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The Secret Sisters
Exploring the timeless themes of family, self, misfortune, and hope that have made the novels of Anna Quindlen and Sue Miller bestsellers, Joni Rodgers's moving and powerful tale tells the story of three women bound together by loss and set free by love.
Pia feels the walls of her life closing in around her, until she discovers a strangely sensual world that leads her to a new existence.
Lily, Pia's brash, tough-talking sister, makes a tragic mistake that leaves her incarcerated, body and soul. But when she finds the last thing she expects—love—she is at last able to face the past.
Beth, married to Pia and Lily's brother, has never been able to admit her own failure as a mother. Finally forced to confront a tragedy of her own making, she discovers that the truth can set her free.
Pia feels the walls of her life closing in around her, until she discovers a strangely sensual world that leads her to a new existence.
Lily, Pia's brash, tough-talking sister, makes a tragic mistake that leaves her incarcerated, body and soul. But when she finds the last thing she expects—love—she is at last able to face the past.
Beth, married to Pia and Lily's brother, has never been able to admit her own failure as a mother. Finally forced to confront a tragedy of her own making, she discovers that the truth can set her free.
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
40 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Joni Rodgers
25 books33 followersNYT bestselling author Joni Rodgers was born into a family of gospel/bluegrass musicians and grew up on stage, opening for huge-haired country music legends of the 60s and 70s. She continued performing until 1994, when she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and used the chemo downtime to complete her first two novels, both of which were published to critical acclaim. Joni's memoir, Bald in the Land of Big Hair (Harper Collins 2001), garnered glowing reviews around the world, was excerpted in Good Housekeeping, condensed by Reader’s Digest, and is still in print after ten years. It also launched Joni's public speaking career and brought her to the attention of celebrities and others who began asking her to help them tell their stories. She's known on both coasts as a ghostwriter, book doctor and memoir guru who applies the fine art of fiction to the creation of well-crafted narrative nonfiction.
Between novels and ghostwriting projects, Joni volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and blogs about books and publishing on "Boxing the Octopus". Married to jet plane mechanic/wine maker Gary Rodgers since 1983, Joni is the proud mother of two fine young adults. She lives in Houston, Texas. Her latest book debuted at #6 on the NYT bestseller list.
“A mix of Moly Ivins' blowsy wit and Anna Quindlen's suburban logic...Rodgers manages the rare literary feat of being funny and painful in one urgent breath.”
~ Entertainment Weekly
Between novels and ghostwriting projects, Joni volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and blogs about books and publishing on "Boxing the Octopus". Married to jet plane mechanic/wine maker Gary Rodgers since 1983, Joni is the proud mother of two fine young adults. She lives in Houston, Texas. Her latest book debuted at #6 on the NYT bestseller list.
“A mix of Moly Ivins' blowsy wit and Anna Quindlen's suburban logic...Rodgers manages the rare literary feat of being funny and painful in one urgent breath.”
~ Entertainment Weekly
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
July 6, 2012
I HATED the ending! It was such a let down. I was pissed honestly and it didn't fit in. I felt like I was just left hanging. ugh.
June 17, 2015
'The Secret Sisters', at first, has a tone of stream of consciousness. Each chapter titled for the person who is thinking, talking, and emoting. Then Dalphine steps in and changes the whole entire tone of the entire book, story, and parable. Without Dalphine, you don't have this book. Things get exciting, literally, when this character hits the pages. She's like Barbra Streisand's character in Meet the Fockers. Way unabashed, out there with the dildos (yes sex objects for pleasure) and she coaches people. The author's afterward to this book really enlightens the reader as to the purpose of her choices for eroticism. It all makes sense and makes this book a good enough read for a couple of days. Granted you could read it faster. But just let it sink in and it makes perfect sense. Its about resurrection! Very interesting theme and concept built around rebirth and moving forward in life. Here's what the author had to say, "[w]e are the living, dear reader, and the past is dead. Fear, denial, guilt, ancient dogmas, glorified tragedies, and antiquated hate will imprison us there, until we make the conscious decision to embrace joy and rise again." She demonstrates in three, perhaps more, very different scenarios and through three very different people. She does it very well.
