The Book Sisters

by Hope Andersen

The Book Sisters is a family saga, told in vignettes, that chronicles the lives of the six Book sisters, daughters of Vern and Valley Book. The parents, after surviving the horrific experiences during World War II, want nothing more than the peace and quiet joy that come from raising corn and a family on a farm in Iowa. On the farm, we meet the girls in their youth, personalities already emerging. Time passes, and life ambushes them. As the world around them is torn apart by war and civil strife, as assassinations and riots erupt, as Nature ravages their fields and Valley breaks his heart, Vern watches his six daughters throw his dreams away. A tragedy ensues. How the sisters respond to the tragedy determines how they will live the rest of their lives.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2017

About the author

Hope Andersen is a graduate of Wellesley College (B.A) and Yale Divinity School (M.A.R.). She wrote her first novel at the age of 60. In her early career as a writer, she studied fiction writing with Andre Dubus and poetry with Derek Walcott, and published both stories and poems. She was awarded the Wellesley College Playwriting Award for her one-act play Room, which was produced at the Lyric Stage, Boston. Ms. Andersen served as a teaching assistant for George Garrett at the Stone Coast Writer’s Conference in Maine. She has worked intermittently over the years as a newspaper critic, a ghostwriter, an editor, a teacher, and a screenwriter. A native New Englander, she now lives in North Carolina with her husband Thom. They have three grown children, two dogs, a cat and a fish. She is currently at work on a young adult novel titled An Accidental Thief.

Reviews

[Felicity Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will speak to many woman; its main themes revolve around issues of identity, self-esteem, and family relationships. It reflects the many unhealthy ways we seek comfort- food, alcohol,
Sex, material wealth. While that sounds very heavy, there are moments of lightness and humor.

[Alexis Brito · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story takes you through the highs and lows of the Book sisters over the years. There are funny moments, moments of heartbreak and grief, and in the end, hope. The writing is descriptive yet effortless. I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat hard to follow with six sisters.