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Iris and Lily #1-3
Iris & Lily: The Complete Series
Growing up in the '60s and '70s as the youngest daughters in a family of fourteen, the sisters Iris and Lily struggle to survive in the chaotic Capotosti household. The rage of their hot-blooded Italian-American father, the demands and dictates of the Catholic church, the abuse and intimidation meted out by half a dozen domineering brothers, and the oppression of poverty pave their lives, forcing them to tackle physical and emotional feats beyond their comprehension and power.
During childhood, Iris and Lily lock arms to care for and protect one another, but as they grow, outside forces begin to drive a wedge between them. The blatant favoritism of an aunt, the shame of sexual abuse, socioeconomic shifts, and the eruption of the women’s movement become the catalysts that transform their childhood camaraderie into conflict and their affection into alienation.
Desperate for love, validation, physical care, and freedom they each run headlong into marriage when they are barely out of their teens. When Iris’ marriage transplants her to Italy, the physical and the emotional distance between the young women seems irreconcilable. Each time the sisters are reunited to celebrate a holiday or grieve the death of a family member, the unresolved conflicts resurface to confront them, challenging their perceptions of the past and the devotion they once knew.
Through their alternating voices and points of view, the two sisters Iris and Lily draw readers into their personal sagas within the Capotosti family relationships, making them relive the romance and expectations of young love, the disappointing realities of adulthood, and the complex dynamics at play between siblings with indomitable spirits who, despite their differences, share a deep sisterly love.
But is the love between two sisters strong enough to survive the truth they have avoided for so long? Can the deeply ingrained dynamic that governs their relationship – and their destinies – be altered?
Praised as "beyond excellent", "raw, real and slightly unnerving", "delightful, touching, deep and wise", this three-book series about two sisters is a compelling work of contemporary classic literature, a coming of age novel "you won't want to end".
The ebook edition contains all three books in the series. A paperback edition is available for each separate book of the "Iris & Lily" series, as Book One, Book Two and Book Three.
During childhood, Iris and Lily lock arms to care for and protect one another, but as they grow, outside forces begin to drive a wedge between them. The blatant favoritism of an aunt, the shame of sexual abuse, socioeconomic shifts, and the eruption of the women’s movement become the catalysts that transform their childhood camaraderie into conflict and their affection into alienation.
Desperate for love, validation, physical care, and freedom they each run headlong into marriage when they are barely out of their teens. When Iris’ marriage transplants her to Italy, the physical and the emotional distance between the young women seems irreconcilable. Each time the sisters are reunited to celebrate a holiday or grieve the death of a family member, the unresolved conflicts resurface to confront them, challenging their perceptions of the past and the devotion they once knew.
Through their alternating voices and points of view, the two sisters Iris and Lily draw readers into their personal sagas within the Capotosti family relationships, making them relive the romance and expectations of young love, the disappointing realities of adulthood, and the complex dynamics at play between siblings with indomitable spirits who, despite their differences, share a deep sisterly love.
But is the love between two sisters strong enough to survive the truth they have avoided for so long? Can the deeply ingrained dynamic that governs their relationship – and their destinies – be altered?
Praised as "beyond excellent", "raw, real and slightly unnerving", "delightful, touching, deep and wise", this three-book series about two sisters is a compelling work of contemporary classic literature, a coming of age novel "you won't want to end".
The ebook edition contains all three books in the series. A paperback edition is available for each separate book of the "Iris & Lily" series, as Book One, Book Two and Book Three.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2014
1903 people are currently reading
3299 people want to read
About the author
Angela Scipioni
10 books59 followersAngela Scipioni came into the world during a blizzard in the January of 1959, the seventh in a not-yet-completed lineup of snot-nosed, scraggly children. Not surprisingly, like generations of romantically inclined, novel-devouring young women before her, during a trip to Italy Angela fell in love with the country, its climate, its natural and artistic beauty, its people (yes, including its men), language, flavors and flair. Not yet 21, bewitched by fantasies of a sunny world filled with love and adventure, she moved to Italy to live out her own fairy story, and draft the first of several versions of a happy ending.
Three decades and many twists later, from her home in Liguria, she co-authored her first novel, Iris & Lily, with her sister Julie, working long-distance across the Atlantic for four full years.
A family saga covering the story of two sisters struggling to survive a chaotic childhood, a confused adolescence, and an adulthood for which they are unprepared despite being wise beyond their years, Iris & Lily follows their relationship as it evolves over the course of their very different lives.