Another insight: "The title 'The Secret Sisters' comes from the Easter account in the Gospel of Luke. The second morning after Jesus was crucified, the Secret Sisters - Mary, Joanna, and Magdalene - went to his tomb, stricken, terrified, and bereft. There they were confronted by angels, who asked them a question that still resonates: 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?'" Interestingly enough however, Rodgers (the author), also writes about another form of secret sisters. The ones who use to gather surreptitiously, without their husbands' knowledge. They would gather to talk about their sexual desires, needs, concerns, and how to do things to make themselves and their husband's satisfied. Based on the tone of the story, I think the latter is the better comparison. The discovery of oneself through self expression with the one person you trust love etc., whether its husband, fellow friend, or a stranger that turns out to present an awakening.
Another insight: "The title 'The Secret Sisters' comes from the Easter account in the Gospel of Luke. The second morning after Jesus was crucified, the Secret Sisters - Mary, Joanna, and Magdalene - went to his tomb, stricken, terrified, and bereft. There they were confronted by angels, who asked them a question that still resonates: 'Why do you seek the living among the dead?'" Interestingly enough however, Rodgers (the author), also writes about another form of secret sisters. The ones who use to gather surreptitiously, without their husbands' knowledge. They would gather to talk about their sexual desires, needs, concerns, and how to do things to make themselves and their husband's satisfied. Based on the tone of the story, I think the latter is the better comparison. The discovery of oneself through self expression with the one person you trust love etc., whether its husband, fellow friend, or a stranger that turns out to present an awakening.
September 6, 2008
The characters in this book were a pleasant surprise from the ordinary. I loved the description of the items in the antique shop and their relavance to the lives of the people that took them home. Super fast reading, I found this in the thrift store, what a gem, now I can look for more Joni Rodgers reading....
September 15, 2009
This book is about two sisters and their sister-in-law. All three have very different lives. Pia is a very successful business woman until her husband dies. Lily is in prison for killing her neice in a car accident and Beth is the church going mother of the neice that was killed.
You'd think a book about these three characters would be interesting but I found it boring. Each character grew in their own right but there wasn't much interaction between the three. It was almost like 3 separate short stories. The style of writing was different depending on which sister you were reading about. I found this more annoying than anything. The timeline didn't make much sense. Lily keeps a journal with how many days she has been in jail and that timeline didn't quite match up with Pia's which she uses her husbands death to mark her timeline. It's a pretty short read for the 7 or so years that were covered. There's another woman that appears towards the end of the book that didn't really seem to fit in even though so many chapters were spent on her. Then at the end, the book just ended. There was a short blurb about how each sister ended up. It felt forced.
After writing this review, I almost feel like changing my rating to one star. I really wouldn't recommend this book to anybody. My mom says it sounds interesting so she wants to read it, we'll see what she thinks.
You'd think a book about these three characters would be interesting but I found it boring. Each character grew in their own right but there wasn't much interaction between the three. It was almost like 3 separate short stories. The style of writing was different depending on which sister you were reading about. I found this more annoying than anything. The timeline didn't make much sense. Lily keeps a journal with how many days she has been in jail and that timeline didn't quite match up with Pia's which she uses her husbands death to mark her timeline. It's a pretty short read for the 7 or so years that were covered. There's another woman that appears towards the end of the book that didn't really seem to fit in even though so many chapters were spent on her. Then at the end, the book just ended. There was a short blurb about how each sister ended up. It felt forced.
After writing this review, I almost feel like changing my rating to one star. I really wouldn't recommend this book to anybody. My mom says it sounds interesting so she wants to read it, we'll see what she thinks.
December 15, 2011
Bought this second hand from a girl on my street who was having a book sale due to a move & picked this out - for $1.00!!! LOVED IT!!!
Basically it's the story of 3 sisters: one who's in jail for killing her sister's child, one who's widowed (and develops arogophobia after she remarries). The 3rd sister, the one who lost her child, works in a funeral home with her hubby, offering comfort in God, though she is a non-believer due to her own twists of fate.
This book was suprisingly erotic and flowed well with each story line. The sister in jail's story was comprised through diary entries and phone calls: yet it worked beautifully. DEF recommend this book!!
Basically it's the story of 3 sisters: one who's in jail for killing her sister's child, one who's widowed (and develops arogophobia after she remarries). The 3rd sister, the one who lost her child, works in a funeral home with her hubby, offering comfort in God, though she is a non-believer due to her own twists of fate.
