The Heavenly Twins

The Heavenly Twins is a novel by English feminist writer Sarah Grand, first published in 1893. The book follows the lives of three upper-class, intelligent young women: Evadne Frayling, Angelica Hamilton-Wells (one of the mischievous Heavenly Twins of the novel’s title, along with her brother Theodore, nicknamed Diavolo), and Edith Beale. From childhood through adulthood, they navigate courtship and marriage to older men.

Evadne and Edith suffer from dysfunctional marriages, contrasting with Angelica's portrayal of new womanhood. Edith serves as a foil to the two New Women, embodying traditional womanhood. The three heroines undergo self-development, from innocence to the harsh realities of adult life.

Divided into six books, the novel intertwines various narrative threads and social issues, including Evadne's upbringing and married life, and her mental health decline due to marital strife. A subplot is then introduced about the mischievous twins, that narrates the relationship between a Tenor and Angelica, who has disguised herself as a boy to escape the boredom of married life.

The story then explores Angelica's life after the Tenor's death, and then offers a first-person account from Dr. Galbraith (Evadne's husband), detailing his connection with Evadne.