What do you think?
Rate this book
The Better Sister and Other Stories
Throughout literature, authors return again and again to the theme of three Cinderella and her step-sisters; the gorgons Stheno, Euryale and Medusa; King Lear's three daughters. Too often the sisters are portrayed as an innocent virgin, a sinful temptress or a vengeful crone whose only purpose is to marry, trick or kill a prince. Covering fantasy, science fiction, Shakespearean tragedy, Greek myth and a strong focus on Maori and Pacifika characters, this collection of stories looks at the complexity of the sister-trio relationship in worlds where women struggle for a voice, a place to stand and peace in themselves. Featuring the 2018 Australian Shadows-shortlisted "Planned and Expected".
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2020
4 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2020
The Better Sister and Other Stories by Piper Mejia is collection of short stories based on the different relationships of different sisters and the various exploits they’re involved in; from hunting in an isolated wilderness to the hardships of familial life. These stories are as different from each other as siblings are. You’ll love some, you’ll hate some and others will have you stuck in the middle and need a reread to find your true feelings.
I immensely enjoyed that each story is different from one another. They’re style is different, and I can guarantee you will find a story you like. Each character is as real as you or me and they pull at your heartstrings. Each story takes place in diverse setting never the same place twice; even when the setting for two is a house, they are vastly different, from squalor to cottage, there’s always something new.
That’s not to say this a book full of hope and laughter and happy endings. These stories are not for the faint of heart. You will need to brace yourself for the dark and macabre. If abusive parents, gold digging, obnoxious daughters and sisters who are not the better ones are not your cup of tea, this would not be for you.
But for those who can stomach such things, you will be in for a treat. The style of writing, the tales that are told, it’s all worth it. You will be entertained; you will be gripped, and it will be hard to put down. You can lose yourself in the worlds, even as short as they are, and come away with a perspective of life you never thought of. You may even begin to appreciate your own life and treasures.
Pick up a copy today and immerse yourself in The Better Sister and Other Stories. You will not be disappointed.
I immensely enjoyed that each story is different from one another. They’re style is different, and I can guarantee you will find a story you like. Each character is as real as you or me and they pull at your heartstrings. Each story takes place in diverse setting never the same place twice; even when the setting for two is a house, they are vastly different, from squalor to cottage, there’s always something new.
That’s not to say this a book full of hope and laughter and happy endings. These stories are not for the faint of heart. You will need to brace yourself for the dark and macabre. If abusive parents, gold digging, obnoxious daughters and sisters who are not the better ones are not your cup of tea, this would not be for you.
But for those who can stomach such things, you will be in for a treat. The style of writing, the tales that are told, it’s all worth it. You will be entertained; you will be gripped, and it will be hard to put down. You can lose yourself in the worlds, even as short as they are, and come away with a perspective of life you never thought of. You may even begin to appreciate your own life and treasures.
Pick up a copy today and immerse yourself in The Better Sister and Other Stories. You will not be disappointed.
August 6, 2020
Life is no Fairytale
The Better Sister and other Stories is a collection of nine dark and twisted short stories by NZ writer Piper Mejia, who has had many short fiction works accepted to Australian and NZ anthologies, but this is her debut solo collection. Published by Breach, of which Mejia is a regular contributor to their BreachZine – an online magazine devoted to highlighting works by emerging Australian and NZ writers producing Sci-Fi, horror and dark fantasy.
Mejia describes The Better Sister as a collection exploring “the complexity of the sister-trio relationship in worlds where women struggle for a voice, a place to stand; and peace in themselves.”
If you’re looking for a fluffy, light read in these turbulent times, this collection is not it, it is very much on the dark spectrum of storytelling.
A slightly odd blend of some fantastical modern day fantasy stories mixed in with straight forward realist fiction, all of Mejia’s characters navigate complicated dark and unhealthy relations. The stories revolve around family relationships, an absentee father, a pregnant teen, gritty family life on the poverty line, struggling to get by, regrets of past mistakes and bad choices, alcoholism and murder.
So if you’re tired of happily ever after and looking for a decent helping of realism then dig right in to The Better Sister – or should that be, the Bitter Sister?
The Better Sister and other Stories is a collection of nine dark and twisted short stories by NZ writer Piper Mejia, who has had many short fiction works accepted to Australian and NZ anthologies, but this is her debut solo collection. Published by Breach, of which Mejia is a regular contributor to their BreachZine – an online magazine devoted to highlighting works by emerging Australian and NZ writers producing Sci-Fi, horror and dark fantasy.
Mejia describes The Better Sister as a collection exploring “the complexity of the sister-trio relationship in worlds where women struggle for a voice, a place to stand; and peace in themselves.”
If you’re looking for a fluffy, light read in these turbulent times, this collection is not it, it is very much on the dark spectrum of storytelling.
A slightly odd blend of some fantastical modern day fantasy stories mixed in with straight forward realist fiction, all of Mejia’s characters navigate complicated dark and unhealthy relations. The stories revolve around family relationships, an absentee father, a pregnant teen, gritty family life on the poverty line, struggling to get by, regrets of past mistakes and bad choices, alcoholism and murder.
So if you’re tired of happily ever after and looking for a decent helping of realism then dig right in to The Better Sister – or should that be, the Bitter Sister?
August 3, 2020
DELICIOUS BITES OF DARKNESS.
Just finished this new release!
This collection portrays family dynamics in its many forms. Sisters feature in each story, yet all three are not always present. Each story lingers, leaving the reader to ponder on its ending – often a surprise.
Piper’s use of language is masterful and in places pure magic and delight. She tackles subjects other authors avoid, and does so with grace and understanding. There is an honestly about the characters she portrays and as someone who has never had a sister, I feel the loss when reading of the strong bonds portrayed in this collection.
Piper Mejia is a skilled storyteller and I recommend this book to all readers, whether you have a sister or not!
Just finished this new release!
This collection portrays family dynamics in its many forms. Sisters feature in each story, yet all three are not always present. Each story lingers, leaving the reader to ponder on its ending – often a surprise.
Piper’s use of language is masterful and in places pure magic and delight. She tackles subjects other authors avoid, and does so with grace and understanding. There is an honestly about the characters she portrays and as someone who has never had a sister, I feel the loss when reading of the strong bonds portrayed in this collection.
Piper Mejia is a skilled storyteller and I recommend this book to all readers, whether you have a sister or not!
May 1, 2021
This is a collection of nine very well-written but emotionally demanding stories ranging from tear-jerker to horror. They cover a variety of settings and subject matter, but are thematically connected by unhealthy family relationships, usually involving a trio of sisters, some loving and supportive, some not. Some have fantastic elements, while others are straight-forward contemporary family dramas. Each one is gripping, hard to put down.
There are no happy endings in these stories, but if you don't mind the grim subject matter (parental abuse, spousal abuse, alcoholism, betrayal, a society caught in an endless war, ...) they can be a rewarding read. Particularly if you've ever had a sister, or wondered what it would be like to have one.
There are no happy endings in these stories, but if you don't mind the grim subject matter (parental abuse, spousal abuse, alcoholism, betrayal, a society caught in an endless war, ...) they can be a rewarding read. Particularly if you've ever had a sister, or wondered what it would be like to have one.
January 31, 2021
Piper accesses people and places in a way that has us hooked in from the start. Each story is a perfectly crafted vignette - threaded together by family. Makes one realize that life after all reveals surprises to us all.
Thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking - could that be ourselves in those stories???
Thoroughly enjoyable and thought provoking - could that be ourselves in those stories???
November 30, 2020
What a great book. Such a range in the stories, each with their own special twist. I loved the prize in the stories and the range of sisterly relationships Piper Mejia has explored in her stories. I really enjoyed this read!
February 20, 2023
An excellent collection of 'dark' tales with imaginative and exciting stories.
There are very effective and well thought out descriptions of events with stories that have subtle yet interesting overarching story arcs.
A sure sign that the author really is writing in her genre.
There are very effective and well thought out descriptions of events with stories that have subtle yet interesting overarching story arcs.
A sure sign that the author really is writing in her genre.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews