For centuries
the birth of twins was a mystery of nature both feared and revered.
The birth of two identical children must have seemed very bizarre
and frightening before genetics became common knowledge. Since the
unusual is always feared, many thought twins shared the same soul,
and naturally could not be human; considered to be instruments of
the devil, they were both killed. In medieval times, the second born
twin was considered evil and was usually killed. Whether identical
or fraternal, twins do possess their own kind of magic. They share a
special bond, often communicating without speaking, or feeling one
another's physical pain. And as we now know, it is common for twins
who are separated at birth to wind up very similarly as adults.
If you think two heads are better than one, you'll love romances
featuring twins. Whether identical or fraternal, twins share a
special bond, and their emotions do run deep–an essential
element for romance! Twin romances are hilarious tributes to
misadventure, for twins sometimes deceive and impersonate each
other. Eventually (and much to their chagrin), they are always found
out! But despite the deceptions, true love always finds its course.
What's The Appeal?
For the quintessential twin romance,
look no further than Shakespeare's Twelfth Night! The story features
a set of twins (male and female) and just about all the hijinks
normally associated and beloved by readers who savor twin romances;
mistaken identity, one twin impersonating the other (and disguised
as a male too!), a special bond between two siblings that transcends
the average relationship, and best of all, despite the ensuing
chaos, two couples–not just one–are united in love.
Why
do readers love books that feature twins? It may simply be that they
get twice as much for the money! Just like the "Doublemint"
commercial, a reader is guaranteed double the pleasure and double
the fun!
The stories are hilariously funny "what-ifs." There is a
dramatic interplay between the twins, who appear to be mirror
images, but in reality are far from similar, and the reader is the
only one besides the pair that is aware of a charade. Since one twin
is consistently substituting for another, the reader has to keep
imagining what would have happened if the "right" twin was featured.
Then there is the delicious dichotomy of opposites which exists
in the twin romance. Often, one twin is good, the other evil. Or one
is innocent, the other experienced. Or even better–the world
believes one of these scenarios to be true, but the twins know
better. The reader must weave in and out of complicated plot
configurations to find the truth.
Inherent in all twin romances
is the opportunity for another chance. Because although usually only
one couple is featured, there is still always the other twin, whose
story needs a happy ending.
For the reader, the ultimate aspect
of the twin romance is the transference of love from sibling to
lover. As the twins have such deep feelings for each other, the
reader must believe that the love between the hero and heroine is
strong enough to separate the twins and bring them to an even higher
plateau of happiness with new partners.
-Kate Ryan
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