Separated at Birth: IDENTICAL STRANGERS
[Book trailer directed by Anthony Orkin]
When I hadn't seen my friend Paula Bernstein in a while, I wondered what she'd been up to. We were neighbors in Brooklyn, she was a reporter for Variety and I figured she was busy with her first daughter. I ran into her in Park Slope a couple of years ago and go, "So, Paula, what's been going on?"
She had the most faraway look on her face. "You're not going to believe this," she says. "I remember you I haven't told many people this yet, but I remember you telling me your mom is an identical twin..I found out I have an identical twin sister, and we were separated at birth. She contacted me through the adoption agency and we've met. It's just -- incredible."
As in a movie, or a fairy tale - a rather dark one - Paula and identical twin, Elyse Schein, have gotten to know each other (this is the happy part) and explored the twisted circumstances of their separation. Together, they've written an extraordinary and moving memoir of sisterhood, blood and emotional ties called called IDENTICAL STRANGERS.
What makes this book more than just your ordinary, magical, as seen on Oprah type tale of long lost siblings reunited is that Paula and Elyse (and many other tri-State area twins they found) were part of a secret and highly unorthodox study of twins intentionally separated at birth. Can I tell you how messed up and callous this study was? You've got to read this book.
Comments
Hi Justine,
Thanks so much for the kind words about the book.
I hope to see you soon!
Paula
Posted by: Paula Bernstein | August 27, 2007 07:38 PM
thanks for the GREAT post! Very useful...
Posted by: Whatever-ishere | November 21, 2007 10:37 AM
Hi there paula & elyse
when i saw your story on tv i was so amazed that you both were blesssed to be re-connected again after all these years.
i too am a "identical" twin girl 35 born &vraised in calif & recently moved to oregon & my twin was devasted i could not imagine being seperated by birth as we are only 10 hrs apart & it was the hardest choice i made but its not permanent so good luck on your journey together & may you both find everthing you need
god bless you both !!!
candace hall
(petaluma,calif)
Posted by: candace hall | January 3, 2008 03:19 PM
Hi there paula & elyse
when i saw your story on tv i was so amazed that you both were blesssed to be re-connected again after all these years.
i too am a "identical" twin girl 35 born &vraised in calif & recently moved to oregon & my twin was devasted i could not imagine being seperated by birth as we are only 10 hrs apart & it was the hardest choice i made but its not permanent so good luck on your journey together & may you both find everthing you need
god bless you both !!!
candace hall
(petaluma,calif)
Posted by: candace hall | January 3, 2008 03:19 PM