Ruby and Me
After That First Paragraph, I Had to Read It!
I Couldn't Let Go Until the Story Was Told
However, one day while I was visiting I saw it lying there on the table, like a siren drawing me in, and picked it up. "What harm could that do"? I thought.
Well, I started this with that first paragraph because I want you to read it also, and frankly, I don't see how you could not.
This is the story of Rose and Ruby Darlen, craniopagus conjoint twins. Beautifully written it talks about their joys and struggles. Their decision, frankly, to be happy.
There is more than great writing here though. Lansens also did important research that brought authenticity to these characters.
Although Rose and Ruby are connected at the temple, they are two very different people. One is 'bookish' and the other is 'televisionish'. But we love them both as they love each other.
We learn about the trials. I have had some boring jobs in my youth. I hated going. However, I learned that were I a conjoint twin I would have not only have had to go to my boring job, but also to my sister's boring job. There were no complaints, it was just life.
They make the decision to embrace life and every thing it has to offer them.
It is also the story of Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash the childless couple who gave a home and tons of love to the infants that no one else wanted, raising them to a responsible adulthood before passing and leaving them alone, together.
I loved the story of the romance that was the Darlen's; a story that gives insight into how these two had the strength for the job.
We learn about Uncle Stash's immigration to the United States and what he left behind in the old country.
There is so much more in this story of the best of humanity, along with some of humanity's shame. There are several subplots that are all woven seamlessly into Rose and Ruby's life.
Do yourself a favor. Get this book, find a quiet place and dive in.
Lori Lansens' Story
from Screenwriter to Novelist Extraordinaire
Lori Lansens grew up in Canada and is currently living with her husband, son and daughter in California.She started her career as a busy screenwriter with Wolf Girl as one of her credits.
Her first novel was Rush Home Road. It also received critical acclaim.
Here Lori Lansens Speak About Her Book
Don't Miss:
Lori Lansens' interview with the Hatchette Book Group with more insight into how these characters came to life.
The Artist's Own Words
- In Lori Lansens' Words
- "As a novelist, I'm frequently asked where I get my ideas. The question is a challenge for me because I don't really get ideas. I get characters. I have the odd sense there's a world beyond this one where my fictional characters reside, going about their dramatically rich lives until it's time for me to write their stories. When it's time (such as determined by them - not me), I invite the characters, though they sometimes come unbidden, to step through the curtain and sit with me at the desk. "Reveal yourself," I instruct, while my fingers beat a rhythm on the keyboard."
Click link and learn more about Lori Lansens' how Ruby and Rose came to be.
Margo's Library
Get a cool drink and put up your feet.Conversation Encouraged and stars always welcome!
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"A" is for "Arrowsmith"
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I began this journey as a lens master on June 21, 2008. I started with the story of how my parents began their first small business. That first lens reached a top rank of 188 overall and 14 in business, and then started back down, getting as low as...
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The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
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I have read a lot of Stephen King in my life, and have enjoyed most of it, I like a good scare. But this one is different. The story, the edge of your chair kind of hold it got on me were the same, what I had come to expect from King... But this is...
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The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
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Lily Owens is the daughter of a brutal father and a mysteriously deceased mother. Her only solace is the black woman, Rosaleen who acts as her mother stand in. Rosaleen was hired by Lily's father after her mother's death. The story takes place in Mo...
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The Feast of All Saints by Anne Rice
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Anne Rice is famous for some of the most intriguing and complicated Vampire and Witch sagas in American literature as well as completely unique erotic novels. These characters are written in sagas that evolve over volumes that take the characters an...
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Mabel Stark: Tiger Whisperer
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And she first did it before women even had the right to vote. Her life was defined by her passion for her tigers, her unsurpassed talent with them and her love for only one man, one of her five husbands, but the one who she loved almost as much as Ra...
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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
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And I have always gravitated towards the literature that tells well known stories from the view point of other characters, often lesser characters. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant tells the story of Joseph and the Colored Coat through the eyes of his...
Have You Read This Wonderful Story?
Please share your comments about the book and the lens. Stars welcome!
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Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 Nov 5, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
- Great lens! 5*fav The book belongs on my "to read" list, for sure!
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- OhMe OhMe Nov 5, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
- I just ordered so you did a great selling job. Your lens was very interesting and I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks.
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The New Library
Never Again Be Without the Book You Want
Kindle: Amazon's Original Wireless Reading Device (1st generation)
Amazon Price: (as of 01/01/2010)
"I'd live a thousand lives as me, to be loved so exponentially."
Lori Lansen's Novels
The Girls: A Novel
Amazon Price: $10.07 (as of 01/01/2010)
Rush Home Road: A Novel
Amazon Price: $11.89 (as of 01/01/2010)
Girls
Amazon Price: $25.80 (as of 01/01/2010)
Biography - Lansens, Lori (1962-): An article from: Contemporary Authors Online
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 01/01/2010)
"The Girls" nominated for the 2007 Orange Broadband Literary prize
- Winner of the Orange Broadlands Literary Prize
- The long list of fine novels nominated the same year that the Girlswon this prestigious award.
- About the Orange Broadlands Prize
- Wikipedia on The Orange Broadlands Prize
Feed Your Cells Pure Food
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byAbout Margo Arrowsmith
Lensmaster Margo_Arrowsmith has been a member since June 21 2008, has rated 2,018 lenses, favorited 121, and has created 129 lenses from scratch. Margo Arrowsmith donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "Hooters Is Not a Family Restaurant". See all my lenses
My Bio
For Arrowsmith Printing 9/22/08
I was born into a small business, I believe that small business and entrepreneurs are the backbone of America and what has made us great. They are what made us great and will save us in these unsure times. I have never wanted to have a great job. Well, better a great one, than a boring dead end one, and I have had both. But I have never really wanted a job at all.
Don't get me wrong, I am a hard worker. I have worked a full-time job, a part time job and a private practice all at the same time for a lot of years in my past. It isn't the work, its the working for someone else. Never wanted to do that, and I don't understand those who want to do that.
When I was six months old my parents bought their first small town weekly newspaper in Iowa. This was back in the day, back when small town newspapers were not just advertising sheets. Perhaps there are still some of them that are real, I hope so.
So I came by this perverse nature naturally. My path to self employment has been different than theirs, but it has always been my path, my direction.
Growing up in Iowa, in the fifties, I also grew up politically conservative. By the time I was 30 I was radically left. Today? I am proudly liberal and what that means will be clearer as we progress.
However, I have had conflicts about 'taking advantage of people'. I now know that employing people is not automatically taking advantage of them, but it took a while for me to learn that nothing is intrinsically good or bad. Well, almost nothing.
I have educated myself in business, I have a small business and I have used EFT and other energy clearing methods to help me clarify the old conflicts and move forward.
My mission here is to provide a forum for people who want to work independently through one person businesses or through employing others and for whom the betterment of human kind is an important value. My lenses are about offering good products, teaching people about betting their lives, and using the money they make for their pleasure and the benefit of others.
That is how I see business and if you have a similar vision I invite you to my blog www.creatingbusinessenergy.com
Margo Arrowsmith
Raleigh, North Carolina
Mother and Grandmother
Clinincal Social Worker, Coach and Internet Marketer
Interfaith Contemplative Minister
Student of life, business, the human spirit that motivates us to be our best in all circumstances.
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by Margo_Arrowsmith
For Arrowsmith Printing 9/22/08
I was born into a small business, I believe that small business and entrepreneurs are the backbone of America and w... (more)
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