Discuss The Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman.

Funded by the Fountain Hills Friends of the Library.

 Brooklyn, 1947: In the midst of a blizzard, in a two-family brownstone, two babies are born, minutes apart. The mothers are sisters by marriage: dutiful, quiet Rose, who wants nothing more than to please her difficult husband; and warm, generous Helen, the exhausted mother of four rambunctious boys who seem to need her less and less each day. Raising their families side by side, supporting one another, Rose and Helen share an impenetrable bond forged before and during that dramatic winter night.
When the storm passes, life seems to return to normal; but as the years progress, small cracks start to appear and the once deep friendship between the two women begins to unravel. No one knows why, and no one can stop it. One misguided choice; one moment of tragedy. Heartbreak wars with happiness and almost, but not quite, wins.

1. Consider the personalities of the two sisters-in-law, Helen and Rose. At what point after the birth of the babies do cracks begin to appear in their relationship?

2. Discuss the husband/brothers, Mort and Abe. How are they different, and how do their parenting styles differ? Is it only Mort's wishes that drive the plot?

3. Consider that fateful night, the night of the snowstorm and two births. What do you think of the decision that was made? Do you understand the motivation behind it? Could anyone have foreseen the consequences?

4. This book is very much about secrets and the lies that cover them up. Was there any point over the years when the secrets could have been laid bare, allowing the truth to emerge?

5. The story is told through shifting perspectives. What do the differing points of view bring to the reading experience? And why are only Judith and Natalie, of all the children, given voice in the novel?

6. Natalie tells Helen that although Helen couldn't save Teddy, "you did save me." What does she mean, and who else achieves redemption?

7. Whom do you identify with most closely in the novel? Does your loyalty shift as the story progresses?

8. Readers are in the position of knowing the secret from the onset. How does this knowledge affect your experience of reading The Two-Family House? What if readers had been kept in the dark like most of the characters—what difference would that make in how you read the novel?