I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1998). Summary of the book.

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I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb (1998)

Overview

I Know This Much is True is a 1998 novel by Wally Lamb. It tells the story of Dominick Birdsey, a middle-aged man living in Three Rivers, Connecticut. Dominick is struggling to care for his identical twin brother Thomas, who is schizophrenic and has been institutionalized. As Dominick attempts to come to terms with his own personal issues, he discovers a family history of mental illness and secrets, and must come to terms with his own identity.

The novel’s title is taken from the John Lennon song I Know (I Know) This Much Is True, which is featured prominently in the book. It has been adapted into a miniseries, starring Mark Ruffalo as Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, which premiered on HBO in June 2020.

Plot

The novel follows the story of Dominick Birdsey, a middle-aged man living in Three Rivers, Connecticut. He has an identical twin brother, Thomas, who is schizophrenic and has been institutionalized. Dominick is struggling to come to terms with his own personal issues, and is also struggling to care for Thomas, who is unable to care for himself. As he attempts to reconcile his relationship with Thomas, Dominick also discovers a family history of mental illness and secrets.

The novel follows Dominick’s struggles to come to terms with his own identity, and the various people in his life who help him do this. These include his mother, who has been the victim of domestic abuse, his ex-wife Dessa, and his old friend Leo, who has been living with HIV for years. As Dominick attempts to make sense of his life, he discovers a long-lost family mystery that could potentially help Thomas.

Throughout the novel, Dominick’s life is intertwined with Thomas’s, as Dominick attempts to make sense of his life in the shadow of his twin. As Dominick struggles to find his own path, he is also struggling to protect Thomas from the world and from himself. At the end of the novel, Dominick is able to come to terms with his identity and his relationship with Thomas.

Themes

I Know This Much is True examines a variety of themes, including family, identity, mental illness, and forgiveness. The novel explores the effects of mental illness on both the person suffering from it and their loved ones, and examines how family members can come to terms with their own identities in the face of mental illness. The novel also examines how difficult it is to forgive someone who has hurt you, and how understanding and acceptance can be key to healing.

The novel also examines the power of love and how it can help us to overcome even the most difficult of situations. It examines how love is a powerful force that can help us to forgive and to understand those around us. In the novel, Dominick is able to come to terms with his own identity and his relationship with Thomas, thanks to the power of love.

Interesting facts

  • I Know This Much is True was published in 1998, and was an instant bestseller, reaching number one on the New York Times Bestseller list.
  • The novel has been translated into multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and German.
  • The novel was adapted into a miniseries starring Mark Ruffalo, which premiered on HBO in June 2020.
  • The novel’s title is taken from the John Lennon song I Know (I Know) This Much Is True.
  • The novel was awarded the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction in 1998.

FAQs

  • What is the book I Know This Much is True about?

    The book is about Dominick Birdsey, a middle-aged man living in Three Rivers, Connecticut. He is struggling to come to terms with his own personal issues, and is also struggling to care for his identical twin brother Thomas, who is schizophrenic and has been institutionalized. Throughout the novel, Dominick discovers a family history of mental illness and secrets, and must come to terms with his own identity.

  • Who wrote I Know This Much is True?

    I Know This Much is True was written by Wally Lamb, and was first published in 1998.

  • Has I Know This Much is True been adapted into a movie?

    Yes, I Know This Much is True was adapted into a miniseries starring Mark Ruffalo, which premiered on HBO in June 2020.

  • What awards has I Know This Much is True won?

    I Know This Much is True won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction in 1998.

Conclusion

I Know This Much is True is a powerful and moving novel about family, identity, mental illness, and forgiveness. The novel follows the story of Dominick Birdsey, a middle-aged man struggling to come to terms with his own personal issues, as well as his identical twin brother Thomas, who is schizophrenic. As Dominick discovers a family history of mental illness and secrets, he must come to terms with his own identity. The novel has been adapted into a miniseries, and has won multiple awards.

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