Top 5 books about twins, chosen by LV Matthews

The Twins author LV Matthews picks her top five other books that feature twin characters.

1. True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

The truth about a missing university student is brought to light in this unique novel written in the style of a true-crime documentary. It completely ripped up the rule book for me – it’s so smart, dark and mischievous, and twins feature in it. Sold!

2. A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin

Cersei and Jaime Lannister are not only beautiful, wicked twins, but they are also insanely rich and involved with each other sexually, and if that isn’t a combination complex enough to turn your head, I don’t know what is.

3. White Teeth by Zadie Smith

This book raises so many questions within multicultural communities of racism and faith, identity and destiny. Smith’s use of twins Millat and Magid explores all of these issues with the razor-sharp observation she’s now so famous for.

4. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

O’Farrell truly gives the twin-swapping trope a makeover with her reimagining of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet’s death. The novel is a lyrical, mystical and heartbreaking masterpiece. Reader, I cried and it was real, ugly crying too, but totally worth it. 

5. Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare 

Unlike my other choices, Twelfth Night uses twins to highlight the comical results and not the darker, tragic ones, of mistaken identity. Shakespeare is the master of dramatic irony (and let’s be honest, excellent drag scenes).

The Twins by LV Matthews is out now. You can buy it from The Big Issue shop on Bookshop.org, which helps to support The Big Issue and independent bookshops.

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