Angela has also written Gently, Jolene, a novel set in Italy's fabled Cinque Terre.
When she is not working on her writing projects, Angela enjoys noodling on her guitar and ukulele, cooking for and with friends, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, gardening, hiking, swimming, visiting with the cats that stop by to be petted and fed, and nurturing her soul with the beauty of God's nature.
Three decades and many twists later, from her home in Liguria, she co-authored her first novel, Iris & Lily, with her sister Julie, working long-distance across the Atlantic for four full years.
A family saga covering the story of two sisters struggling to survive a chaotic childhood, a confused adolescence, and an adulthood for which they are unprepared despite being wise beyond their years, Iris & Lily follows their relationship as it evolves over the course of their very different lives.
Angela has also written Gently, Jolene, a novel set in Italy's fabled Cinque Terre.
When she is not working on her writing projects, Angela enjoys noodling on her guitar and ukulele, cooking for and with friends, and spending as much time as possible outdoors, gardening, hiking, swimming, visiting with the cats that stop by to be petted and fed, and nurturing her soul with the beauty of God's nature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
April 27, 2016
One minor spoiler in paragraph four. As other reviewers have noted, the Kindle version is actually book 1, 2, and 3, all rolled into one. I'm using that fact to console myself that it took me a full month to read this book. Unfortunately it only counts as one in my reading challenge for 2016.
I feel like I bought some hype with this book. I honestly believe that if it hadn't kept popping up in my Facebook newsfeed, touted as one of the best books of the year, I wouldn't feel so put off. If I had found this on my own I could have appreciated its charms.
Book one reminded me very much of what my mother told me about her childhood, though it takes place in the years that covered MY childhood. The large family, poverty, exhausted mother (benign neglect?), and forceful father remind me much of Depression era stories. I kept reading for two reasons - I liked the relationship between the two sisters, and I wanted to see them get out of the god-awful situation they were in.
Getting into books two and three - which I can't differentiate - didn't help. I still kept reading hoping I'd "help" them on to better circumstances. I got to the 80% mark and kept thinking I should give up, but was too close to the end to quit. Spoiler: Frankly, I kept waiting for the punch line - I wanted something to indicate that Iris couldn't possibly be that taken in by sleazy Max. No such luck.
I'm sorry I didn't love this book the way the reviews said I would. I liked the last four percent the most. At least the conclusion was somewhat satisfying.
I feel like I bought some hype with this book. I honestly believe that if it hadn't kept popping up in my Facebook newsfeed, touted as one of the best books of the year, I wouldn't feel so put off. If I had found this on my own I could have appreciated its charms.
Book one reminded me very much of what my mother told me about her childhood, though it takes place in the years that covered MY childhood. The large family, poverty, exhausted mother (benign neglect?), and forceful father remind me much of Depression era stories. I kept reading for two reasons - I liked the relationship between the two sisters, and I wanted to see them get out of the god-awful situation they were in.
Getting into books two and three - which I can't differentiate - didn't help. I still kept reading hoping I'd "help" them on to better circumstances. I got to the 80% mark and kept thinking I should give up, but was too close to the end to quit. Spoiler: Frankly, I kept waiting for the punch line - I wanted something to indicate that Iris couldn't possibly be that taken in by sleazy Max. No such luck.
I'm sorry I didn't love this book the way the reviews said I would. I liked the last four percent the most. At least the conclusion was somewhat satisfying.
August 3, 2016
I truly enjoyed this novel (actually books 1-3, and especially books 1 and 3.) The authors have given the reader fully-formed main characters upon whom the reader can bestow accolades, blessings, reprimands, and/or condemnations. Opinions of the characters are inevitable and fierce.
The writing is excellent. I wish I would have had this novel to use in my creative writing classes for sentence imitation practice. For example: She scowled at the hangers, silently accusing them of rebelling against the order she had always imposed upon them, cursing the flimsy wire they were made of, so pathetically bent of out shape from years of sustaining the clothes of growing girls, and the dreams stitched to their hems (location 7875) . The scenes of Joe taking the children from Lily and Iris at the death bed of Auntie Rosa are remarkably vivid. And if you were raised Catholic, you will howl when Lily uses the school water fountain to baptize all the "publics" so they do not have to spend eternity in Limbo.
I hope there will be a Book 4; it seems likely from the events on the last dozen pages when Iris and Lily each meet a new man. If this next book is written, the question the faithful reader will want to have answered is whether each sister will live up to this declaration issued by Iris (location 24107): She unleashed her fury at the men who had designated themselves her leaders and superiors, but was even more outraged at herself for falling into their traps, for not having had the courage to try and find out who she really was, instead of letting others decide for her. “You will not do that again!”
I highly recommend this novel for book clubs, as well as for individual reading.
The writing is excellent. I wish I would have had this novel to use in my creative writing classes for sentence imitation practice. For example: She scowled at the hangers, silently accusing them of rebelling against the order she had always imposed upon them, cursing the flimsy wire they were made of, so pathetically bent of out shape from years of sustaining the clothes of growing girls, and the dreams stitched to their hems (location 7875) . The scenes of Joe taking the children from Lily and Iris at the death bed of Auntie Rosa are remarkably vivid. And if you were raised Catholic, you will howl when Lily uses the school water fountain to baptize all the "publics" so they do not have to spend eternity in Limbo.
I hope there will be a Book 4; it seems likely from the events on the last dozen pages when Iris and Lily each meet a new man. If this next book is written, the question the faithful reader will want to have answered is whether each sister will live up to this declaration issued by Iris (location 24107): She unleashed her fury at the men who had designated themselves her leaders and superiors, but was even more outraged at herself for falling into their traps, for not having had the courage to try and find out who she really was, instead of letting others decide for her. “You will not do that again!”
I highly recommend this novel for book clubs, as well as for individual reading.
April 15, 2017
I'll join all the reviewers of IRIS & LILY by saying "I loved this book". Told in an unusual fashion, the very close 8th and 9th children of 12 in an Italian family seek to write their own chapters to create a book and their e-mails back and forth contain comments on what the other sister wrote. The writing is excellent and all the characters are fully formed and functional and hit several notes with me as to my own relationship with my sister and growing up in the 50's and 60's, recalled my own childhood. The confusion, misunderstandings, desire and dreams were all too real and it's a blessing when two sisters reconnect.
January 5, 2015
One of the best I've ever read!
A must read for anyone raised in a devote Catholic family! It will make you laugh, cry and think about how choices define your life. It's a book about faith, love and life lessons. Loved it
A must read for anyone raised in a devote Catholic family! It will make you laugh, cry and think about how choices define your life. It's a book about faith, love and life lessons. Loved it
June 24, 2015
Really liked this book a lot! Highly recommended! It kept my interest from the first sentence to the last. It is a very long book, but it was so good, I still didn't want it to end!
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February 22, 2016Wow!
I had times while reading Iris and Lilly where I wanted it to just end. I would get so frustrated with the two of them! But now that it is over I miss them.
I had times while reading Iris and Lilly where I wanted it to just end. I would get so frustrated with the two of them! But now that it is over I miss them.
June 4, 2015
One of my favorite books EVER! Highly recommend it....a wonderful journey....I found the story compelling and nostalgic...brought me back to the past, savoring the scenes and even at times had me cringing for the brutal realities that face women ..the eternal quest for happiness and peace within ...
January 7, 2016
When I began the long wonderfully detailed story I was not sure what to expect. Having become so familiar with the family and all the characters, I longed for it to never end. Many of the lessons Iris and Lily learned became so clear in my own life's journey
I would recommend this to all of my friends.
If you are searching for a good long read, this is it.
I would recommend this to all of my friends.
If you are searching for a good long read, this is it.
March 4, 2017
Bitter sweet
I laughed, I cried, I empathised. First I was Iris then lily then Iris.......over and again. The insight into family dynamics is soul wrenching.
I laughed, I cried, I empathised. First I was Iris then lily then Iris.......over and again. The insight into family dynamics is soul wrenching.
March 26, 2017
Wished for more
So sorry to read the end wished it could have gone on , sister's always competitive always there if you let them in
So sorry to read the end wished it could have gone on , sister's always competitive always there if you let them in
April 3, 2019
It was a struggle to get through....not quite sure if I truly liked it.....one down two to go
November 3, 2018
I tried everywhere to buy this series and finally was able to download it from Amazon. I enjoyed the book as it was very well written but may have gotten more out of it if I had a sister.
March 3, 2018
Great way to read about sisters.
Loved the book, just couldn't put it down. Got nothing done for the last two days but laying around in my pajamas reading this book.
Loved the book, just couldn't put it down. Got nothing done for the last two days but laying around in my pajamas reading this book.
March 25, 2017
Family!
This is a must read for anyone with a sister, came from a large family or just possibility has a story to tell. Loving my sister deeply. Even with our difference.
This is a must read for anyone with a sister, came from a large family or just possibility has a story to tell. Loving my sister deeply. Even with our difference.
March 18, 2017
My new all time favorite
Iris and Lily has become my all time favorite book.. I loved every word of this book . Iris &Lily has moved The Thornbirds and Pillars of the Earth to 2nd and 3rd place as my all time favorite books. I could relate to many experiences the sisters had as I compared my sister and I to Iris & Lily's story. From rubber bands holding up knee socks that had lost their elasticity and sharing bedtime stories and dreams to feeling as if one life was a better life then the other*s to finding out each life was handed its own set of complications. This book expressed the connection of sisters perfectly. I hope for a continuation as I want to know what happens next in these sister's lives.
Iris and Lily has become my all time favorite book.. I loved every word of this book . Iris &Lily has moved The Thornbirds and Pillars of the Earth to 2nd and 3rd place as my all time favorite books. I could relate to many experiences the sisters had as I compared my sister and I to Iris & Lily's story. From rubber bands holding up knee socks that had lost their elasticity and sharing bedtime stories and dreams to feeling as if one life was a better life then the other*s to finding out each life was handed its own set of complications. This book expressed the connection of sisters perfectly. I hope for a continuation as I want to know what happens next in these sister's lives.
March 11, 2017
Compelling!
The story of two sisters who grew up close in a large family, until life took them in different directions. This is the story of their separate but joined lives and how they found their way back to each other. Amy one who is a sister will relate to the dynamics of their relationship and depth of their love for one another.
The story of two sisters who grew up close in a large family, until life took them in different directions. This is the story of their separate but joined lives and how they found their way back to each other. Amy one who is a sister will relate to the dynamics of their relationship and depth of their love for one another.
March 15, 2017
Siblings Rivalry
A large family of 12 kids...we large family of 12 siblings would naturally cause rivalry probably daily. The dynamics of such a large family just blows my mind. This family had so many dysfunctional things going it was hard to keep up.
A large family of 12 kids...we large family of 12 siblings would naturally cause rivalry probably daily. The dynamics of such a large family just blows my mind. This family had so many dysfunctional things going it was hard to keep up.
April 1, 2016
I am not sure why, but this book really pulled me in. I felt for the two little girls Iris & Lily, the 8th and 9th children in a family of twelve children. I could identify with being part of a large Catholic family but really there were not a lot of similarities between their family and the one I grew up in. Their trials and tribulations grabbed me in. As they grew, some of their choices were irritating to me - I felt they should have been smarter. But then, most of us have made choices that in hind sight were not the smartest. I found myself wondering what would happen next in their lives and what else they would reveal about the past in their letters back and forth. There was a lot of the good and bad of being part of a large family. The story followed the time era beginning around 1960 and followed the girls through their maturing and growing into middle age. Lots of life lessons, sadness, joy, heartbreak - the whole gamut of life experience. I do not think you would need to be part of a large Catholic family to enjoy this book but it does help you to understand some of the background. It is basically a story of two sisters growing up close together, growing apart due to distance and different life styles, and coming back together in maturity.
February 27, 2016
This 3 book trilogy is the story of two Italian Catholic sisters' lives from a family of 12 children, written by them, from childhood to adulthood and the different paths they take. The format is incredibly unusual; two sisters agree to write the books together. Between chapters, there are emails to and from each other discussing what the other wrote. They discover while reading each others' chapters that although they were incredibly close as children, they knew little of each other as adults. It is categorized as a novel, but I think it's probably as much autobiography as fiction as the authors (Angela and Julie Scipioni) are indeed two Italian sisters raised in a large Catholic household. If you were raised Catholic, do NOT miss Chapter 12 of book one. Catholicism through a child's eyes can lead to nothing but massive guffaws. Excellent books.
September 20, 2016
This was a complete set of three books about the two youngest girls in a family of twelve kids. Life in a large Italian Catholic family is never dull or easy. Someone is always lost in the shuffle even when you're told that everyone is loved the same. When their mother makes a life changing decision Iris and Lilly are depended on to pick up the slack. The pressure of this leads both the girls to forgo their dreams and make some compromising life choices. It takes years for this once tight knit pair to come to understand that both have married controlling men who have kept them apart. Finally the sisters stop worrying about someone else's happiness and find it for themselves by simply being Iris and Lilly. Heart rendering read.
