Yesterday, Miley Cyrus tweeted that she was reading a book called Identical, by Ellen Hopkins. Miley wrote, “It is deff. in my top 3 favorite books of all time! 🙂 so disturbing but beautifully written.” With one little tweet about her summer read, several media sources are climbing all over Miley because of the book’s sexual and drug-related content. Here’s the thing though – I did a simple search of the author and plot of this one book, and I found some interesting information. Ellen Hopkins writes her books geared to young women, specifically teenage girls. Miley’s a teenage girl – no scandal there. The plot of Identical involves sexual abuse (by the twin characters’ father), cutting, drug usage and purging after every binge. It’s hardcore stuff, but that’s why books are fun. Miley should be applauded for doing her part to encourage her young fans to read. I’m so going to be Team Miley on this one. Here’s the plot of Identical:
Conventional wisdom holds that twins, especially identical twins, share a deeper connection to each other than siblings. This connection goes beyond mere empathy and verges on the metaphysical. Ellen Hopkins, in her latest teen novel, IDENTICAL, uses this idea as a starting point to explore a severely dysfunctional family whose twin daughters are in physical danger and emotional crisis.
Raeanne and Kaeleigh Gardella are the teenage daughters of two successful parents: dad Ray is a prominent judge and mom Kay is expected to win an upcoming senatorial election. The Gardella family is busy, with Kay mostly on the road campaigning and Ray working long hours. The girls have school to occupy them, but while Kaeleigh is involved in typical extracurricular activities, Raeanne spends most of her free time with her drug dealer, smoking pot, drinking and having sex. At home, both girls self-medicate, drinking from their father’s bottles and emptying his pill bottles. It soon becomes apparent why: ever since a tragic car accident years ago, Ray has been sexually abusing Kaeleigh.
The twins respond to the abuse, as well as their father’s alcoholism and their mother’s emotional abandonment, in different ways. One rebels and tries to find power in relationships with men while numbing herself with drugs and alcohol; the other tries to avoid or discourage her father with overeating and emotional passivity while also numbing herself with substances and finally cutting herself to control her own body and the pain she is in. On the outside they seem like an ideal family as long as they all keep up the charade. But several changes in their lives make it impossible to pretend any longer that all is okay in their home.
Their mother is away more and more, and while the girls each begin new relationships with young men, they find out, when their grandparents contact them after many years, the events that so damaged their father. Soon, everything is spiraling out of control for both young ladies and they turn increasingly to drugs and sex, cutting and overeating.
Finally, the tension is released with a frightening act and a surprising and astonishing realization. Friends new and old will be there to help pick up the pieces, but in the end, the twins have a steep and difficult road to recovery.
IDENTICAL is challenging both in style and subject matter. It is literary yet written in a real, relatable (though sometimes clichĂ©d) voice. The subject matter, and Hopkins’s handling of it, requires mature readership. The book is not without its flaws, and although the ending may be a tad far-fetched, the main point — about the damage wrought by abuse and secrets — is well-taken and important.
[From Teen Reads]
The book does sound pretty hardcore – and perfectly appropriate for a sixteen year old girl who enjoys a good book. Unlike the ridiculous pictures Miley’s director took of her posing suggestively on a chair, Miley reading a book doesn’t offend me in the least. I’m sure there will be those who claim it’s just another example of Miley’s “too much too soon”, but the only thing I have to complain about is that this is one of Miley’s top three favorite books. Someone needs to get this girl into some real literature. She can start mixing up Truman Capote with her trashy beach books, that’s fine with me. Do you think if I tweet Miley a reading list, she’ll listen?
Miley Cyrus is shown on 6/7/09. Credit: PRPhotos
Sure why not Miley? I mean every time I think of why a chickie like you is famous I cut myself and abuse drugs. *giggles* No Im kidding I dont cut stuff. Jesus HATES that.
Now I am anything but a MIley Cyrus fan – but the media obviously doesn’t know what teen fiction is like. Nearly all of the books geared for teens cover sex, alcohol and mental illness. I agree with CB – good for her for recommending books/encouraging teens to read.
I don’t always agree with the quality of what some people read, but reading anything IMHO is a good thing. I have been an avid reader forever, and I know I read loads of stuff that was “too old” or “disturbing” for me when I was a young teen. I recall reading “Lace” after someone had left it at the house, before the age of 14, and reading Pet Semetary not much older, from the library. I’m pretty sure I’m not TOO messed up. I also read plenty of classics, non-fiction, scientific stuff etc, in addition to the lighter stuff.
I can’t comment, one of my favorite books is Lolita. Pedophilia, why the subject matter grosses me out, it is well written and a classic (I was assigned it to read in my Upper Division American Lit class).
I’m not sure this book (Miley’s) should be recommended for girls that age because they are so impressionable, but hey. It’s better then telling your friends to have sex all the time.
Good for her. I didn’t even start high school yet when I was reading those tarty VC Andrews books.
My thirteenth birthday present to myself was a shopping spree at barnes and noble where I stocked up on bret easton ellis, the bell jar, she’s come undone and torture garden. Good on miley for actually reading, it seems a much more rare an activity among teens.
