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The Phantom Twin
A young woman is haunted by the ghost of her conjoined twin, in Lisa Brown's The Phantom Twin, a sweetly spooky graphic novel set in a turn-of-the-century sideshow.
Isabel and Jane are the Extraordinary Peabody Sisters, conjoined twins in a traveling carnival freak show—until an ambitious surgeon tries to separate them and fails, causing Jane's death.
Isabel has lost an arm and a leg but gained a ghostly companion: Her dead twin is now her phantom limb. Haunted, altered, and alone for the first time, can Isabel build a new life that's truly her own?
Isabel and Jane are the Extraordinary Peabody Sisters, conjoined twins in a traveling carnival freak show—until an ambitious surgeon tries to separate them and fails, causing Jane's death.
Isabel has lost an arm and a leg but gained a ghostly companion: Her dead twin is now her phantom limb. Haunted, altered, and alone for the first time, can Isabel build a new life that's truly her own?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2020
26 people are currently reading
3692 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Brown
231 books143 followersLISA BROWN is the bestselling illustrator and/or author of a growing number of books, including How to Be, The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, and Baby Mix Me a Drink. She draws the Three Panel Book Review cartoon for the book section of the San Francisco Chronicle. Lisa lives in San Francisco with her son and her husband, who is rumored to be Lemony Snicket.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 454 reviews
May 5, 2020
This graphic novel was a fantastic read! I liked the realistic ways with sisters, how they sometimes argue and other times get along. I enjoyed the humor. The love story is cute. It's interesting to follow a Siamese twin's daily lives, how one person has to give in and do what the other person wants. Isabel and Jane often bicker, but I find it funny. The illustrations are fascinating and I spent too much time looking at it. My 8 year old son read this book in half of a day on 5/4/20 and loved it.
This graphic novel slashed comic book started with a prologue, told in the first person point of view following Isabel, 16 as she woke up afraid to open her eyes because it's the first time in her life where she will be without her twin sister Jane, 16. Then the story began with Isabel (Iss) and Jane (Jan) or both known as Jan-Iss, a conjoined twin also known as Siamese twins. They were three years old when their parents sold them to a sideshow. Iss talked about how Jan being older by a few seconds, was stronger and often Iss had to do what Jan wanted. From the show, a doctor met them and offered to perform a separation surgery so that they could each exist on their own. The surgery left one living and the other a phantom. This story is divided into four parts and ended with an epilogue.
The Phantom Twin is very well written and illustrated. A fast paced read and heartfelt story line. There were moments where I laughed and other times I cried. I'm glad to read about Siamese twins again because I haven't read one in a long time. The supporting characters are likable like Tommy, Harold, and Nora. I like looking at the half man half woman illustration. I really enjoyed the author's note and yes, as much as it's fascinating to see a freak show, I would definitely feel sorry for them being born that way and then to be put on display. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to First Second for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This graphic novel slashed comic book started with a prologue, told in the first person point of view following Isabel, 16 as she woke up afraid to open her eyes because it's the first time in her life where she will be without her twin sister Jane, 16. Then the story began with Isabel (Iss) and Jane (Jan) or both known as Jan-Iss, a conjoined twin also known as Siamese twins. They were three years old when their parents sold them to a sideshow. Iss talked about how Jan being older by a few seconds, was stronger and often Iss had to do what Jan wanted. From the show, a doctor met them and offered to perform a separation surgery so that they could each exist on their own. The surgery left one living and the other a phantom. This story is divided into four parts and ended with an epilogue.
The Phantom Twin is very well written and illustrated. A fast paced read and heartfelt story line. There were moments where I laughed and other times I cried. I'm glad to read about Siamese twins again because I haven't read one in a long time. The supporting characters are likable like Tommy, Harold, and Nora. I like looking at the half man half woman illustration. I really enjoyed the author's note and yes, as much as it's fascinating to see a freak show, I would definitely feel sorry for them being born that way and then to be put on display. I highly recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to First Second for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
March 7, 2021
I've been feeling so slumpy lately, so this was a good kickstart as something I could read in a sitting or two. It was easy to understand and I liked the setting and the modern take on a circus that mainly just profits on individuals who look different and thus are vilified by society. It was a bit surface level for me, but it was an easy and interesting read!
September 18, 2024
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
The title and cover art give Halloween vibes, but The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown isn’t a spooky graphic novel. It’s about Jane and Isabel, conjoined twins (here called the outdated “Siamese twins” to align with the story’s time period) who are employed by a circus as part of its freak show. “Phantom twin” is a play on “phantom limb,” an unnerving sensation some people experience after limb amputation. As the cover hints at, the phantom “limb” in this case is one of the twins. After separation surgery kills Jane, she lives on as an occasional phantom who pesters Isabel.
The book has three storylines, none of which complement each other properly. The title indicates it’s going to be about the aftermath of losing a twin, but the focus is largely on the freak show and, later,—tossed in and unconnected to anything else—Isabel’s love life, . Jane the phantom twin is nothing more than an annoying presence, weakly reinforcing the discomfort of phantom-limb sensation. Her relationship with Isabel, and especially the hindrances of being conjoined, is poorly established because Jane dies less than forty pages in.
Brown explains later that freak shows have fascinated her since childhood. Like anyone with a heart she recognizes that the shows are appalling—yet that doesn’t come through strongly: Their boss is a bully, and audience members are gleefully heartless, but for these freak-show participants, they simply work a bad job.
The impression I got with The Phantom Twin is that Brown conceived of the “phantom twin” play on words and loved it so much that she forced a story out of it, one that conveniently dovetailed with her interest in freak shows. Both freak shows and death of loved ones are impossible to lighten up, and the book risked getting too depressing, so she added a romance. However, although it’s heartwarming to see the lonely protagonist find this happiness, the romance isn’t without some romantic complications that, in their (comparative) triviality, dismiss the gravity of the two other focuses. With a really clear vision and decisive message these three could combine, though in a much longer book. This isn’t a satisfying read about any of the three topics, but as separate graphic novels Brown may have been able to do them justice.
The title and cover art give Halloween vibes, but The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown isn’t a spooky graphic novel. It’s about Jane and Isabel, conjoined twins (here called the outdated “Siamese twins” to align with the story’s time period) who are employed by a circus as part of its freak show. “Phantom twin” is a play on “phantom limb,” an unnerving sensation some people experience after limb amputation. As the cover hints at, the phantom “limb” in this case is one of the twins. After separation surgery kills Jane, she lives on as an occasional phantom who pesters Isabel.
The book has three storylines, none of which complement each other properly. The title indicates it’s going to be about the aftermath of losing a twin, but the focus is largely on the freak show and, later,—tossed in and unconnected to anything else—Isabel’s love life, . Jane the phantom twin is nothing more than an annoying presence, weakly reinforcing the discomfort of phantom-limb sensation. Her relationship with Isabel, and especially the hindrances of being conjoined, is poorly established because Jane dies less than forty pages in.
Brown explains later that freak shows have fascinated her since childhood. Like anyone with a heart she recognizes that the shows are appalling—yet that doesn’t come through strongly: Their boss is a bully, and audience members are gleefully heartless, but for these freak-show participants, they simply work a bad job.
The impression I got with The Phantom Twin is that Brown conceived of the “phantom twin” play on words and loved it so much that she forced a story out of it, one that conveniently dovetailed with her interest in freak shows. Both freak shows and death of loved ones are impossible to lighten up, and the book risked getting too depressing, so she added a romance. However, although it’s heartwarming to see the lonely protagonist find this happiness, the romance isn’t without some romantic complications that, in their (comparative) triviality, dismiss the gravity of the two other focuses. With a really clear vision and decisive message these three could combine, though in a much longer book. This isn’t a satisfying read about any of the three topics, but as separate graphic novels Brown may have been able to do them justice.
June 10, 2020
A book that feels like it started with a clever title (punning on phantom limb) and then worked hard to backfill a story to fit. I hadn't read the back cover so I did not realize it was about conjoined twins in a carnival sideshow set at some vague point in the past. I grew uncomfortable as I wondered if this book was more elucidating or exploitative of persons with disabilities. Regardless, the story wasn't particularly interesting or well-told.
February 20, 2020
3.5/5 stars rounded up ⭐⭐⭐.5
Early copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Phantom Twin was a gentle reminder that I need to read more graphic novels, because I always end up devouring them in one sitting- and then waiting several months before picking another one up.
What I loved the most about this particular graphic novel was Isabel's growth as she learns how to navigate life without her sister (and conjoined twin) Jane- and the beautiful art style that is used to tell their unique (and heartbreaking) story.
This wasn't the first time that I've encountered a freak show in my reading, but it was the first where I could tell that the author really took the time and effort to share the good, the bad, and the ugly while remaining as respectful as they possibly could.
Early copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Phantom Twin was a gentle reminder that I need to read more graphic novels, because I always end up devouring them in one sitting- and then waiting several months before picking another one up.
What I loved the most about this particular graphic novel was Isabel's growth as she learns how to navigate life without her sister (and conjoined twin) Jane- and the beautiful art style that is used to tell their unique (and heartbreaking) story.
This wasn't the first time that I've encountered a freak show in my reading, but it was the first where I could tell that the author really took the time and effort to share the good, the bad, and the ugly while remaining as respectful as they possibly could.
August 27, 2020
Meh. The story of two conjoined twins that work in a carnival side show. At a certain point, the pushy one of the two forces them to have an operation to separate. Now the introverted sister of the two has to learn to live with the repercussions of that decision. Neither the art nor the story were anything great to speak of.
February 25, 2021
jane and isabel are conjoined twins who work at a carnival sideshow. a doctor promised jane that he can surgically seperate the two, giving them a real shot at independence from each other but isabel who doesnt control their shared limbs, isnt nearly excited by the prospect as jane is. unfortunately, the operation proves fatal to jane and isabel must now cope with the new reality.
i really enjoyed this!!! the relationship between the twins is just.......:") this is something new & refreshing too, i cant believe this is actually lisa brown's debut graphic novel!! such a fantastic start and i really love the art.
thought it would be great if things gone a little bit deeper, some parts were a bit draggy. but its still a great read even though i felt that it might not be for everyone! esp. those who are not into a dark gothic theme. i also appreciate the end note which gave a bit of info about freak shows in the early 1900s.
i really enjoyed this!!! the relationship between the twins is just.......:") this is something new & refreshing too, i cant believe this is actually lisa brown's debut graphic novel!! such a fantastic start and i really love the art.
thought it would be great if things gone a little bit deeper, some parts were a bit draggy. but its still a great read even though i felt that it might not be for everyone! esp. those who are not into a dark gothic theme. i also appreciate the end note which gave a bit of info about freak shows in the early 1900s.
June 14, 2020
Not sure how to feel about this. It's a very cool concept, and the art is very good. But I . . . struggled with the characters. I feel like there were far too many mean or just plain unreliable people, but they weren't very well developed or didn't have a strong enough motive to do what they did. Only one or two characters were sympathetic. Part of the problem was that it was quite short. I feel like much of the action happened very abruptly, in just a couple of panels, which didn't give me time to build up a feeling of tension, and then to be upset about it, because it would just move on.
Read
October 27, 2022The style & artwork of this graphic novel are beautifully done. I was a bit disappointed by the plot. I was expecting an exploration of the dynamic between two sisters existing as one & what it would look like to loose part of yourself. But it went in another direction.
November 22, 2022
THE PHANTOM TWIN by Lisa Brown was better than I expected. By its cover, I thought this graphic novel was going to be childish. It was not that at all. The book has themes such as circus life, oddities, coping with a new reality, and breaking out of the negative cycle. I enjoyed the story, but it was a bit choppy or disconnected at times. I enjoyed the author’s notes best.
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September 25, 2020
Jane and Isabel Peabody are conjoined twins who are sold by their parents to a carnival sideshow. Isabel is the more dominant of the twins and convinces Jane that they should be medically separated. But, Isabel dies during surgery. Jane is left with one arm and one leg since the other ones were shared with her sister. Now Jane has to make her own way in the world since she no longer has the sideshow appeal of being a conjoined twin. Jane is also left with a phantom twin...the spirit of Isabel remains attached to her. This was both charming and creepy (as all sideshow stories tend to be). It was a great little read that I was able to tackle in under an hour. If you are looking for a graphic novel to read during this spooky fall season, this one just might be perfect for you.