February 4, 2017
I am still thinking about who I am...
I think this is the first time I've ever read a book that made me look at my life closer rather than getting so absorbed in the characters lives that I missed the meanings I gleaned from reading their story. I'm the same age as the authors. Grew up with the same quandaries about marriage and babies and one foot in the stay at home camp and one foot in being employed outside the home. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Well done, ladies.
I think this is the first time I've ever read a book that made me look at my life closer rather than getting so absorbed in the characters lives that I missed the meanings I gleaned from reading their story. I'm the same age as the authors. Grew up with the same quandaries about marriage and babies and one foot in the stay at home camp and one foot in being employed outside the home. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Well done, ladies.
July 26, 2016
Saga of Sisters
This very authentic tale of two sisters growing up in a large family took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Their lives rang true in what it is like to end up children of divorce and how that impacts future relationships. The storytelling captivated me so that I found myself reading for hours caught up in the challenges each of them faced. As the story concluded I found myself wanting there to be more...
This very authentic tale of two sisters growing up in a large family took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Their lives rang true in what it is like to end up children of divorce and how that impacts future relationships. The storytelling captivated me so that I found myself reading for hours caught up in the challenges each of them faced. As the story concluded I found myself wanting there to be more...
August 19, 2018
It is finally finished!
This is lengthy series of books to take on. I almost quit on it several times. Book three was sometimes painful to read,how these two sisters could allow the men in their lives to treat them like they did. I felt angry at Iris to allow Max to infiltrate her life like she did. I gave it 4 stars because it kept me reading until the end when at times I didn’t want to
This is lengthy series of books to take on. I almost quit on it several times. Book three was sometimes painful to read,how these two sisters could allow the men in their lives to treat them like they did. I felt angry at Iris to allow Max to infiltrate her life like she did. I gave it 4 stars because it kept me reading until the end when at times I didn’t want to
October 7, 2018
I could not get into this book. Basically a play by play account of two girls who grew up in a HUGE Catholic family somewhere in NY. I think it is a bit self indulgent - a three (really large) book series of their lives. While I understand that some might enjoy this...has some good reviews...I am simply not interested in reading about every single moment of their lives. Yes I could identify with some of it, but just not my cup of tea. Others may love it.
April 14, 2016
Myself
It has taken me several weeks to complete the entire series. Many times I considered not finishing it, not because it wasn't good but because it so close home to my own relationship with my sister. I am so glad I never quit. An excellent book on the incite into family relationships. Everyone with siblings should read it.
It has taken me several weeks to complete the entire series. Many times I considered not finishing it, not because it wasn't good but because it so close home to my own relationship with my sister. I am so glad I never quit. An excellent book on the incite into family relationships. Everyone with siblings should read it.
July 17, 2016
What a lovely story
Life in a big family is covered here by two sisters bringing you to many different emotions. It cuts right to the heart. You continually wonder where it is going to end but you can't put it down till does come to completion. And then you wish for more. Excellent writing.
Life in a big family is covered here by two sisters bringing you to many different emotions. It cuts right to the heart. You continually wonder where it is going to end but you can't put it down till does come to completion. And then you wish for more. Excellent writing.
February 16, 2017
This collection mtook a long time to finish, but it was worth it. As a person who grew up in the same era as the Capotosti sisters, with the same religious background, I was drawn in right away. An often sad story about the adventures and heartbreak of sisters whose lives took very different directions. I recommend!
May 22, 2015
Review of Iris and Lily
Loved the format..Excellent vivid descriptions of both Italy and Rochester..Got to the heart and soul of both sisters..I felt nostalgic for my life in a very large family and couldn't help comparing their feedings and experiences with mine!
Loved the format..Excellent vivid descriptions of both Italy and Rochester..Got to the heart and soul of both sisters..I felt nostalgic for my life in a very large family and couldn't help comparing their feedings and experiences with mine!
September 13, 2015
One of the best books I've read recently.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were very realistic. This was a very long book but I loved every minute of it. I will recommend it to my friends.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were very realistic. This was a very long book but I loved every minute of it. I will recommend it to my friends.
May 2, 2016
Great book!
Had to "step away" from this several times, mostly because of the emotions that it stirs up and how exhausting they could be. However, it goes on my short list of favorite titles of all time.
Had to "step away" from this several times, mostly because of the emotions that it stirs up and how exhausting they could be. However, it goes on my short list of favorite titles of all time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews