The OtherThe Other
Score Classic
What it's about
Holland and Niles Perry are identical thirteen-year-old twins, close enough almost to read each other's thoughts, but very different: Holland is bold and mischievous, Niles kind and eager to please. One summer, as the family gathers at its New England farm after their father's death, a series of terrible accidents begins.
Why it's worth reading
It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1971. It's a classic of psychological horror with a famous twist.
You'll love it if you liked
Rosemary's Baby
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
The Haunting of Hill HouseGood to know
Avoid spoilers; the twist is the point. It's eerie rather than gory.
By the numbers
- Readers61 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller39 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #33 of the 86 horror books we rank
- #440 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1510 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark, Gripping
If you like this, read next
The Stand
It
The Shining
Different Seasons
Misery
The Picture of Dorian GrayExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Other worth reading?
Yes. It was one of the ten best-selling books of 1971. It ranks #1,510 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Other about?
Holland and Niles Perry are identical thirteen-year-old twins, close enough almost to read each other's thoughts, but very different: Holland is bold and mischievous, Niles kind and eager to please. One summer, as the family gathers at its New England farm after their father's death, a series of terrible accidents begins.
How long does it take to read The Other?
About 7 hours (272 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Other?
If you liked it, try Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin, We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson or The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.