Under Gemini: A Memoir

by Isabel Bolton

Long before the loss of her twin sister Grace, Isabel Bolton's parents both died of cholera and their five children were raised by relatives. Bolton's prose captures the chaotic and unstructured life she and her siblings led, finding comfort in each other among the violet-scented meadows of their uncle's estate in New London -- until Grace's untimely death. First published in 1966, this extraordinary memoir is a classic evocation of childhood at the turn of the century.

Genres: Memoir

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* I've read a few childhood memoirs by now, this one has a unique place in that it's the first I've come across that shares the experience of twinship. I didn't know it when I began, and was confused by the author referring to herself as "we", but soon it all became clear. That wasn't the only interesting part about it, either. Her parents died when they were quite young, and how they were raised after that is something worth reading.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chose this book because it's a thin paperback and is easy to read in bed at night, also because it looked like it would have no violence in it and because I'm growing more interested in the lives of my well-to-do but unhappy Connecticut forbearers. It turned out to be gorgeously written, vivid sensory reminiscence of her childhood full of comical insights and misbehavior. It's a treat to have a story to look forward to each day, and this book provided that, and I'm very grateful to Mary (not Isabel, that's her pen name).

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, lyrical memoir of the author's Victorian childhood. She and her siblings, including an identical twin sister were orphaned and raised by relatives. They lived in their own home with a governess, maid and were supervised by a wealthy aunt and uncle who lived nearby. This is an exhilarating book to read and the prose is not as baroque as in the author's three earlier novels. It was a pleasure to read.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bolton is a wonderful writer and I tore through this memoir fairly quickly. However, I felt unable to connect with her lifestyle and everything felt a little too proper for me.

[ThirdCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story. I know because the author was related to my husband. Names have been changed (some of them), but the twins Mary and Grace did exist and their tragedy was real.

[Gail Kennon]

beautiful and intimate memoir of a twinned childhood. i'd like to read her novels now.