Sunday, January 26, 2014

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld - 416 pages

This novel intrigued me initially because of it being set in St. Louis.  While I like local references and inside elements in a story, it gets a bit excessive in this one.  Most people don't think in brand names for stores and restaurants or use the true names for highways and bridges when describing getting from one place to another.

The narrative centers on twin sisters Kate and Violet and their relationship.  A mild earthquake strikes St. Louis and Violet (who is a self-proclaimed psychic) goes on television predicting a devastating earthquake will hit soon which complicates both of their lives.  I found myself sympathizing initially with Kate but she gets more and more unlikeable as the story goes on.  The first two thirds of the book is a very intriguing character study of the two sisters and their relationship together and with outsiders in midwestern suburban America.  The last third takes the plot in a different direction that illustrates that personal relationship "earthquakes" can be just as devastating to an individual as a natural one.  

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