Title: The Weird Sisters
Author: Eleanor Brown
Genre: Contemporary fiction, literary fiction
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Source: ARC passed on to me by the gracious Vasilly
First line: We came home because we were failures.
Rose (Rosalind), Bean (Bianca), and Cordy (Cordelia) are the daughters of a renowned professor and lover of all things Shakespeare. They grew up in a college town, in a home where books were revered above all things, and where communication consisted of trading passages from the Bard. As adults, they couldn’t be more different from each other. When they all return to the family home in Barnwell, Ohio, to help care for their cancer-stricken mother, they are harboring secrets for their true reasons for returning. Rose isn’t sure she ever really left home, and doesn’t know if she has the courage to abandon comfortable roles and expectations. Bean has fled New York City – the place she once fled to – in disgrace, and needs to learn just who she is, who she wants to be. Cordy, home after flitting from one place to another for years, must discover that sometimes having roots is a good thing. And most of all, they will have to learn how to love and trust each other, in spite of their prickly past.
The story of The Weird Sisters is told in first person plural – “we.” For the first few pages, I kept trying to figure out which sister was narrating. And then I realized – they all were. This is the story of the sisters, and they tell it. Once I settled in to that understanding, this book came to life. It is such a unique way to tell a story, and it worked perfectly for Rose, Bean, and Cordy.
As I read, I had so many times I thought, “Oh, I’ll mention this in my review!” or “So-and-so (insert name of book blogger here) will LOVE this book!” or, simply, “I ADORE this book.” – followed by a happy sigh. The Shakespeare quotes. The love of books. The beautiful depiction of the choppy relationship that is sisterhood. The books! The gorgeous way Eleanor Brown puts words together. Shakespeare and Shakespeare and more Shakespeare. The descriptions of Cordy baking bread. The way the library is revered as an almost hallowed place. Did I mention the books?
Bottom line:
If you have sisters (I have three) – read this book.
If you love Shakespeare – read this book.
If you love books – read this book.
If you love words – read this book.
Twitter: bermudaonion
says:
I was hoping to have read this one already. It sounds like the perfect book for me.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathy – oh, I think you will love this one!
Twitter: DorteHJ
says:
I have heard about this one before, and I am quite tempted, but the Kindle version costs $ 16 for me so I think I´ll wait until I can find a used copy at a reasonable price.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Dorte – I hope you can get your hands on a copy soon.
I listened to The Weird Sisters on audio, which I enjoyed immensely!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Elisabeth – I bet it was great on audio!
Twitter: lakesidemusing
says:
3 out of 4 from the bottom line – guess I should read this book!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
JoAnn – definitely!
Twitter: youvegottaread
says:
I greatly enjoyed the audio of this one. And I loved the “we”. Have you read “The Fates Will Find Their Way”? Same narration and it is awesome. Amy Einhorn for President!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Sandy – I haven’t heard of The Fates Will …. before – but I’m going to see if the library has it.
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One of my favorites this year – I agree 100% with your review! I have two sisters…so the sister connection was perfect for me. Loved the writing. Loved it all
So glad you did as well!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Wendy – yes – I get so excited when I find a book that makes me feel this way!
Twitter: bookmagicdeb
says:
I really enjoyed this one!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Deb – so far, it seems to be universally enjoyed!
I noticed it will be my turn at the library for this soon. I had it out before, but didn’t get around to it..
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kelly – I think you will like it.
This book sounds great. I want to read it!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Mari – it is great.
This book has been on my list, but I still haven’t picked it up. I really should. I don’t have a sister, but the others fit perfectly.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Carol – I definitely don’t think you need to have sisters to love this one.
Twitter: Vasilly
says:
I’m glad to see that you enjoyed The Weird Sisters. It’s such a good book.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
V – yes, it is – thanks again for sending it to me!
I have 8 sisters. I need to read this book!
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Kathleen- yes, you do!
Twitter: MargReads
says:
I feel as though I have been waiting forever for this book to come in from the library! I think I am number 2 on the waiting list so hopefully will get it soon.
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Marg – I hope you don’t have to wait too much longer!
I love books and Shakespeare. Does it count if I’ve always wanted a sister? This one is already on my wish list
Twitter: booksandmovies
says:
Stacy – it totally counts!
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