SOLVED. 1990's book about a rich, dysfunctional family getting together [s]

[Patnel]

1990's, English language. A rich family gathers together for a family reunion. One of the sisters is an actress, and two of the brothers are twins. However, one of the twins died in Vietnam. The twist is, everyone thinks Brother A died, when really Brother B went to Vietnam in Brother A's place. So Brother A has been living his life as Brother B since the '60s. That's the only part I remember clearly.

[Krazykiwi]

I just ran across this, which has twins and vietnam (both drafted, one goes, one dodges). I haven't read it, I just was reading a review and remembered someone asking here, so I can't tell you if the rest fits though.

The Brothers K

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Patnel, was this more mass market fiction, or literary fiction?

[Patnel]

More mass market, I believe. I looked at Brothers K and I don't think that's it. Thanks

[Patnel]

Bump

[Kris]

Interesting plot. Was it definitely the Vietnam War?

What did the surviving brother do after the war?

[Patnel]

Definitely Vietnam. The patriach of the family had fought in WW2. The living brother went on to live a normal life, though he kept his distance from the rest of the family so they wouldn't find out about the switch. Also, one of the sisters became an actress.

[Patnel]

Bump

[Michele]

There are several lists of books with twins, here, here, and here.

[Patnel]

Nope. That was a great idea, but unfortunately, I didn't see the book on any of those lists.

I remember that the book was set in Virginia/West Virginia, someplace hilly but not in the deep South.
The patriach was self-made man, who wasn't close with the rest of the family. His wife was deceased, as he was now (unknown to the rest), expecting a child with his maid.

[Patnel]

Bump

[mdt]

This Way Madness Lies by Thomas William Simpson sounds like it could be a match.

Not sure if linking is allowed, but the Kirkus Review summary on Amazon has a detailed summary that mentions a twin that took his brothers identity and actress sisters.

[Kris]

Good find, mdt!

http://www.amazon.com/This-Madness-Th...

[Patnel]

Yes! This is definitely it. Thanks so much. As always, I am amazed at how helpful the Gooddreads community is.