Bufflehead Sisters

by Patricia J. Delois

As an only child, Janet longs for a sister her parents are unable to give her. In kindergarten she meets Sophie, a strange and imaginative girl with a troubled family life. As friendship grows between the two girls, Janet believes her prayers have been answered, especially when members of her family embrace Sophie as one of their own.

Sophie's troubles continue to follow her through high school, and Janet stands by her "sister" until, in adulthood, she learns of a devastating secret Sophie has kept from her. Janet's world is turned upside down-and she discovers there may be a limit to what sisters should share.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Coming Of Age, Womens Fiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

Reviews

[Julie Blasofsel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Just keep in mind that the human heart is a dark and mysterious place. It takes a brave soul to explore the depths of it” (page 280)… and it takes a brave soul to read about that exploration as well, in Patricia J. Delois’ debut novel, Bufflehead Sisters! With such an innocuous title, I dove into reading my March book for The Book Hive Book Club with expectations of buffleheads, a species of birds, and the tender feeling I get when thinking of my own biological sister and of my fellow “Hive sisters” whom I’ve bonded with over the past three years! But my dive into the book soon proved into one of murky waters… This is not a warm and fuzzy story. This is a story with multiple mental health triggers as it follows Janet’s friendship with Sophie, who after experiencing a life-altering tragic event relies heavily on the love she sees in Janet’s family unit. Janet is left determined to help her best friend as Sophie’s behavior spirals out of control, ultimately into depths no one should go and causes secrets that when discovered, sends Janet down her own spiraling path. Balancing the storyline with heavy themes of violence vs love, loyalty vs betrayal, godly religion vs black magic, sexual desires vs moral aptitude, drugs vs sustenance, and addiction vs indifference, Delois proves to be a talented author to tackle such sensitive topics, but ultimately this is not a book I would haphazardly recommend and therefore only give it a 3-star rating.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say it's a three and a half star book. It was definitely an intriguing book, and the characters were developed well. However, the novel was slightly predictable. I think it was partly the predictability that kept me reading this novel non-stop; I wanted to see how it would happen.
Two girls meet in kindergarten and become fast friends. One girl comes from a very proper catholic household, while the other girl comes from a very destructive home. These girls grow up together in the 1960s and 70s. While the girls come from completely different living environments, they are able to take comfort in one another. The two girls form a close bond that almost no one can understand. One of the girls harbors a great secret from her best friend, and the truth is life shattering. The big secret that is revealed makes the readers think about how they might handle this particular situation and who to be sympathetic towards. It has some very disturbing parts, but overall it is a captivating novel. Be prepared to be uncomfortable if sex and drugs in the 60s and 70s bother you, because that is pretty much what the novel is made up of.

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Immediately after finishing the book, I had to reread. BUFFLEHEAD SISTERS takes place from the 1960s to the 1990s. As a period piece, attitudes about sex and slut shaming are fairly accurate, but I still cringe when I read it. Girls were blamed for their date rapes. What was she wearing? Was she drinking? Sexual positivity was not a thing, at least not openly.

Janet and Sophie have a sweet relationship in the beginning. Sophie reminded me of a Ramona the Pest without loving parents and how she might have looked for that love in highly dysfunctional ways. As awful as Sophie is sometimes, I couldn’t help to root for her. I had an easier time putting myself in shoes than in Janet’s, although I’m much more like Janet personality wise.

I would love a sequel, Amazon has one listed but I’ve had it on my wish list for almost 10 years and I don’t think it’s happening.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical story about two best friends- one comes from a good home while the other comes from dysfunction. The summary on the back of the book made it obvious to me what the plot twist was going to be. The author almost became annoying with the many bits of foreshadowing she insisted on including time and time again. First half of book was great; second was just too predictable.

[McGuffy Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an only child, Janet longs for a sister. In Kindergarten she meets Sophie, also an only child but very unlike herself. As is often the case, opposites attract. Janet and Sophie become inseparable.

Due to Sophie’s tragic home life and unavailable parents, she spends much of her childhood in Janet’s home. There they are dubbed “The Bufflehead Sisters” by Janet’s bird watching father. He teaches them about life and nature, while Janet’s mother is forced to take on the responsibility of Sophie’s morals and values, as well as Janet’s.

