Description
Book SynopsisAn atmospheric tale of identical twins, and the ties that bind and break.
Identical twins Clemmy and Helen, named after the beautiful heroines of Greek mythology, live in a dilapidated cottage in the woods, having little contact with the outside world. Abandoned at birth by their father, a painter, the girls are raised by their mother, who they ignore, existing only for each other.
Aged 14, they break into their father’s locked studio, discovering a self- portrait their father left for them, alongside a note – addressing them as ‘his beauties.’ This discovery opens the first cracks in their relationship. Helen becomes obsessed with him, determined to become painter herself. Clemmy fights against this, dreaming of an escape from the forest which has always frightened her, and becoming an actor. Aged 16, their mother abandons them. Clemmy celebrates their freedom, and the fault lines between the twins widen. Within a year Clemmy leaves for London and Helen finds herself alone at the cottage and pregnant by Beautiful Boy.
The Other is story of love in all its facets: from the unique love of twins who yearn both for togetherness and individualism to sharing the love of a child.
