Product guide

The Grammarians: A Novel — Kindle Edition

Kindle Edition: The Grammarians is Cathleen Schine’s comic novel about identical twins whose shared fascination with words gives way to rivalry. Set in 1980s Manhattan, it follows a grammar columnist and a poet as they clash over language and a family dictionary.

At a glance

Centers on Laurel and Daphne Wolfe, identical twins whose childhood bond is shaped by a shared love of words.
Their opposing approaches to language deepen their adult rivalry, which culminates in a dispute over a family dictionary.
Blends sibling relationships and literary humor with questions about standard English and how language changes.

Price

$2.99Save 83%

Reference price: ~~$17.99~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The subject of language is woven into a family story, making it a natural fit for readers interested in words and grammar.
The premise pairs twin rivalry with contrasting professional perspectives, one a copy editor and the other a poet.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Sarah Crichton Books
Publication date	September 3, 2019
Language	English
Print length	273 pages
ISBN-13	978-0374712198

Kindle edition
File size	5.9 MB
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy comic literary fiction about sibling relationships and family tension.
Word enthusiasts interested in how people argue over rules and change in language.

Less suited to

Readers looking primarily for a plot-driven story, since customer feedback is mixed on the plot.
Readers who need consistently appealing characters, as customer feedback on character development is divided.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.1 / 5 · 1,707 ratings

5 stars41%41%
4 stars35%35%
3 stars18%18%
2 stars5%5%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback often describes the book as engaging and humorous, with particular appreciation for its language focus and emotional portrayal of family relationships. Reactions are mixed on plot and character development, with some finding the story slight or the characters unappealing. That divide matters for readers drawn to the premise: the language and twin relationship are central, but may not satisfy those seeking a strong plot or universally likable characters.

Positive themes

Customers describe the book as engaging and humorous.
Feedback praises its exploration of language and its emotional treatment of family relationships.

Mixed feedback

Reactions to the plot vary, including criticism that it feels absent.
Character responses vary, with some readers enjoying the characters and others finding them uninteresting or annoying.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Grammarians about?

The novel follows identical twins Laurel and Daphne Wolfe, whose shared fascination with language turns into a conflict as their adult lives and views of English diverge.

Is this a plot-focused novel?

Customer feedback is mixed on the plot. Some describe it as lovely, while others say it has little plot, so readers seeking a strongly event-driven story may want to keep that in mind.

What Kindle reading features are listed?

The listing specifies screen reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip.