The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
hardcover 336 pages
published by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam in 2011 (originally published in 2010)
ISBN-13: 9780399157226
Type: {Weekend Read: a book to curl up on the couch with}
Rating: {An Unputdownable: Couldn’t eat or sleep until I finished this book}
Why You’re Reading It:
- You love beautiful language
- You enjoy a well-crafted story that also pulls you into the plot
- Books that make you think are your cup of tea
- You are a fan of Amy Einhorn books
- You never really agreed with Thomas Wolfe anyway
What I Thought:
If reading The Weird Sisters gives you the same summer-break-lost-in-a-book type of feel as reading The Help did, it may be because they were both published by Amy Einhorn, the woman who publishes book that “hit the sweet spot between literary and commercial - intelligent writing with a strong narrative and great storytelling.”
Eleanor Brown’s debut novel is deliciously smart, and comfortingly engaging. There is the familiar feeling that one gets reading about the Andreas sisters that takes you back to when you were on summer vacation and the days were long with not much to do, so you found books that could fill time and keep you company for hours on end as you sat out on the lawn, or in a tree, or by the lake. The characters became your friends and you almost forgot that they weren’t real. You can still picture their houses in your minds and their towns seem more like places you once visited rather than words on a page.
I won’t go into much detail about the story line here, one that is about three grown sisters who return to live in their parents’ home for varying reasons, the only one in common being that their mother has been diagnosed with cancer (lest you are hesitant to read this book because of the cancer, let me assure you that though cancer plays a role in this book, it is not a story about cancer). Though I have a sibling – it is a brother, and I know that those without two sisters of their own will find worthwhileness in this work. Within its pages are infused nuggets of truth that Brown uses to make this work unique.The language that she incorporates as well as the literary references (most notably Shakespeare’s) remind you that this woman respects her readers. She expects you to follow along whether that means you will need to break out your dictionary, or your dusty volumes of Shakespeare, so be it. And you will, because you feel so much a part of the book, a part of this family, that you won’t want to miss one moment. And you will be grateful that there are still authors who expect you to use your brain, while rewarding you with a story that buries itself in your heart.
This is, ultimately, a story about finding our authentic selves. About how it is almost impossible to see ourselves as others see us, and how we often need them more than we acknowledge to help us see ourselves more clearly. If Thomas Wolfe says that we can never go home again, Eleanor Brown says that sometimes we must — and it might even be good for us.
After you read this (because I know you will.. and if not now, then you will in a few months when everyone you know and their sister/mother/best friend is talking about it), come back and tell me: Was there a sister that you related to the most? (Mine was Rose). Was there a town that reminded you of the one in the book? (I had none, but can assure you I was searching the Internet for one to move to). And most importantly… Did you picture Stanley Tucci as the dad the entire time? (Tell me he wouldn’t be perfect to play the role in a movie adaptation.)
I read a review of this one in the NYT a couple of weeks ago and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Stanley Tucci, really? I love him. He’s got impeccable timing.
Isn’t he great? I just saw Easy A, which he was fabulous (as always) in. Probably why I was picturing him as the father.
Wonderful review! I know that there’s been some backlash regarding this book of late, but you can put me squarely in the camp of those who thoroughly enjoyed it. It was more domestic than I was expecting, but I really responded to the sisters and their strife, even though I too only have a brother. I definitely felt like town itself was a wonderful character and really gave the story so much life – I can’t imagine this story being set anywhere else!
Then again, maybe I too agree with you because I saw myself mostly in Rose. We weren’t a perfect match, but much about her are things that are true about myself as well.
Interesting… what sort of backlash? Just curious.
So glad you enjoyed this one! Like so many other readers, I fell in love with it, too. As the eldest of two sisters, I could definitely see myself in Rose — but wanted, more than anything, to be a little more free-spirit-no-worries like Cordy. She had plenty of problems, of course — plenty! — but didn’t seem as bogged down by them as Rose did. A lovely book I really enjoyed.
I even envied some parts of Bean.. how sure she was (and her wit). I get the Cordy part.. at some of my better moments I can see Cordy coming through (or maybe it’s just because I want it to?), haha!
I’m in the couldn’t put it down camp. Felt like quoting Shakespeare for days (too bad I’m not as fluent as the WS). I recommended to my sister and sister-in-law. This book was fun and different. I will definitely read the author’s next book. Good review:-) I too am curious about the backlash?
Wallace, loved your review of this book. I’d read some mixed reviews about it, so I was a bit hesitant to pick it up. Now I’m in the camp of – have to read it ASAP. Sounds like such an interesting read and I love how you write that the author respects her readers – great!
This sounds amazing! Oh, the horror – I’ve just checked it out and it’s not available here until August – will be so behind the times. Like Meg I’m the eldest of three girls and so I’m really interested in that aspect of it – but also the literary references you mention sound thoughtful without being too over-the-top clever-clever. Can’t wait.
Oh no! We’ll have to get you a copy! Book Depository doesn’t have it available?
As you know I’m a huge Amy Einhorn fan and I especially loved The Weird Sisters. Terrific review.
I so long for that “summer break, lost in a book” feel. This book has not caught my attention even with all the press it’s getting, but that one line about summer makes me want to read it (and soon!)
The way it pulls you in is subtle. It’s not one of those books that has such a fast-paced plot that you have to keep reading. It’s more like one that you come up for air realizing that you haven’t wanted a break from these characters in a long time. (And now that it’s over, I miss them a bit).
This book has been getting such raves! I can’t wait to read it!
I am downloading this onto my kindle tonight! Love your website! Miss you! xoxo
Mallory and I share a kindle account and I just finished this book and LOVED it!!! I am glad it was a wallace “must read”! xo
Going to download the book on my kindle the moment I get home!
Someday, very very soon, I’m going to cave and load this onto the nook.
I think I’m the only book blogger left who hasn’t read this yet
I want to though!
I’m going to have to pick this up. Thank you for putting it on my radar!
I don’t knowwww, Wallace! I keep gravitating toward this book but then reminding myself about the mother-with-cancer part. So torn!
(Does she die?)
I’ll probably end up reading it anyway.
The “lest you are hesitant to read this book because of the cancer…” part of my review was written with you in mind. I will e-mail you now.
I don’t think I have read a single negative review of this book. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
I loved this one too – it will make it to my top ten list in 2011, I think…just wonderful through and through and I keep telling everyone I know to read it! So glad you also loved it. I see you are currently reading By Fire, By Water – another amazing book!!
The Story is interesting ans well told. I like the fact that the author never quite lets you know for sure which of the sisters is talking. At times it may seem obvious but when you think about it could be any if not all three simultaneously. I will look for more from Eleanor Brown in the future.