig voneinander erzählen, hat sie sich bereits unrettbar in einem Netz aus Wahnsinn, Illusion und Manipulation verfangen.

Rosamond Smith erzeugt subtiles Gruseln, indem sie ihre Leser an der eigenen Wahrnehmung zweifeln lässt. Solange Jonathan und James Molly (und mit ihr den Lesern) noch nicht gemeinsam gegenübergetreten sind, muss man hier bis zum letzten Absatz alles infrage stellen.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I still can't believe I've read this book. But what amazes me the most is that I actually finished it. Sorry for all the people that actually like it, it's just not my thing.
Molly Marks is kind of a childish character and I can't believe how it ended. Maybe the end is what pisses me off the most. Ahahah

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly satisfying dark psycho/sexo thriller from Oates. It’s about twins and really uses twins as we might expect, but it’s still a fun ride. For a pulpy thriller. I’ve loved Oates for years but never knew she had fix or six books under this pseudonym.

[Luan Dalmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

esse final não é aberto, ele é ARREGAÇADO

Eu tô com ódio desse final, vocês não tem ideia. O livro é escrito pela Joyce Carol Oates (minha nova obsessão literária, desde o ano passado) usando pseudônimo.

A gente vai acompanhar a Molly Marks, que é amante/namorada do seu ex-psicoterapeuta Jonathan McEwan. Eles dois se mudaram para um apartamento e tão vivendo bem tranquilos. Até que um dia, Molly vê Jonathan na rua e o chama, mas ele nem olha pra ela.
Algum tempo depois, ele conta que tem um irmão gêmeo, James, mas eles não se falam há muitos anos porque James fez algo que prejudicou Jonathan.

E então Molly decide dar uma de investigadora/detetive/curiosa-fofoqueira e vai procurar James. E se torna amante dele. Enquanto namora Jonathan. E aí a gente vai ver o que ela vai descobrir sobre o que aconteceu para eles pararem de se falar.

É um livro de suspense curtinho, mas muito bem escrito (a Joyce tem dessas). Desde o começo a gente vê a relação meio complicada da Molly com o Jonathan, com ela sendo meio submissa, se desculpando rapidamente quando ele ficava irritado com algo, dizendo que a culpa foi sua, e não dele.
E depois ela vai com James, que também não é muito melhor. E eu fiquei muito curioso pra saber onde a história iria chegar, já que ela é meio parada e lenta, acontecendo poucas coisas que possibilitam saber o que será importante ou não, e também é cansativa.

E aí teve o final.
AAAAAAAAA que raiva! Ele não é um final aberto, ele é ARREGAÇADO, ARREGANHADO etc. Ele acaba na melhor parte do livro e simplesmente não dá pra saber o que aconteceu depois. Tem tantas possibilidades que eu fiquei louco pensando. Mas eu amei.

gatilhos: violência sexual e psicológica, aborto, (uma possível) ideação suicida

[Hermeowne Blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twinnieology, sibling rivalry to the point of near-incestuousness, heavily hetero-coded relationship(s) rendered almost mockingly from the female’s perspective, non-ethical polyamory within the restraint of monogamy (hence lies, secrets, thrills, consequences), ineffective communication to the point of cowardice, and that ending…that lukewarm, seemingly-disappointing but apt ending! We’ll simply never know what’s truly gone down between the McElwain twins.

This book offers the brand of guilty pleasure that a non-supernatural version of < the vampire diaries > would (don’t ask me how I spend my free time apart from reading fictions). Took me 4 sittings max to finish this and it was one of the most peculiar experiences!

Also: I’m lucky enough to have found the unedited, reader’s proof version of this book in a second-hand bookstore in London and I imagine what I’ve managed to read is even quirkier than the standardised copies. =)

[Kendra Chubbuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I have identical twins that absolutely hate each I thought I would read this book! It's about mirror twins too - just like mine. It looks interesting. In the book, these twins are both psychiatrists. Hum. . .that makes me wonder. I know, for sure, one of my twins should be seeing one and probably should be on some kind of medication for anger. He is never in a good mood. Well, of course, there is a woman involved in the book and she is dating them both and they don't know it. Seen that happen before. My twins have been known to date the same female! What is up with that? What is wrong with the female? Doesn't she have any self esteem? She knows she's dating them both at the same time? It's going to be a major problem. . .I know, I lived it. I'll let you know how the book comes out. I knew it wasn't going to end well - it never does. It was a cliff hanger and you don't know how it ends. . .I stayed up reading until 1:30 am wondering what was going to happen. It PISSED ME OFF. JUST LIKE MY TWINS - THEY PISS ME OFF TOO! I'm just glad Molly Holly Marks had the pistol! So much for speaking to each other. Jerks.

