TWO SISTERS: A Novel in the Form of a Memoir

by Gore Vidal ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 6, 1970

Perhaps this can be the only possible world left after the satirical burlesque of Hollywood mummery and pop sex, Myra Breckinridge (1968). This time Vidal advertises himself like Mailer in Vidal's endemic battlefield--the literary scene and media--via this novel in the form of a memoir. Myra's seminal issue is geminal; Vidal explores art, life and letters through the vagaries of a set of twins, Eric and Erica, at the tip-top of nubility and beauty in the 1940's. And lo, Vidal (sure it's himself as fictional catalyst) just might have fathered a child by Erica, until he learns that Eric/Erica have posted to incestuous sheets. Two diaries, Vidal's and the late Eric's, record Eric's Hollywood clays of yester-year, and revolve around their reciprocal relationship (always on the delicious brink). Eric's play (a drag) about ancient blood-lust-immortality themes is delivered in full, and there are some engaging originals--a cinema impresario and a female ""collosa of literature,"" bed partner of most of the great but no Nin-ny she. And as Vidal pursues his peers, there is much broad parody: "". . . for violence is now the order of the day as we produce our crude artifacts. . . "" An outre mix of over-extended cleverness, but there's something here for all the Vidal partisans.

Pub Date: July 6, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION