Division 

Author: Karen A. Wyle

In her unique combination of surreal reality with a twist of scientific fantasy, Wyle thrusts her themes of family relationships, morality and choice into another twister of reading fascination.  Division, the story of two twin boys, Johnny and Gordon, united in one body winds its way into the labyrinth of the existential:  what does it cost to pursue our dreams of individuality, and how much do we owe to ourselves versus our loved ones?  Since Johnny wants to be his own whole person and Gordon wants only to stay in their combined body, Division represents a novel of frustration, scientific cloning, and two brothers who want different things.

Is it possible for both of them to survive?

With a devoted family and a special friend, Dodi, Johnny and Gordon cannot exist without each other.  Two heads in one large body keep them together.  Gordon, the patient, methodical, conscientious twin would have it no other way.  Dodi accepts and loves the twins as they are – and plans to marry them.  When Johnny realizes that he has an opportunity to transplant his brain into a cloned human body, he makes his decision:  he has always wanted to be free of their freakishness and their inability to live as fully functioning beings, and they are now teenagers.  Johnny wins when the case goes to court, and divides not only himself and his brother, but his mom, and stepdad, Frank.  Gordon chooses to stay behind in the same body, with a brainless head flopping where Johnny’s used to reside.

As Wyle develops her novel, she overcomes judgment and allows her characters to make their own endings.  The conclusion of the novel brings Gordon, Dodi and Johnny back together again, on their strange and brutally fascinating journey.  Johnny and Gordon survive both as separate individuals rebuilding their inseparable bonds of friendship and love.

Alluring, different, highly creative, Wyle demands our attention – her pages rock the cradle of what humanity means to each of us.

Well written, well read.  An author to watch.

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

Overall: 4

Review by Broad “A” – Ava

We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own

Division is available on Amazon.com and booksellers nationwide