As the girls grow, they continue in opposite directions, though remaining as close as sisters. Janet tries to make healthy choices, while Sophie goes through one disastrous situation after another.

Finally reaching adulthood, Janet finds out things about Sophie, including secrets she long kept hidden from Janet. These secrets change everything Janet thought she knew about Sophie, their friendship, their “sisterhood”, and their lives both together and apart.

I was totally absorbed in this unique coming of age novel. At turns funny and heartbreaking, Bufflehead Sisters will touch you and affect you.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how to start this review. I loved the book but there were parts of it that really made me angry. Parts were predictable but like one of the main characters I too turned a blind eye and refused to see what was right in front of me because I didn't want it to be true.

Was the Dad a bad guy or was he just weak? I loved him because he wanted to take care of Sophie but his betrayal of his wife and daughter was unforgivable. The biggest issue I had with the book is that I felt like they made the Mom the villain to make it ok for him to sleep with his teenage daughter's friend. NOT OK...

With all of that ... I still loved the book. It kept me engaged and it was very hard to put down.

[Rae-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. Had a little trouble with the big "event", as far as being true to the character, but loved how situations were handled.

[Birdbeak · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has only read serious, boring, nonfiction & self help books prior, I found this book an absolute delight. A treasure from the thrift store. It does contain some heavy, emotional themes...sex and drugs, and some profanity, and dramaaa, but hand me my jumbo straw because I'm gonna slurp that right up.

I relate to Sophie and found her story and her freedom to be herself the most enjoyable. Some of the characters (men) are, of course, representative of the men many of us run into during our life and the only part I enjoyed with them is when one of them finally perished...however.. the universe showed him grace and made it swift "dead before he hit the ground"...

The plot is a bit predictable which is why I wouldn't give this 5 stars, but because of the characters, I would read again.

[Julissa Corripio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago but it’s always been what comes to mind when people ask what my favorite book is. This book completely enthralled me when I read it. I was excited to turn the page every time. The theme is a little mature so I do suggest to avoid if you don’t like adult themes; otherwise, I highly recommend.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading this one. Although I was frustrated with Sophie I tried to understand her actions given her home life as a young girl. But still you want to dislike her actions. I could sympathize with Janet’s protectiveness of her & her wrath at what could only have felt like an absolute betrayal. Good book.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very entertaining weekend read.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all. It was very predictable and read like a bad after school movie. Would not recommend.....

[TMGo]

Oct 2021 Enthusiatic Pollinators Book Club Read

[Katie Inabnit Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Not what I expected but I liked it.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was trash. I don't know why I finished reading it. I got it from a Little Free Library. I don't even want to pass it on. It was gross.

[Karyn Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bufflehead Sisters

Janet lives an ordinary life with an ordinary family, growing up against a backdrop of the Vietnam War and the growth of the drug culture. Her parents struggle for a balance between compassion and control. Janet yearns for a sister, a Thelma for her Louise. Then Sophie enters her life. Patricia DeLois has Janet describe Sophie as follows: "Her hair was a nest of blond curls that made me think of Goldilocks, and there was a smug look about her mouth that suggested she might have already helped herself to someone's porridge and found it just right." Turns out, this is actually foreshadowing of events to come in Sophie and Janet’s lives.

DeLois writes with a magic wand. "One day in late winter, Sophie suggested we dig our way to another country. Not China, she said--they would look for us there. We would dig a hole halfway to China, and then we would veer off toward Amsterdam."

DeLois enters the world of two children and shows the reader both how Sophie viewed her dysfunctional family and how Janet viewed her own parents as well as her relationship with the Sophie. The author is as adept at showing the child's view as she is the adolescent view. The imagery she creates is so realistic you'll think you're back in your high school lunchroom, hoping against hope a certain boy will sit with you and scorning the girls who have reputations. But this is an adult book that holds a mirror to the ways we judge others.

A coming of age story, a book about heartbreak and the ways women and men struggle with their wounds, and a tale of everyday lives, Bufflehead Sisters is all that. It is also a look at having friends who are different than you and how that affects your life and your character. You may see yourself in the pages.

There's something special about Sophie. Every one who meets her thinks so, though not in the same ways. This reader agrees, and probably not in the same way as you.

