Title: The Weird Sisters
Author: Eleanor Brown
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Publication Date: January 20, 2011
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN: 9978-0399157226
Genre: Literary Fiction
A major new talent tackles the complicated terrain of sisters, the power of books, and the places we decide to call home.
There is no problem that a library card can’t solve.
The Andreas family is one of readers. Their father, a renowned Shakespeare professor who speaks almost entirely in verse, has named his three daughters after famous Shakespearean women. When the sisters return to their childhood home, ostensibly to care for their ailing mother, but really to lick their wounds and bury their secrets, they are horrified to find the others there. See, we love each other. We just don’t happen to like each other very much. But the sisters soon discover that everything they’ve been running from-one another, their small hometown, and themselves-might offer more than they ever expected.
My Review:
Confession is good for the soul and so I confess I am a tremendous fan of Shakespeare which made reading The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown all that more delightful. For my fellow readers who do not get the thrill from reading Shakespeare that I do, never fear, the book is about so very much more including a family to which I could not readily relate not having a sister, yet adored for all their quirks. Brown tells the story of the Andreas family headed by Dr. James Andreas, professor of Shakespeare at Barnwell College, in Barnwell, Ohio. When the sisters learn their mother has breast cancer they all return home, although each has a reason that is not quite rooted solely in helping their mother out. Rosalind (Rose) has stayed near home, and has a fear of leaving, which should she marry her affianced she will need to not only leave Barnwell, but the country. Next up is Bianca (Bean) who owes a considerable amount of money due to a problem at her former place of employment, which brings me to the youngest sister, Cordelia (Cordy) who needs a place to live, especially now that she is pregnant. Brown not only gave her three main characters names after heroines in Shakespearean plays, she also gave them lives that could rival Shakespeare’s plays. The Weird Sisters is an absolute delight to read, Brown’s exquisite prose flows off the pages and soothes the readers mind while the complex relationships amongst the sisters and individually will keep the reader not only engaged but mesmerised, wanting to know how the three will manage to deal not only with their personal issues but as a family unit. I do not have sisters or daughters and yet I adored this delightful, insightful, and at times extraordinarily deep and complex book on relationships. I would not hesitate to recommend The Weird Sisters to any reader or discussion group.
Eleanor Brown’s writing has been published in anthologies, magazines, and journals. She holds an M.A. in Literature and works in education in South Florida but will be living in the Denver area, Colorado at pub date.
For more information visit Eleanor’s website and blog. Eleanor Brown may also be found on Twitter and Facebook.
For more reviews of the book, please follow the Book Tour.
I received a complimentary ARC of The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.
I’ve seen this around over the last two weeks. It sounds good.
The Weird Sisters was delightful and I highly recommend it.
Nice review. I can’t wait to read this book – I have six sisters, LOL!
Six sisters? The you must read The Weird Sisters.
I have to admit that I’ve only read the Shakespeare I’ve been required to read and I struggled with it. I’m still really excited about this book and can’t wait to read it!
The Weird Sisters is such a wonderful book and it just may entice you to read more Shakespeare. Either way you will have a lot of fun reading the book.
I am loving this book!
It is quite fabulous!
I’d read this just for the prose and poetry that you described.
I found the book to be quite beautifully written.
Fantastic review! I adore Shakespeare but confess that it’s been years since I seriously read his works. I need to remedy that! I took a wonderful class in college 2 semesters long all about Shakespeare. It was the best. Taught by an Irish professor not much taller than me (poor guy!). I wish I could take it now.
Anyway, I am really looking forward to reading this book after reading your review!
Thank you!
I am glad you enjoyed it. I highly recommend the book.
I’ve read many mixed reviews on this; I do have it on my wishlist, as I think it would be one that I would enjoy. Thanks for the review!
I have not read any review on the book, but I do know I truly enjoyed The Weird Sisters.
I have a sister who I’m closer to than the sisters in this novel, though do wonder if we returned to living under the same roof similar hijinks would ensue… Like you told BermudaOnion, I enjoyed the Shakespeare aspects so much I’m tempted to try some of the Bard’s work!
I found the writing to be so delightful the sisters interactions almost to second seat. I am always fascinated to read about adult siblings as I am not close to mine.
I can not wait to get my hands on this book!
I think you will really enjoy it. I know I certainly did.
Great review, Jennifer; I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m not very knowledgeable about Shakespeare’s work but had no trouble with the references in the book at all. Thanks so much for being on the tour!
Thank you for having me Lisa. I found Weird Sisters to be delightfully charming, endearing and utterly delightful. I am a huge Shakespeare fan so that was an added bonus to an already superb book. I have already given several of these books as gifts, it is that good.