What to listen to while reading...
Siamese Twins by The Cure
The Carnival by Amanda Jenssen
A Cautionary Song by The Decemberists
Never Tear Us Apart by The National
Can't Take you With Me by Bahamas
How to Fight Loneliness by Wilco
What to listen to while reading...
Siamese Twins by The Cure
The Carnival by Amanda Jenssen
A Cautionary Song by The Decemberists
Never Tear Us Apart by The National
Can't Take you With Me by Bahamas
How to Fight Loneliness by Wilco
October 20, 2024
For a story about conjoined twins where one dies in a separation surgery and the surviving twin has to figure out life on her own...this was fine. Mostly predictable. The art was alright. Meh.
December 8, 2020
I was very uncomfortable reading this book -
If I had known from the beginning that the author would be writing about this subject, I probably would not have read it. The phrase, when you know better, you do better, comes to mind. Apparently, not to the author. In the Phantom Twin, the constant usage of outdated terminology never gets corrected. This book is ableist, fatphobic, and racist propaganda. There is NO redeeming point to this story. Why am I still reading a book calling people freaks in 2020? I'm happy the author was awed by the freak shows of past (as the end notes indicate), but does not start this story with any context to the very problematic pasts of these shows - kids and teens reading it now will have a seed planted, a seed of seeing "otherness" as a bad and freaky thing.
I suggest people watch the film "Code of the Freaks" that came out in 2020, and how the representation of disabled people in media has warped the mainstream to create this otherness to people that are just as human. Instead of this, I recommend reading Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the PinheadNobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead by Bill Griffith, about the exploitation and life of Schlitzie in side shows and cinema.
I will also try to include a link to the Disability Language Style Guide by the National Center on Disability and Journalism https://ncdj.org/style-guide/ A tool for journalists and other communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities.
If I had known from the beginning that the author would be writing about this subject, I probably would not have read it. The phrase, when you know better, you do better, comes to mind. Apparently, not to the author. In the Phantom Twin, the constant usage of outdated terminology never gets corrected. This book is ableist, fatphobic, and racist propaganda. There is NO redeeming point to this story. Why am I still reading a book calling people freaks in 2020? I'm happy the author was awed by the freak shows of past (as the end notes indicate), but does not start this story with any context to the very problematic pasts of these shows - kids and teens reading it now will have a seed planted, a seed of seeing "otherness" as a bad and freaky thing.
I suggest people watch the film "Code of the Freaks" that came out in 2020, and how the representation of disabled people in media has warped the mainstream to create this otherness to people that are just as human. Instead of this, I recommend reading Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the PinheadNobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Schlitzie the Pinhead by Bill Griffith, about the exploitation and life of Schlitzie in side shows and cinema.
I will also try to include a link to the Disability Language Style Guide by the National Center on Disability and Journalism https://ncdj.org/style-guide/ A tool for journalists and other communicators to figure out how to refer to people with disabilities.
April 12, 2022
Recently watched Nightmare Alley, so yay for carnivals, circuses, sideshows and the like. I also very much love Neil Gaiman, so his endorsement was a big draw. It's a good story, a little repetitive and uneven at times, but overall good. Bonus star for saying that Florida is "where the freaks retire" even though it's based on historical carnival workers retiring in Gibsonton, FL and it's sometimes called Gibtown. I appreciated the author's note at the end that gave a little history and perspective.
May 17, 2020
Hello Again,
It's been kind of a weird time (not just like the new weird with the virus) just a weird time where even when I can sleep in I am not (not for lack of trying, but something, most likely my internal clock, keeps waking me up). So during these few hours (when I am up before my husband and the cats and my responsibilities), I have been reading! I have been leaning towards picking up graphic novels because I can finish them in one sitting and usually in this weird amount of time I have before everything starts. One of the graphic novels I picked up during this time period was The Phantom Twin, a graphic novel ARC I was sent by the publisher (thank you so much for the opportunity to read this) which is out now!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Isabel and Jane are twins but just not any twins! They are conjoined twins who make their living working in a traveling carnival. This is there home and all they have really known. One day a doctor approaches the twins and tells them he can separate them and give them a normal life. One twin is very hesitant (knowing the possible risks) the other is excited at all of the possibilities that this could offer. Isabel and Jane go through with the surgery however, things do not go as planned and Jane passes away during the operation. Upon waking up and learning this Isabel must now learn how to live without her twin and the carnival (which is her family/home).
