Spinsters

by Pagan Kennedy

Frannie and Doris, sisters and spinsters, are finally free from family ties and constraints. Taking off in their Plymouth Valient, they hit the road on a journey through the changing cultural landscape of America - civil rights marches and the assassination of Martin Luther King.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Americana, Literature

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 1995

About the author

Pagan Kennedy is a regular contributor to the New York Times and author of eleven books. A biography titled Black Livingstone made the NewYork Times Notable list and earned Massachusetts Book Award honors. She also has been the recipient of a Barnes and Noble Discover Award, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Fiction, and a Smithsonian Fellowship for science writing. Visit her online at www.pagankennedy.net.

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Reviews

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

On est bien loin de l'Amérique d'aujourd'hui pourtant on n'est pas dépaysé car celle des sixties n'a rien à lui envier. On a toutes et tous des images, des clichés en tête. On les retrouvera en partie dans ce roman qui n'est pas récent sauf pour ce qui est de cette traduction française (voir le mot de l'éditrice). Auparavant, il fallait lire la version originale, ce qui n'était pas donné à tout le monde.

La couverture est belle, mais laisse penser que l'on va découvrir un road movie endiablé avec nos deux protagonistes principales : Frannie et Doris, deux sœurs assez différentes qui pourtant s'accordent pas si mal. Il n'en sera rien même si de la route, elles en avaleront. Il y aura aussi des rencontres, des retrouvailles, des surprises, des déceptions, de l'amertume, de la jalousie, de l'insouciance, de l'ivresse... Certes, on n'est pas dans un roman d'action avec un rebondissement à chaque paragraphe, mais même avec un rythme plus lent, il s'en passe des choses. C'est moins clinquant, moins tapageur, mais plus réaliste.

On fera quelques incartades dans le passé. Cela nous permettra de mieux saisir les réactions de chacune, de se replonger dans une époque que pour beaucoup, on n'a pas vraiment connu et qu'on a énormément fantasmé.

Globalement, c'est bien écrit. Cela se lit aisément, mais heureusement que ce roman n'est pas plus long. Cela aurait été trop. J'ai apprécié ce voyage, mais j'avoue que j'étais aussi contente d'arriver à son terme. Plus et je me serais soit lassée, soit égarée en route. Il n'en fut rien et donc j'espère que d'autres voyageurs suivront...

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little short story. Despite the title, its really more about a woman, or rather, two sisters finally growing up at 35 and discovering those dark hidden secrets you know about your life, but don't want to admit. You know, what your parents' relationship was really like, what you really desire, etc. I thought the author's characters were well-developed and she had some lovely passages that were almost like poetry to describe the inner thoughts of the prudish younger sister. All about memories and our wanting to hold onto those no matter if they hold us back.

[Carol Colfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this slightly odd book. It's written from the perspective of one of two unmarried sisters in their 30s, who live together---not long after World War II. It begins with the natural death of their father with whom they also lived, and explores what they do immediately thereafter. As the story unfolds, so do elements of their previous lives with their parents and each other. It ends on an upbeat note---something I like about a book.

[Kirsten Feldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, these two spinsters are anything but staid, only too short.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frannie and Doris are sisters. They have spent years of their adult life taking care of their father and now that he is gone, they need to decide what the rest of their lives with look like. Frannie is introverted and just wants things to stay the same. She had a steady boyfriend at one point but things didn't work out. Doris is much more extroverted and she wants a big change in her life. She wants to go out and love men and she's not sure where she wants to live.

The two sisters head out to visit another relative but never make it there. They end up at a man's house who Doris picks up and then they decide to go on a vacation. They end up taking a teenage relative and her boyfriend along with them as they drive cross country taking in the sights. How will their lives work out?

Pagan Kennedy is an American author and columnist. She has worked in the fields of writing columns about who invented what breakthrough and one of the her first books related the story of the woman who invented the rape kit. In this book, she has Frannie and Doris drive by the big tourist attractions of the country but also by things that were happening at that time like a civil rights demonstration or the assassination of Robert Kennedy. Readers will feel like they are driving along with the sisters and those who are older will remember many of the events discussed. This book was shortlisted for the Orange Prize, now named the Woman's Prize for Literature and is recommended for readers of literary and women's fiction.

