Authors of Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia Speak September 22 at the New York Public Library's Donnell Library Center

Reading and Discussion with Pamela Spiro Wagner and Dr. Carolyn Spiro

August 23, 2005 -- Identical twin sisters Pamela Spiro Wagner and Dr. Carolyn Spiro read and discuss their book Divided Minds: Twin Sisters and Their Journey Through Schizophrenia (St. Martin's Press, August 24) at The New York Public Library's Donnell Library Center on Thursday, September 22 at 6 p.m. The Donnell Library is located at 20 West 53 Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Admission to this program is free.

The Spiro sisters' dual memoir tells the siblings' story, from childhood to adulthood, of one sister's life with schizophrenia and the other sister's experience with the mental illness, including her path to becoming a psychiatrist. "This harrowing but arresting memoir - written in alternating voices by identical twins, now in their 50s - reveals how devastating schizophrenia is to both the victim and those who love her," stated Publishers Weekly in its starred review.

The sisters recently chronicled their compelling story for the "Lives" column in The New York Times Magazine, August 7th issue. Pamela Spiro Wagner is a writer and poet located in Wethersfield, Connecticut; among other awards, she received the 2002 BBC International Poetry Award. Carolyn S. Spiro, M.D. operates a private practice in Wilton, Connecticut.

About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library was created in 1895 with the consolidation of the private libraries of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox with the Samuel Jones Tilden Trust. The Library provides free and open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services. It comprises four research centers - the Humanities and Social Sciences Library; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the Science, Industry and Business Library - and 85 Branch Libraries in Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx. The New York Public Library serves some 13 million patrons who come through its doors annually and another 13 million users internationally, who access collections and services through the NYPL website, www.nypl.org . The Donnell Library Center houses The New York Public Library branch system's largest circulating collection of materials in languages other than English, films and videotapes, and materials for children and teenagers.

###

Contact:   Gayle Snible,  212.704.8600

gs:08.23.05:nypl002