My Soul Twin

by Nino Haratischvili, translated by Charlotte Collins

Scribe, 320pp, £16.99 My Soul Twin is a love story about the forbidden desire between two adoptive siblings. The main character, Stella, lives in Hamburg with her husband Mark and her son, Theo, but her life is turned upside down when her long lost lover and childhood friend Ivo returns. The story follows Stella’s tumultuous fight against her resurfaced feelings for Ivo and the guilt that accompanies it, as well as memories of a dark secret in their past. Her stubborn desire to be with Ivo at the expense of others’ feelings means she’s not always a likable character, and although the writing is engaging enough, the story moves along quite slowly at times.

Miriam Kuepper