[Petty Lisbon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I've read some of Kennedy's other books and they were snarky and nonfiction so I wasn't sure how this book would go. I was surprised at how much I liked it. It's definitely on the sappy/sentimental side but I really do feel for them. I like the details about the relationship between the sisters and both of their parents. I didn't really know if the period piece aspect would draw my interest but I think how the father kind of drifted out because of the war and how it impacted the mother was interesting. I liked Fran's guilt about feeling like she was free but also not wanting to go back home and wondering if she just used her identity as a caregiver to not give love a try (it sounds corny typing it out so forgive me for the cheese).

This should've been made into a movie with Janeane Garofalo and Parker Posey in 1999.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short novel has been on a to-read list for many years, but it wasn't what I expected. Expected it to be a rollicking road trip story of two 70ish spinster sisters beginning to experience life after the death of the father they cared for. Instead, the "spinsters" are in their mid- to late-30s, and their road trip, set in 1968 in that summer of unrest, is the very picture of staid. But the narrator spinster sister does introspectively begin to see how carefully and dully she has lived her life and how that might change. Not badly written — just not very exciting and not what I expected.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough, although I feel like I would have gotten more out of it if I could have done a discussion group of some kind. Felt like there were a lot of motifs and such that I wasn't really connecting with because I was reading at a spa and (as such) was mostly just reading for plot.

I will be interested in what Renee, in particular, thinks...assuming she reads it soon enough that the book is still fresh (enough) in my memory.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth a read, and it won't take long. The narrator guides you effortlessly through a life-changing moment during a road trip and you don't even see it happening because you are enjoying the ride. I was surprised at basic philosophical themes revealing themselves in the novel. Overall, well written and hopeful.

[Paula Weisberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd, strange....road trip with two “spinster” sisters in their thirties. 😳

[Jayne Hand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky tale telling the journey through life, following the death of their father. Enjoyed this book, well written with some thoughtful descriptive text.

[léa · Rating 2 out of 5]

i read it three months ago and all i can remember is the gratuitous use of the N word and the incest vibes. at least it was a quick read?

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frannie and Doris are sisters who, in their 30;s in 1968, find themselves free. After years of caring for their ailing father, he has passed away and they can now do whatever they like. Both single (Frannie even a virgin) they eventually begin a road trip after Doris finds their impending spinsterhood unbearable. Doris has an interlude with free love, France hears from an old Loe and becomes the apple of a 17 year old's eye. Along the way, they both learn about each other and themselves, seemingly at peace with what the future holds for them.

I liked the fact that Frannie didn't need to end up with Peter at the end and that she didn't sleep with Randy or mess with his relationship with Peg. I didn't get how they got to their mid-30's without any careers or plans for the furred - that seemed a little ridiculous. the addition of Peg and Randy at the end didn't add much to the story other than fill and the ending left too many loose ends as to what they planned to so and whether Peter would ever reappear.

[Stormkpr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short novel telling the tale of two unmarried sisters in the late 60's. Now that their parents both passed away, they set out on a roadtrip to discover themselves. Kennedy does a great job creating "real" characters and including eye-opening details that also make the story feel authentic. This was a fast, enjoyable read.

[Scribe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this in the local cinema as a Travelling Book (http://www.bookcrossing.com/) and took a few years to actually pick it up and read it. But very glad I did so - Kennedy's tale of 2 sisters on an American road trip is concise, touching, and contains some great phrases. Not that I was away, but perfect holiday reading.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this one several times over the years, and it's sort of a cross between Thelma and Louise and On The Road. Not as many serious and dramatic relationship issues as those two, though. I think I just love road trip and travel books in general. I can't speak for the 60's references as I wasn't alive then. This book might not ring true for someone who has vivid memories of those events.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strange way to talk about holding onto the past too hard. That's not why I imagine people actually winding up old and alone, but it works here. Kennedy's other book was better written. I think she might be suited more to the short story form.

[Pam]

12/03 purchased from serpentstail

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I only glanced at because the cover was and is tremendous. Sad and charming. Poetic. Lovely. Lonely. And a nice surprise considering Kennedy's "'Zine-Queen" notoriety.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a you the feeling that it is never to late to break-out and find yourself. And that some people never will.

[Judy Albrecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky little book about two sisters breaking free after years of caring for their father. Simple but pleasant.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

a coming of age story for us late bloomers...

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. A quiet book that caught me up in its imagery.