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The Story Sistersby Alice Hoffman |
Arlene Almas: This is such a sad and beautiful
story! It tells of three sisters, Elv (Elisabeth), Meg, and Claire.
The name "Elv" evokes the word "elf," an otherworldly creature, and indeed
Elv creates an imaginary world complete with secret language which she and her
sisters converse in when young. Elv undergoes a life-changing experience
as a girl, and evolves into a self-destructive, unreachable adolescent;
her mother, Annie, in spite of how much she loves her, cannot help her
or control her behavior. The sisters go through a series of shifting
alliances as they alternately try to protect each other and express
their anger and frustration with each other. Their grandmother Natalia
provides an oasis of stability in the girls' lives - they stay with her
in Paris during the summers, and her love for them eventually leads
to a satisfying resolution to the narrative, even if not to a
"happily ever after" for all the characters. There is sadness and death,
but also love and beauty in this absorbing story - I truly enjoyed it.
Rating: ****