[Kansas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una pena que Rosamond Smith (seudónimo de Joyce Carol Oates) no esté editada en España, porque es igual de buena que cuando firma con su nombre. Quizás como Rosamond Smith se atreva con historias más bizarras, thrillers psicológicos llevados al límite, y se atreve también a soltarse más la melena. A mi me apasiona también como Rosamond Smith y en Lives of the Twins ataca un tema muy en boga: doppelgangers, gemelos, clones..., dualidades enfrentadas, un tema apasionante. Las vidas de dos gemelos, James y Jonathan McEwan se entremezclan en la vida de una mujer Molly/Holly, también una mujer dual de alguna forma; llegado a un punto, no sabes que es real y qué no lo es, que es ficción, que es sueño... Magnifica Joyce Carol Oates.

[Lils · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bloody chore to get through. I enjoyed some parts of it and it kept me reading to find out more but in the end the conclusion was so disappointing, resolved nothing and if this was an attempt at focusing more on the psychology of the characters rather than finishing the story then it failed there too. I learned almost nothing about the depth of the characters and why they were the way they were which the whole plot kept suggesting was a huge 'thing' to figure out. The main characters are entirely unlikable with little redeeming qualities. If you're looking for a psychological thriller, pick something else but its probably worth the read to say you've read it and can now also rant about how it's a disappointing story.

[Jackie Jameson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel I will remember reading, but really, it’s like an extra long short story in and of itself. SPOILER—I guess? No real ending except how you’ve interpreted the characters in your own head and how they might behave; kind of, (what do they call it?) a Mexican standoff? Where all the characters are pointing a gun at each other wondering who will fire first. Very interesting novel, but don’t read it for pleasure, because you won’t get any.

[Megan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another JCO favorite! Although it's written under her pen name, it has EVERYTHING I love about her writing style (incredible character development, darkness hidden in the unsaid, relatable settings, and universal emotions), in one of her "shorter" works. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick read that has all the elements of a dark, suspenseful, novel, without any gruesomeness; where emotions tend to be the biggest villain.

[rhea · Rating 3 out of 5]

great very short thriller and for some reason it could still be shorter?? i recently saw dead ringers (cronenberg) and read this synopsis and thought "ah yes more twin sci fi? perhaps?" sexy but also deranged in a way. also cliffhanger? WTF ...... more of a 3.5

[Gina Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when I was a teenager and loved it, thoroughly enjoyed it this time, too!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and creepy thriller written by Joyce Carol Oates under the pen name Rosamond Smith. The ultimate "evil twin" story.

[JimZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by Joyce Carol Oates, using her pen name.

[Muhammad Rajab Al-mukarrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joyce Carol Oates wrote this under her pseudonym Rosamond Smith and I was quite surprised this was lil bit disturbing tho.

[Galayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this book at all. I can't wrap my head around Molly's character and her motivation. I thought maybe the ending makes up for it but it was a letdown. Back to the public bookshelf you go.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. A little disappointed in the ending!

[Katarzyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy summer read. My kind of gothic.

[Chana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just the type of psychological thriller that attracted me to the mystery genre in the first place. I was fascinated. But the ending is so abrupt, the book ends but the story doesn't and we are left to wonder. It is a creepy and beguiling story and I enjoyed reading. It does have a grotesque premise.

[nebulein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Habs in einer Ramschkiste kostenlos aufgeschnappt, hat als Pendellektüre gedient. Allerdings war der Erzählstil nicht so wirklich meins, obwohl der Klappentext echt interessant klang fand ich die ganze Geschichte recht fad und das Ende... naja. 1,5 Sterne.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Cruel characters who treat each other terribly. I read it for the reading challenge, since it's written under a pseudonym, but I really didn't like it at all. No one to cheer for, everyone to cheer against.

[Vivien · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and fascinating read, something very different than what I've read before. The protagonist is an unreliable narrator who you sympathize with less and less as you continue the story. There are times when you feel like you're being manipulated by the author and/or the characters.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

shocking ... disgusting in some sections!