I found Bufflehead Sisters to be an enjoyable book. I cared about the characters and the conflicts they faced. I also looked again at the choices I’ve made in life.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was strange for me. I picked it up at one of those huge charity book sales; never heard of it (published by some unknown place called You Write On and it is a first edition catalogued in the British Library-looked a little strange) but it was cheap and it was about two girls who wanted to be sisters and has nothing to do with Britain-the author is actually from Maine I think. I was actually thinking of it for my middle grandchild but wanted to read it first. Having read it, I don't think it is for her-the girls early years were OK but when the author gets to the 70's-too much sex and drugs-Vietnam war era. That didn't bother me but some people would be turned off and I didn't want to give it to my granddaughter.
Two girls growing up together, one is the straight one and the other (due to some trauma in her life probably) gets pretty wild. I went back and forth as I read it trying to decide if I was enjoying it or if it was just getting on my nerves. The big secret was pretty obvious to me almost from the beginning but as the story wound down I felt my sympathy for Sophie returning. I always liked her, if at times it became a little difficult. Some funny dialogue between the characters and this is one I managed to sit down and actually get read in a few days which may be one reason why in the end I decided I liked it. I wish I was able to sit down with all books and read straight through but time often doesn't allow it.

[Jeffield · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story is about an only child Janet who desperately wants a sister. Janet meets Sophie in elementary school and due to Sophie's family life Sophie ends up living with Janet's family for a bit. They become best friends for life more like sisters really.

When I began reading this book my impression of it was way off which has probably negatively influenced my judgement of the book. When you read the jacket cover you know something bad will happen but the tone of the book is not what I was expecting. Something terrifying happens to one of the girls when she is young which sends her spiraling into destructive behaviours. These destructive behaviours, although not explicitly detailed, cover about half of the book which by the end I thought enough already. (If you don't like foul language be prepared. It is not the worst I have read but it is prevalent.)

Having said all of this I did want to keep reading. I would perhaps try this author again which is why I gave it a two star and not just one.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book very quickly. I have mentioned that I have been in a reading slump lately....this book brought me out of it. It held my attention from beginning to end.

Janet has always longed for a sister, but her mother could not have any more children. In elementary school, she meets Sophie. Sophie is mystical and engaging from the time we meet in her as a little girl, all the way up into her early adulthood. She is unpredictable, spontaneous and longs for a family that cares about her. Her mother is in a mental hospital after a breakdown, and her father, a doctor, is never home. Sophie longs to be loved. Janet and her family embrace her and she feels safe with them.

This is an amazing story. I never lost interest, the characters were real and likable, I didn't want the story to end. Towards the end of the book, I was on edge, wondering if Janet and Sophie's friendship was strong enough to withstand a terrible secret that Sophie has been hiding for years.

If you enjoy coming-of-age stories, this book will not disappoint. Highly recommended!

[Sharaesof2014 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about to little girl janet who always wanted a little sister that her mother cant never give to her. When Janet meets sofie its the best day of her life they practically are blood sisters until after 30 years later Janet finds out the sophie didnt feel like they were sisters after all.

The Connection i would use in this book is Text-to-self because i felt the same way that janet had when she met a bestfriend that felt like her sister i was in 1st grade and i met this girl named annette and ever since me and her have been bestfriends so we knew eachother for 8 years and we are still bestfriends.

I would recommend this book to anybody who likes books that have a big conflict and if you like being shocked or if you like books with happiness and good situations in the book. I would give this book 5 stars because this was a very good book and i think anybody can realate to it :-)

[Sherese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written story about two best friends who are more like sisters, Janet and Sophie.
Janet and Sophie meet in kindergarden and are basically inseparable despite Sophie's eccentric , erratic and later in her teen years outrageous selfish and morally challenged behavior. The two girls are thick as thieves despite and perhaps because of their parents until one relevation destroys their lifelong friendship.

The big problem with this novel is that so-called "twist" is obvious from the start. The only person who doesn't see it coming is Janet but the reader knows what's happening after the first chapter. Maybe Ms. Delois did this on purpose or maybe she just couldn't think of anything else to use as a catalyst to drive the storyline. I believe this is Ms. Delois first novel, so I'm hoping this is one area that she will show improvement on in her next book as I look forward to reading it!

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet has always wanted a sister and her father has always wanted a large family but due to health issues, Janet's mom is just not able to have more children.

