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I Know This Much Is True
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I Know This Much Is True
Author: Wally Lamb

Book Information
Publisher: ReganBooks
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780061097645 - ISBN-10: 0061097640
Publication Date: 11/25/2003
Pages: 912


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette (Abridged), Hardcover

Book Description:
With his stunning debut novel, She's Come Undone, Wally Lamb won the adulation of critics and readers with his mesmerizing tale of one woman's painful yet triumphant journey of self-discovery. Now, this brilliantly talented writer returns with I Know This Much Is True, a heartbreaking and poignant multigenerational saga of the reproductive bonds of destruction and the powerful force of forgiveness. A masterpiece that breathtakingly tells a story of alienation and connection, power and abuse, devastation and renewal -- this novel is a contemporary retelling of an ancient Hindu myth. A proud king must confront his demons to achieve salvation. Change yourself, the myth instructs, and you will inhabit a renovated world.

Dominick Birdsey's life is spiraling out of control -- his identical twin is confined to a maximum-security mental hospital, and vast family secrets haunt him. Lamb mixes drama with social commentary, creates a huge gallery of characters, and spins multiple plots.

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While I Was GoneWhat Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary DayBlack and BlueShe's Come Undone


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Top Member Book Reviews

Tracy M. (readingfan) wrote on 3/25/2008...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was one of the best books I've ever read. There are so many characters and I thought that he tied them together so well. This is a really good read...hard to put down.

Mary B. (mamabookbear) wrote on 10/19/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

One of my favorite books. It grabs you in the frst chapter and keeps you wrapped up until the end.

Anny P. (wolfnme) wrote on 5/7/2006...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Dominick Birdsey learns about his family and himself in I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE, Wally Lamb's epic novel that centers on two men, identical twins, one of whom is mentally ill.

A whopping 897 pages (the trade paper back version), this book goes into great detail the life story of Dominick Birdsey, his paranoid schizoid brother Thomas, their timid mother and their grandfather who started his life in Italy.

The opening chapter takes us to the public library and Thomas has just performed self-mutilation: he has chopped off his hand in response to the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield). And Dominick is there to rescue Thomas, as he's done their entire life. Thomas is taken to a psychiatric hospital for close observation, but in the mean time, Dominick ends up meeting with the psychiatrists, who help Dominick deal with issues he has with his brother, and soon a whole slew of issues comes rolling off of his tongue. It's an uphill battle, but through the help of the psychiatrists and his grandfather's journal, Dominick learns to deal with his anger and his frustrations over his life, and he comes to terms with a lot of things that he felt resentment over in the past.

There is not enough I can say about this book. It was quite the novel, with so much detail to the life stories of these people, covering three generations from Italy to America. Yet it all helped to tell Dominick's story. It surely was not a light read, but despite the huge volume, I was able to finish this book in less than two weeks. It is fast paced and there's never a dull moment.

Carrie E. (cae3575) wrote on 11/3/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I really enjoyed this book!! I couldn't put it down once I started reading it.

Mary Neal M. wrote on 2/15/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I enjoyed this book by Wally Lamb, even though it was incredibly sad. Sometimes you just need a good book to wallow in. This is one of those.

Maggie C. (skywaywaver) wrote on 7/9/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

doesn't even come close to his first book; i was upset i spent the $ on hardcover

Joelle T. wrote on 6/16/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This is on "Oprah's Book Club" The inside says this: "On the afternoon of October 12, 1990 my twin brother Thomas entered the Three Rivers, Connecticut Public Library, retreated to one of the rear study carrels, and prayed to God the sacrifice he was about ot commit would be deemed acceptable." Good book, kept my attention the whole time.

Richelle M. wrote on 6/4/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Oprahs book club pick. Very in depth book, but it wasn't my favorite. I do enjoy Wally Lamb's other books. Many people have reccommended this book and that's why I read it. It's good, just a little depressing.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Tamara P. wrote on 2/6/2009...


This is an incredible book - well written, mulit-dimensional characters, and a real heartbreaker. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!

Amy S. wrote on 8/9/2008...


Excellent book. Very good story.

Amy H. wrote on 6/17/2007...


Wonderful and interesting story. Very easy read.

Eileen B. wrote on 4/7/2007...


The narrative explores the theme of sibling responsibility, depicting the moral and emotional conundrum of an identical twin whose love for his afflicted brother is mixed with resentment, bitterness and guilt.

Rebekah P. (fuzzkit) wrote on 3/15/2007...


Enjoyable story full of heartache and thought.

Linda M. wrote on 2/13/2007...


Wally Lamb is an excellent writer. In this book he takes us into the lives of twin brothers. Thomas is the gentler one., the one who develops emotional problems. Dominick is stronger and has to take on the role as the protector. Mr. Lamb keeps you reading with a sincere desire to discover the outcome of the lives of these men.

Tish O. (tish) - NJ wrote on 10/6/2006...


this long drawn out book, is well worth the time.

Kit T. wrote on 9/4/2006...


This is one of those books you "live." I read too fast and was bereft when finished. A good read.

Barbara B. (littleoldlady) wrote on 3/25/2006...


This is a deep, dense, thick book with a rich, slowly revealed story. The tale of twin brothers - one suffering mental illness, the other feeling the "guilt" of being normal. A study of family and its influences on your life - what can be controlled, dealt with, and what makes you grow. Fascinating, moving, and powerful.

Paula K. (pking) wrote on 3/25/2006...


I LOVED "she's come undone" & hoped for much the same in this...I just couldn't get into it, but hey, taht's just me I guess....


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