This book was suprisingly erotic and flowed well with each story line. The sister in jail's story was comprised through diary entries and phone calls: yet it worked beautifully. DEF recommend this book!!
January 5, 2010
Yuck. Disjointed and weird with completely disconnected characters who all were hard to like or relate to. Their motivatins didn't make sense nor did their actions in unrealitic circumstances. It started well so I thought maybe just the middle needed work and it would round off in the end but it did not. It was sadly the only book on my 3 1/2 hour train ride or I wouldn't have even finished it. Sum up this review by saying take a pass on this book even thought I own a copy and I'd be happy to give it away for free!!!
March 26, 2015
Do not waste your time!
I can't believe I finished this book. The story line lacked a direction. I'm not sure what this was about other than some sex scenes that wanted to be tied to the story line but were not as the story line was unclear. Perhaps that was the point of this book - to have these sexual scenes. Awful, awful book!
I think I kept reading thinking that there had to be more. Towards the end a story somewhat develops but then it ends in a very choppy way. I just kept thinking that there had to be a story, that if I waited long enough a story would develop but it did not.
I can't believe I finished this book. The story line lacked a direction. I'm not sure what this was about other than some sex scenes that wanted to be tied to the story line but were not as the story line was unclear. Perhaps that was the point of this book - to have these sexual scenes. Awful, awful book!
I think I kept reading thinking that there had to be more. Towards the end a story somewhat develops but then it ends in a very choppy way. I just kept thinking that there had to be a story, that if I waited long enough a story would develop but it did not.
August 17, 2015
I really liked this book at first, because the characters are so real. Each one of the women were completely relatable to me, in completely different ways. Then... in came Dalphine. Huh ??? It was like the book did an abrupt about-face. A sex-addict con-artist (I think)? Luckily, Rodgers kept interspersing the story with the main characters' stories. And Lily's end chapter? Loved it. That made the book. I forgive her for Dalphine. Read it anyway.
One note: I Hated the cover. Really boring looking. I only picked this up because I LOVED "Bald in the Land of Big Hair"
One note: I Hated the cover. Really boring looking. I only picked this up because I LOVED "Bald in the Land of Big Hair"
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November 22, 2013I have spent the last couple of years trying to find this book! I had gotten it out of the library and read it. I have to say it remains one of the most haunting, enraging, most hated books I have ever read. Given half a chance I would reread it, then most likely set it on fire (That was what I had wanted to do the first time). I am sad to say I want to reread it because I clearly remember the anger I felt at wasting a day reading it.
December 28, 2012
It was...unexpected. It did not progress the way I thought it would.
I guess it was just too realistic for me in the way that it's about a family who is deeply struggling and in a lot of trouble, but no one really helps each other out.
It was well-written and Rodgers has a lot of interesting things to say about life, humanity, and being a woman.
I'd recommend it.
I guess it was just too realistic for me in the way that it's about a family who is deeply struggling and in a lot of trouble, but no one really helps each other out.
It was well-written and Rodgers has a lot of interesting things to say about life, humanity, and being a woman.
I'd recommend it.
October 20, 2012
This book was just ok. Lily was the most interesting but it would have been nice to see her out of prison. Beth's story was sort of pointless & Pia's was just bizarre.
January 13, 2015
Dysfunctional family at its best!
June 16, 2017
This is going to be tough. Frankly, this book did not make a lot of sense. 3 main characters (hence the sisters with one actually a sister-in-law), one dead husband, and one sex-crazed fourth lady/con-artist/shopkeeper. This book covers a lot of ground without covering much of anything. I'm not sure I have ever read anything so disjointed. 2 stars for interesting sexual fantasies (be warned as they are pretty lurid) but I wouldn't waste money on this one. I'm still pondering what the author was trying to say.
IG: @bookbimbo
IG: @bookbimbo
October 9, 2024
Ugh. I hated this book. I felt like I was being groomed for erotica. The story was about the lives of 3 women. 2 sisters and a sister-in-law. Parts of this book really showed amazing insights and was just beautiful in a sad way. Then there is this just hinting at erotic madness. Anyway, I don't recommend it. I feel there is a book for everyone, so try it 😊 anyways and let me know what you think.
