The Other

The Other by Thomas Tryon is a masterful novel of psychological horror set in a rural Connecticut town in the early 1930s. Narrator Niles Perry looks back from adulthood, recounting the summer he and his identical twin brother Holland spent at their family farm following their father’s death. Though physically identical, the twins develop eerily divergent personalities—Niles mild and sensitive, Holland bold and cruel.

As strange accidents and deaths haunt the household and community, Niles becomes increasingly convinced that Holland may be at the center of the sinister events. The brothers’ bond runs deeper than blood: they share a psychic connection practice called the “Game,” instilled by their grandmother Ada. As that connection worsens, Niles begins to lose himself, unsure whether Holland is real—or a shadow of his own psyche.

Tryon’s prose is atmospheric and understated, building dread through subtle detail rather than graphic horror. The novel’s slowly unfolding mystery explores themes of identity, inherited evil, and betrayal. Layers of illusion and unreliable memory culminate in a haunting revelation that reframes the entire narrative.

Praised as a landmark in American horror, The Other merges gothic sensibility with psychological depth. It examines childhood trauma, family secrets, and the darkness that can dwell within innocence itself. Perfect for readers who appreciate suspense, ambiguity, and slow-burn psychological tension.