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66 pages 2 hours read

Wally Lamb

I Know This Much Is True

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb follows the lives of twins Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in Three Rivers, Connecticut. Thomas suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and, after a public self-harm incident, is institutionalized. Dominick, coping with his own grief and difficult relationships, attempts to help his brother by working with a compassionate psychologist and uncovering family history through his grandfather's autobiography.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb delves deeply into complex family dynamics and mental health struggles, garnering praise for its rich character development and emotional depth. However, the novel's length and sometimes slow pacing may deter some readers. Despite these drawbacks, its compelling storytelling and profound themes make it a notable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read I Know This Much Is True?

Fans of emotionally gripping, character-driven stories with deep psychological and familial themes will relish I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb. Similar in scope and tone to Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections and Pat Conroy's The Prince of Tides, this novel appeals to readers who appreciate intricate narratives about personal struggle and redemption.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years