Rated of 5
by Cheryl W. (Faribault, Mn) The Sisters
A great many issues and events are included in Nancy Jensen's The Sisters — sexual abuse, family loss and sibling betrayal, love lost, the lives of women throughout the 20th century, politics and war; even detailed pages and pages about photography and jewelry/armor-making (symbolic or not, it did not always work). The initial story of Mabel and Bertie's (and Bertie and Wallace's) separation was not convincing. There were myriad ways in which all three characters could have come back together early in the story. Overall it was an interesting read; however, the wait to find out if the two sisters would reconnect was lengthy and dissatisfying.
Rated of 5
by Eileen F. (Ephrata, WA) Everything is Broken
Sisters is a very interesting, complex story of what can go wrong because of secrets, life choices and misunderstandings in families. I was grateful for the family tree diagram, because the narrator, as well as the story line, shifted with each chapter.
Jensen was able to develop some great characters, while others were just mentioned. I would have like to see fewer characters.
I appreciated the opportunity to read this book. When I read a book, I always think, " Could I recommend this book to a friend as, a good read?" My answer would be no, because for me it was a depressing read.
Rated of 5
by Virginia B. (Foster, RI) Sisters
Sisters graphically explores the disastrous effects of sexual abuse on the victim, Mabel, her sister, Bertie, and future generations of daughters. Half-truths, lies and thwarted dreams cripple these bitter, unhappy women. The chapters that alternate between characters and time periods are melodramatic, confusing, and superficial. Real insight into human nature sometimes shines through but not often enough to have this novel be a satisfying read.
Rated of 5
by Joyce K. (Conway, Arkansas) The Sisters
This is a book that really made me think about how family dynamics shape our lives in so many ways. The story opens with two sisters who live rather desperate lives in a small town in Kentucky. The older one makes a radical choice to protect her younger sister. What results from that choice is a lifetime of separation. The younger sister develops deep rooted bitterness that just seems to perpetuate itself with the next generation. In addition to being a story of family, it is also a story of American women over the decades. The thought I kept having was how grateful I am to have lived my life in a time that women could make choices about education, professions, marriage,and birth control. There was a great deal of misery in this book, some caused by poor choices; at other times the lack of any choice. But the most compelling thing that keeps drawing the characters of this book together is the bonds of family and their love for one another. I think that is what we all hope we have with family. That is the reward the reader is able to experience from reading this book.
Rated of 5
by Marie C. (Wyoming, DE) Concept vs Mechanics
I gave this book a 4 out of 5 because I felt the mechanics of the book were lacking. I found myself needing to refer to the family tree at the beginning of the book. Thank goodness it was there. The theme and concept of the book was interesting especially to women and will definitely be a top pick among women's book clubs. It will make interesting discussion about secrets, sacrifice, forgiveness, and real love. Thoughts that came to mind while reading: Sacrifice without forgiveness and no concept of what love really is. Secrets born of sacrifices made out of love that's never explicitly expressed. Interesting book.
Rated of 5
by Betty S. (Jasper, GA) Twentieth Century Women
This is an entertaining novel, but don't start it on a day when you're feeling down. Through four generations, the female descendants of Imogene East Fischer hardly ever catch a break when choosing a mate or raising a child. You'll ask yourself, "How can these women be so clueless?" And be glad this is not your family.
Stranger than fiction, blending tragedy and farce, How to Create the Perfect Wife is an engrossing tale of the radicalism, and deep contradictions, at the heart of the Enlightenment.
Z, the novel about the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald is at points charming and; like another reviewer, I kept thinking of the movie, "Midnight...
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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U.S. ebook sales up in 2012, but rate of growth is slowing(May 16 2013) In 2012, trade book sales (i.e. non academic book sales) rose 6.9%, to $15.049 billion, and e-book sales continued to grow, although the rate of growth...
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by Cheryl W. (Faribault, Mn) 
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by Virginia B. (Foster, RI) 
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by Joyce K. (Conway, Arkansas) 
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by Marie C. (Wyoming, DE) 