I really enjoyed my time with this graphic novel. I liked the art style (I honestly thought this graphic novel had a super unique style) and I enjoyed the story. I loved the final outcomes of this story (I saw some of them coming and others I definitely did not call but I am still super happy they happened). One other thing I really enjoyed about this graphic novel was the setting, not just the carnival setting (which was interesting to see) but also the town setting and the time period. Overall, I really enjoyed my morning with this graphic novel and want to give a big thank you to the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
It's been kind of a weird time (not just like the new weird with the virus) just a weird time where even when I can sleep in I am not (not for lack of trying, but something, most likely my internal clock, keeps waking me up). So during these few hours (when I am up before my husband and the cats and my responsibilities), I have been reading! I have been leaning towards picking up graphic novels because I can finish them in one sitting and usually in this weird amount of time I have before everything starts. One of the graphic novels I picked up during this time period was The Phantom Twin, a graphic novel ARC I was sent by the publisher (thank you so much for the opportunity to read this) which is out now!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Isabel and Jane are twins but just not any twins! They are conjoined twins who make their living working in a traveling carnival. This is there home and all they have really known. One day a doctor approaches the twins and tells them he can separate them and give them a normal life. One twin is very hesitant (knowing the possible risks) the other is excited at all of the possibilities that this could offer. Isabel and Jane go through with the surgery however, things do not go as planned and Jane passes away during the operation. Upon waking up and learning this Isabel must now learn how to live without her twin and the carnival (which is her family/home).
I really enjoyed my time with this graphic novel. I liked the art style (I honestly thought this graphic novel had a super unique style) and I enjoyed the story. I loved the final outcomes of this story (I saw some of them coming and others I definitely did not call but I am still super happy they happened). One other thing I really enjoyed about this graphic novel was the setting, not just the carnival setting (which was interesting to see) but also the town setting and the time period. Overall, I really enjoyed my morning with this graphic novel and want to give a big thank you to the publisher for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
April 23, 2023
It’s been a month of heavy news for me and I’ve been in a horrible reading slump. I have to say reading this book got me reading again. This was heartbreaking for the conjoined twins. When they get separated something happens to the other twin. It would be like losing a leg or an arm for sure. This was creepy as heck.
September 11, 2023
Isabel and Jane are conjoined twins who have been sold by their uncaring parents to an exploitative sideshow in a traveling carnival. They have established a found family with the other performers, but endure the indignities of being paraded in front of an audience and the daily challenges of their physical limitations. Jane, the more assertive of the two, insists upon an operation that will separate them, but then Isabel wakes up afterward as the only survivor. She has to endure not only the loss of her twin but has to get used to a new wooden arm and leg. Now she has to find her own way in life, without her sister or the carnival's relative safety. Jane haunts her, but after a few setbacks, Isabel finally finds a new path and love.
Lisa Brown, the author/illustrator, draws with a minimalistic cartoonish style that skews towards a young audience. I was dismayed that she draws horrible noses that several other artists also do- such as Noelle Stevenson, Fran Krause and Katie Skelly. Why are noses just scribbled on when in profile? This historical fiction story, based on carnivals and sideshows of yesteryear, was a sweet story if a bit light. (Actual review 3.5/5)
Lisa Brown, the author/illustrator, draws with a minimalistic cartoonish style that skews towards a young audience. I was dismayed that she draws horrible noses that several other artists also do- such as Noelle Stevenson, Fran Krause and Katie Skelly. Why are noses just scribbled on when in profile? This historical fiction story, based on carnivals and sideshows of yesteryear, was a sweet story if a bit light. (Actual review 3.5/5)
February 25, 2021
A very incomplete-feeling book about a freakshow-era Siamese Twin who loses her sister in a botched separation surgery, but who is haunted by her ghost.
This GN might pique the interest of a reader who would later go on to read about Violet and Daisy Hilton, freak shows, or other conjoined twins, but this portrayal seems gimmicky and could be interpreted as ableist. (Because OF COURSE the twins would want to get separated!) The author's note about the complicated history of freak shows concludes the book and shows that she recognizes the double edged sword that they were for the performers, but it didn't show through as much as I had hoped in the narrative. There's also next to no historical context in the body text or art.
Ultimately, this was a terrible book to read alongside Violet and Daisy, because the rich research and historical context provided in that nonfiction book made me approach this with more skepticism than I typically might.
Audience note: Contains some mild language (bitch, ass), physical threats against women, and innuendoes.
This GN might pique the interest of a reader who would later go on to read about Violet and Daisy Hilton, freak shows, or other conjoined twins, but this portrayal seems gimmicky and could be interpreted as ableist. (Because OF COURSE the twins would want to get separated!) The author's note about the complicated history of freak shows concludes the book and shows that she recognizes the double edged sword that they were for the performers, but it didn't show through as much as I had hoped in the narrative. There's also next to no historical context in the body text or art.
Ultimately, this was a terrible book to read alongside Violet and Daisy, because the rich research and historical context provided in that nonfiction book made me approach this with more skepticism than I typically might.
Audience note: Contains some mild language (bitch, ass), physical threats against women, and innuendoes.
July 15, 2020
Kind of mixed feelings. On one hand, I felt like Brown did a good job of painting a realistic picture of what early 20th century freak shows must have felt like for the performers. On one hand, a found family and sense of belonging they may not be able to find anywhere else. On the other, obvious exploitation. The performers themselves seem to have mixed feelings, and I think that's probably a fair portrayal. Isabel's feelings of loss and confusion and being adrift are also a fair portrayal. But I didn't actually like the majority of the characters, and there's a romance subplot that relies on nobody speaking to each other for no apparent reason, and I hate those.
September 1, 2020
The peculiar Americana of the "Freak Show" and the grisly, downtrodden era such traveling shows were popular is the setting of this YA graphic novel, but I'm always one for a circus setting (especially one contextualized with some history in the brief note in the back). This story is about self-hood, difference, and the slightly supernatural.
May 30, 2021
A very unusual coming of age story. The lives of people who lived in side shows is always heartbreaking to hear about, but the family dynamic that Isabel experiences is comforting. I appreciated that the only "magic" element in this story was Jane's presence, and everything else was true to life.
July 26, 2023
This fantastic graphic novel is about Siamese twin sisters who had an act in a "freak show". Set in what is similar to the 1920s, this story is heart-wrenching, and bittersweet.
September 9, 2020
Heartbreaking and captivating read...
The bond between the sisters were just too much to handle.
Super emotional and the illustrations of this story with the blue vibes fit in every well.
The bond between the sisters were just too much to handle.
Super emotional and the illustrations of this story with the blue vibes fit in every well.
December 3, 2020
This made me feel icky.
August 27, 2020
Isabel and Jane were identical twins that were born connected at the torso. Sold to the traveling freak show carnival owner by their parents, their new guardian forced them to become the “Siamese Twins” at his carnival. Everything changes when a surgeon trying to make a name for himself convinces Isabel and Jane to undergo surgery to separate them. The surgery goes wrong and Jane dies, leaving Isabel alone for the first time in her life. However, she quickly discovers that she’s not entirely alone because the late Jane’s ghost comes and goes as she pleases.
This graphic novel tells the sad tale of Isabel and Jane through Isabel’s perspective in the present as well as a series of flashbacks. Both Jane and Isabel are rather naive when it comes to trusting people, which sadly leads to Jane’s demise with the surgery. It also leads Isobel in some hot water later even though it is not entirely her fault. I think that their naivety is very accurate given their age, especially the part where they ignore the advice of older people.
The overall story is pretty sad and sheds a light on the harsh reality of how prejudicial people can be. Lisa Brown did an excellent job bringing the freak show carnival to life with a variety of characters that were there for different reasons. I like that Brown worked to show who these characters really were as people and had some of them talk about what brought them there.