“The Bell Jar” at thirteen? Good LORD, vale! Sounds like you were the kind of teenager I would have loved to hang out with – but I only had class mates who played with Barbies and read Barbie books as long as possible.
I have to admit, though, that reading Henry Miller at age 9 was not exactly such a good idea (my parents left the book on a table – can’t do that with a bibliophile child in the house!).
Yea, I gotta be on Team Miley for this one too.
Can’t stand her, but it is true that most “teen-geared” books these days are like that.
Besides, some of the best books ever written deal with some heavyheavy stuff.
That sounds like a REALLY unpleasant book. I wouldn’t want to read it! And trust me, I’m no prude, it just sounds completely distasteful, no matter how well written it may be.
I’m not surprised that this is what the Princess of White Trash enjoys reading.
Hate to admit it, but I am impressed. She reads… and she reads books that others want to see banned. Good for her.
DD: I was totally thinking she needs “Flowers in the Attic”! Ha! “Identical” sounds more savory and salacious than well written, but whatevs. Like you guys, I’m happy she can read and is using that skill to read books.
@vale- I just finished reading Shes Come Undone like 2 days ago…very good! A little hard to believe at times but still an easy read. I just got excited when you mentioned it!
Good for Miley! Ive always loved to read, especially books like that. Thats what teenage girls are interested in. The days of The Babysitters Club & Sweet Valley High are over.
wait – people are knocking a teenage girl for reading a book? that is bullshit. when i was a teenager i was reading jane eyre, villette, little women, the scarlet letter, wuthering heights, etc. i went through an english gothic period at about 14, wearing shawls, reading by candlelight, putting my hair in a bun, and wishing my sisters and i were more like jo march & her sisters! i loved reading then and i love it now. reading is a wonderful escape and for teens reading novels (regardless of genre) can generate a lifelong enjoyment of reading. plus i think teens who like to read on their own do better in college. so yeah: team miley on this one.
That book sounds like something I would read. =/
Good for you Miley! As long as she’s reading and not crackhoring the town up like Lindsay, I have no problem with this.
Good Lord, the media has its collective head up its ass, doesn’t it? I seem to recall that even Judy Blume books had stories about *gasp* sex and masturbation and eating disorders. Get a frickin’ grip. Just because she’s reading about it, doesn’t mean she’s living it.
miley empathizes with “Kaeleigh” and her incestuous relationship with the father, Ray!
pretty obvious cry for help.
Hey, at least its not Twilight.
Easily known these media types never read a fukkin book outside of their classroom. Thanks to those who mentioned Virginia Andrews; I mean who didn’t start reading them at 11 or 12? My primary school class all read “Forever” when we were 11.
And my favourite author when I was Miley’s age was Paul Zindel – not as misanthropic as this book, but there was still abortions, schizophrenia, abuse and the works in there.
At the tender age of twelve, my grandmother gave me a copy of Fanny Hill to read. My grandmother was a really cool chick.
she can read? fantastic. who cares if the book is a bit scandalous? she is almost 17 and therefore can read whatever the heck she wants. it’s better than wasting her time taking scandalous pictures don’t ya think?
At least she reads! The girl is not an airhead, no matter how jealous you are of her.
I have seen a few interviews with her and she seems to have her head on straight. I think her parents are doing a good job.
So? Identical is MY favorite book of all time too. I’m just as old as Miley Cyrus is (give or take around 20 days). The book is meant for teenagers, and is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l-l-y written!
I’m not a fan of Miley Cyrus, but knowing that she loves Identical gives me MORE respect from her instead of thinking “Boo-hoo, she’s reading a book which everyone should know about!”
I’m team Miley on this one.
Everyone who thinks it’s a bad thing are just dumb.
You should be happy that a girl like her READS.
Am I the only one who finds it funny that the general feeling is “at least she can read.” As if we never knew she had it in her. Haha.
Teenage books deal with a lot of heavy issues. It’s a great way for curious minds to explore these notions safely and securely. Just like horror stories… if it gets too scary, you just close the book. Reading those books does not turn you into a werewolf, and reading these books will not turn you into a drug addict or a cutter.
Maybe if she keeps it up, she’ll eventually learn that “definitely” only has one “f.”
I don’t think that anyone should be attacking miley for reading these books, or judging the author for writing them. Unless you have actually read the books, you know nothing. I LOVE ellen hopkins. She writes really intense books that at times are hard to read but pull you in so easily. These books help you to get inside the heads of people that are dealing with stuff that as much as you want to call it trash, are real issues in our society. Her books Crank and Glass are based on her real experience with her daughter and her meth addiction. It’s such a unique style, free verse. She writes with such sincerity you can relate to the characters. These books aren’t promoting sex, drugs, abuse, cutting, or any other things you are trying to say it is. This book is meant to open your eyes, to better understand the very real problems in this world, especially with teenage girls, that few authors are willing to write about. So miley cyrus, you have excellent taste in books, don’t listen to what these gossip seeking losers have to say.
i love miley.
and it is a fabulous book!
just because she reads it doesnt mean she is like that!!!
it is a really interesting story line
jeez let the girl live a little shes nearly 18!