#Thelibraryoflisacoltjarvis #whatareyoureading
#Thelibraryoflisacoltjarvis #whatareyoureading
September 2, 2018
It was interesting to read that the characters were conceived of independent of one another then merged in this book, as I felt a disconnect as I read. I couldn’t get in deep enough with any one character, but wanted to. The relationships were odd, especially between Sonny and Beth, so I was surprised to find them close and laughing at the end.
February 8, 2019
I didn't care for this book. The characters weren't likable and I felt like the story didn't really go anywhere.
March 20, 2024
I finished it in hopes the story would pick up. It was just all over the place and confusing at times
August 15, 2010
If you're looking for a quick book to read on a rainy weekend . . . this is the book for you!
Overall, the characters are very flat and their story lines are somewhat boring. The characters are difficult to connect with or even to be moved by. The novel abruptly jumps between the three stories (each sister is given her own storyline) making it even more difficult to really connect with the characters and their experiences.
I quit half way through . . . I couldn't even finish it!
Overall, the characters are very flat and their story lines are somewhat boring. The characters are difficult to connect with or even to be moved by. The novel abruptly jumps between the three stories (each sister is given her own storyline) making it even more difficult to really connect with the characters and their experiences.
I quit half way through . . . I couldn't even finish it!
December 4, 2008
Quick read, fun and interesting. Three women living very different lives, but held together my blood and tragedy. So, how could I say "fun"??? Because there are some lighter moments, some sexy scenes, some interesting conversations, etc. A fourth female character, an antiques dealer, who adds quite a bit of mischief.
January 24, 2009
This book is interesting - it's at times funny, at times poignant, at times quirky and sometimes soft porn! I found all of the characters to be so deeply flawed that parts were hard to read. It's about fear and what that does to people...and seduction and denial and resurrecting one's self. Worthwhile book to read if it's right for you (if that makes sense!).
February 10, 2009
wish there was a 3.5 star.. its almost i REALLY liked it. i wish some of the story line would have continued. didnt care for the last two chpts tho.. it skipped too much and a yeah to the sort of soft porn. more erotica... DAMN..
no blatant references to 'throbbing' members but you sure knew what the author was talking about!! hahaha
really liked the transformation of character Lily
no blatant references to 'throbbing' members but you sure knew what the author was talking about!! hahaha
really liked the transformation of character Lily
June 2, 2008
This book was just OK - an easy read. I hoped for more of a dynamic between the 3 sisters but the 3 lives were all separate with very little interaction. One of the sister's led a life that was a little "out there" for my taste.
March 17, 2009
this book is very good!!! The emotions it evokes into is incredible.... though i had to take a small break because the emotions were affecting me far to much....But over all it was a very good read that makes u look at your life and who's in it
January 8, 2012
I was surprised that so many people did not care for this book. Personally, I found it very enjoyable. It was full of sadness, yet it was interesting to see how each sister had to redefine themself after tragedy and loss. I look forward to discussing this at book club!
February 22, 2012
The book is an easy read, you get sucked in and are eager to find out what happens with the women. The author leaves many things unsaid, so you feel like you never really get to know the women. The ending was very dissapointing. Overall, not a bad read.
April 2, 2012
The book started out normal and I thought i was going to enjoy it. Then towards the middle things got VERY strange! I did not even consider that this book would be like that. I still don't exactly get why it was called "The Secret Sisters". Would not tell people to read this book!
February 12, 2013
Odd. Loved Lily. Related to both Pia, as a widow, and Beth, as a mom who lost her child. But the whole thing with Dalphine was just weird. Best part was when Lily went off in her hearing about what a monster Easter was.
April 21, 2013
If Fifty Shades of Gray is to erotic for you then this book is not for you. BUT after reflection I can understand why she used the use of erotica to teach about anxiety/panic disorder(s) and the manipulation that can occur with the disorders she touched on.
July 19, 2014
I'm so happy it's alright not to finish something once started. I have no idea what happens to the three women in this book and I really don't care where they end up. Recomended reading for somone with time to waste.
April 1, 2019
I'm so extremely confused about whether or not I liked this book. It was so twisted, but I was also so absorbed to find out what happened next. I appreciate the fact that it gave me a lot to think about, but it was way too confusing for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews