SISTERLAND by Curtis
Sittenfeld
4 stars
Twins, Kate (Daisy) and Violet, are psychic. One of them
becomes a wife and mother and denies her ability. The other embraces it and
actually earns a living by using her “senses” as a medium. When Violet, and
later, Kate become convinced that a tragic earthquake will strike the city of
St. Louis, a long simmering estrangement comes to a head.
Sittenfeld has written an engrossing tale that occasionally
bogs down in minutia, but ultimately achieves its goal. The ending is
unexpected and wrenching. Those who want
a “quick read” should find another book. This one will take a while but will
appeal to those who are looking for a love story, a coming of age novel or a
family story. Does it end happily ever after – you will just have to read it
for yourself.
Book groups will find many topics to discuss – distant (and
controlling) moms, ESP, fidelity, relationships between sisters, male-female
friendship, abortion, premarital and extramarital sex, mothering styles, divorce,
Black-White relationships and class distinctions among others.
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