While the story itself is sad, it does have a happy ending for some of the characters. It is a young adult novel that isn’t meant to bring its readers down and leave them there. While Jane couldn’t have a happy ending due to her passing, Isabel is able to discover how to live on her own and find happiness.
I also like that Brown provides some information on why she wrote the book, her initial fascination with freak shows throughout history, and provides a short list of nonfiction books that she recommends reading. I could tell the story had been well researched beforehand, so I was happy to see her touch on that in her author’s note as well as give a list of some of the books she used as sources in her research.
This review can also be found at Beachbum Bookworm where I am a guest book reviewer.
This graphic novel tells the sad tale of Isabel and Jane through Isabel’s perspective in the present as well as a series of flashbacks. Both Jane and Isabel are rather naive when it comes to trusting people, which sadly leads to Jane’s demise with the surgery. It also leads Isobel in some hot water later even though it is not entirely her fault. I think that their naivety is very accurate given their age, especially the part where they ignore the advice of older people.
The overall story is pretty sad and sheds a light on the harsh reality of how prejudicial people can be. Lisa Brown did an excellent job bringing the freak show carnival to life with a variety of characters that were there for different reasons. I like that Brown worked to show who these characters really were as people and had some of them talk about what brought them there.
While the story itself is sad, it does have a happy ending for some of the characters. It is a young adult novel that isn’t meant to bring its readers down and leave them there. While Jane couldn’t have a happy ending due to her passing, Isabel is able to discover how to live on her own and find happiness.
I also like that Brown provides some information on why she wrote the book, her initial fascination with freak shows throughout history, and provides a short list of nonfiction books that she recommends reading. I could tell the story had been well researched beforehand, so I was happy to see her touch on that in her author’s note as well as give a list of some of the books she used as sources in her research.
This review can also be found at Beachbum Bookworm where I am a guest book reviewer.
December 29, 2021
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*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
Isabel and Jane are conjoined twins, who perform in a travelling circus after being sold when they were three. They are approached by a doctor, claiming to be able to perform a surgery that will separate them. After the procedure, Isabel finds herself alone, her sister dead... but her presence still lingers.
I enjoyed the carnival setting, bright colours and art style. I didn't feel like there was enough backbone to the story to really connect with any of the characters, which was disappointing.
It was a very quick and easy read, and I had fun while it lasted, but I don't think it was anything memorable.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
Isabel and Jane are conjoined twins, who perform in a travelling circus after being sold when they were three. They are approached by a doctor, claiming to be able to perform a surgery that will separate them. After the procedure, Isabel finds herself alone, her sister dead... but her presence still lingers.
I enjoyed the carnival setting, bright colours and art style. I didn't feel like there was enough backbone to the story to really connect with any of the characters, which was disappointing.
It was a very quick and easy read, and I had fun while it lasted, but I don't think it was anything memorable.
April 13, 2025
Un libro delizioso! Illustrazioni eleganti accompagnano la tenera storia di Isabel e Jane, due gemelle siamesi cresciute in un Freak Show. L'intervento chirurgico non serve a separarle, ma renderà finalmente Isabel capace di ribellarsi e di prendere in mano le redini della propria vita.
Ispirandosi a bizzarre storie reali e mostrando una profonda sensibilità per le tematiche del voyeurismo e della disabilità, Lisa Brown ci consegna un'opera commovente e affascinante, che tiene incollati alle pagine.
Ottima la traduzione di Tiffany Vecchietti e magistrale l'edizione italiana di Rebelle. Splendido!
Ispirandosi a bizzarre storie reali e mostrando una profonda sensibilità per le tematiche del voyeurismo e della disabilità, Lisa Brown ci consegna un'opera commovente e affascinante, che tiene incollati alle pagine.
Ottima la traduzione di Tiffany Vecchietti e magistrale l'edizione italiana di Rebelle. Splendido!
August 27, 2025
A student brought this in to school for me to read; overall I thought it was interesting, but the story felt a little incomplete/rushed to me.
June 14, 2022
Wasn´t awful, but not reading it again.
June 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. It's about a set of conjoined twins who are part of a circus. They're convinced (or at least one of them is...) to separate. The operation ends up killing one of them. Then there's haunting, a newspaper exposé, and a small romance. It's an excellent YA read.
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