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The book is in stores on Tuesday, May 12th from Mariner. Click on the link to buy a copy. https://amzn.to/3R2JH8N
I love historical fiction novels. Every time I read one, I learn something new. This time, I learned about conjoined twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, who were joined on their sides. They were told that if they had surgery to be seperated they would die. They were born in Siam and became rich and famous by touring the world. They ended up in Wilkes County, North Carolina, and wanting to get married, they met Addie and Sallie Yates, both single, older, and with no prospects. Sallie, who narrates the novel, is not sure she wants to marry Eng, but goes along with it. It’s a weird situation for them as the twins are always together, and there’s never any alone time with them. They soon have babies, lots of them, move houses, lose children, and deal with slavery, and a cheating husband. They end up having 21 children total, not all survive, and we follow along through the Civil War, Lincoln being shot, and slaves being freed. This is an intense, well-written novel, looking at the sisters living with these two men. Author Kline is a distant relative, and this book is incredible. One of the best historical fiction novels….hell, one of the best novels of the year.
