Sistering

by Jennifer Quist

The second novel by award-winning novelist Jennifer Quist is a black comedy of birth, death, love, marriage, mothers-in-law—and five sassy sisters. When Suzanne’s role as the perfect daughter-in-law ends in a deadly accident, she panics, makes a monumentally bad decision, and upends her world. The bond with her sisters is the strongest force Suzanne knows, and it may be the one that can keep her from ruin. Quist’s new novel is a hilarious, spine-chilling, satisfying, and original. A romp.

Genres: Fiction, Canada, Mystery

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2015

About the author

Writer, researcher, critic, and lecturer, Jennifer Quist is the author of three novels: "The Apocalypse of Morgan Turner" (Spring 2018), "Sistering" (2015) which was awarded best novel of 2015 by the AML, and "Love Letters of the Angels of Death" (2013) which was long-listed for the 2015 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and winner of a 2014 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award. She is also the author of the academic study Tranlingual Creative Writing Theory, Practice, and Pedagogy: Daoism and Decentering Monolingual Workshops. Since being awarded a PhD in Transnational and Comparative Literatures from the University of Alberta, she now lectures there in the department of English and Film Studies.

Reviews

[Michael Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved (loved, loved) this book.

In some ways, Sistering appears to be a traditional family comedy about five sisters who share each other's joys, mourn with each other during times of sorrow, and hide charred bodies together in Latin America. You know, the usual stuff. But, by having each of the five sisters narrate alternate chapters, Jennifer Quist creates a full slate of strong-but-flawed viewpoint characters who turn what might have been a story of either extreme horror or maudlin sentimentality into a masterful black comedy, worthy of the 20th century masters. Highly recommended.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sistering” is a novel about five sisters and their unbreakable bond with one another. Each sister has a role in the family and Suzanne’s role as the perfect daughter-in-law is one that sets her apart from her siblings seeing that she is the only one who has a mother-in-law. Or so they think. The siblings’ roles take on twists and turns that are funny, touching and horribly bad, and we follow along with narration from each sisters’ point of view.

The big plot twist is very implausible, but if you can let your mind overlook that fact you can sit back and enjoy an extremely dark comedy that is both a fun read and a great look at how strong the sibling bond can be. These chicks take sibling loyality to a whole new level!

[Ann Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the premise for this novel (a novel about five sisters had tremendous appeal for me, given that I am the oldest of four sisters) and I appreciated the character development (each sister is definitely her own person). But the major plot twist involving Suzanne stretched the limits of what I believed was possible (or even remotely plausible) for these characters.

Just as an aside: I was intrigued by the fact that the novel wraps up with a comment about plausibility. The author writes: "What matters isn't always whether stories are true, but whether they could be true -- whether we could rise up and live through them if we were called upon to do so." While most of this novel rang "true" to me, the plot twist that drove most of the novel's action didn't -- and that undermined what was otherwise a very well-written and entertaining novel.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 at points. I appreciated the relationship between the five sisters and I thought many parts, including the dialogue, were written well. However, the plot took a morbid twist on me that stretched credulity and lessoned my appreciation. Overall, fun to read.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful. I loved it up until Suzanne does her Big Bad Thing, which I thought was unrealistic, but shortly thereafter it dragged me back in. Couldn't put it down.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I found the pivotal event a little unbelievable, the relationship of the sisters more than made up for it. All five were strong, separate characters, and though I've only got two sisters, I recognized many sisterly traits and foibles. (And was relieved in some ways that I don't have four sisters!) Loved that the book is set in Edmonton. When people were driving on the Henday or visiting the suburbs, I could picture where they were and know how an early autumn or late spring day would feel.

[Mary Elizabeth Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five sisters who are almost co-dependent. Quist takes the reader on quite a romp as the sisters' issues with mothers-in-law drive a plot that gets nuttier as it develops. A dark tale in many ways but a fun read at the same time. Somewhat reminiscent of Joan Barfoot.

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

These five sisters could solve anything and forgive each other for anything! This is a wonderful book told in the voices of five sisters, who, although are different in many ways, understand each other more than anyone else can. When one makes a terrible, gruesome error in judgment, the others find a way to make it better. Jennifer Quist defines the characters superbly in her witty and delightful script. The plot is unbelievable, yet it makes me wonder...has anything like this ever really happened in Jennifer's life? Let's just say that if I hadn't talked to her mother-in-law fairly recently on the phone, I'd be more curious about her whereabouts. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who likes a mystery macabre.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of 5 sisters whose lives are inextricably tied to each other through even the worst trials of life. It isn't sentimental or maudlin, like a lot of family dramas seem to be. These women are quirky, neurotic, strange creatures who somehow come together in the book to make a truly compelling story.

Yes, I will agree there is one plot element that is utterly ridiculous, almost enough to make me toss the book away. But I slept on it, and the next day, when I picked up the book again, I ended up devouring it all the way to the end. It was definitely worth that second look. I loved these women.

[Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic family drama.