In Kindergarden, Janet makes friends with the most unlikeliest classmates, Sophie. Sophie is everything that Janet is not. Janet is soft spoken, cared for, and comes from a "good" home. Sophie is none of those things and due to several family events- ends up spending a good deal of her time at Janet's house.

The story is how the two "sisters" grew up. Sometimes in the same house, sometimes seperate but always close.

It took me only 2 days to read this book so it did capture and keep my attention although the ending was predictable and there were things I think that could have been brought out in the story that wasn't.

All in all, 3.5

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book Bufflehead sisters by patricia J. Delois is about a little girl named janet. Janet had always wanted a sister but her mom could had never had one. When she was younger she had met someone named sophie. Sophie had parents who really care much about them. so they somehow became sisters.

I can make a text-to-text. I can make a text-to-text because it reminds me about this book I read about this girl being adopted by this couple because the mom couldn't have anymore childern. It reminds me of the book because sophie is just the in the other book.

I gave it 4 stars. The reason why I gave it four stars is because it was pretty good. I loved the characters because they were realistic. I would recomend it to everyone.

[JoAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite type of book, so I am biased. But I LOVED this book. I could identify so much with the characters. What only child does not long for a sibling? Who is not familiar with overly judgemental hypocritical mothers? If you are Catholic, hasn't Catholic guilt played a role in your life? Who has not had a best friend who you totally adored only to find out your perception was all wrong? And last, how many of us can related to missing something that was right in front of our noses along, but no matter what you just could never see it?

Now three days later, I still find myself thinking about these characters and analyzing the why's and what if's. I want to know what happened next. I don't want to let them go -- that's my idea of a good book!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. It started out very good but then quickly became fairly predictable. The backcover reports that this book will make you think about the true meaning of family. I don't know if that was the case. What it did make me think about was the extremes that people will go through to keep from facing reality. Can't say this was a book I'd pick up again. It was full of profanity, drugs and alcohol abuse and sexual behavior by teenagers. Unfortunately, it was yet another book that I find myself wondering why I read it and how it is going to change my thinking about people and life.

[Janie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story begins with a couple of canny details similar to things in my life in first grade -- the girl who's always getting punished for her colorful embellishments in art time at school (me), the girl whose home life is sad and violent (my classmate), and a friendship that tradition calls unlikely. It was enough to get it off the shelf and into my checkout pile. Similarities ended a few chapters later.

This one turns its own pages.

It was interesting to read in light of what Stephen King wrote in On Writing about the realities of local life in Maine and the outrage of some readers that he would write about such dirty lives and use such dirty language.

[Vanessa Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this little gem up at the Borders going out of business sale. At 60% off, I thought it was worth a shot & I am so glad I did! It is like watching a soap opera while reading Judy Blume's "Summer Sisters." So.much.scandal!

I had temporarily fallen out of love for reading so after the Hunger Games series, I wanted something else to capture my attention and bring back my love for reading. This book did not disappoint. It is by no means the best book ever, but it served its purpose of entertaining me and wrapping me up in the lives of the characters.

If you go on vacation, don't forget to pack this book!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of two young girls who become friends in kindergarten and grow up together. Sophie comes from a troubled home and is embraced by Janet as a sister and taken under Janet's father's wing as well. Janet's mom isn't so thrilled with Sophie...she has a woman's intution that Sophie may be trouble. There is some foreshadowing in the beginning and the ending isn't terribly hard to figure out, since Sophie hints and clues all along, but Janet is too naive to understand that her father and Sophie have begun an affair. An interesting read, but none of the characters are very likable and the ending was hard to stomach.

[Carrie Milkanin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty graphic (sex).....but it wasn't just to elicit a thrill. It helped explain the main character, Sophie. She has an extremely troubled childhood, latches on to a sweet friend, Janet. Janet's home seems idyllic except for an overbearing Mother. The story follows these two main characters as they progress from the age of 5 through mid 30's. They are so opposite, yet remain the best of friends, even through a seemingly impossible situation. I loved the author's ability to transport you to the late 60's and early 70's...the time of free love and angst with Vietnam. Excellent writing, great plot....a real page turner.

[Lyndsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn between two or three stars. I gave it three since I was into it enough to read it all in one night. I was really liking this story until about halfway through. The writing style changed. The characters changed. I was waiting close to 300 pages or so for the main character to get her head out of the sand. Language got pretty foul which I felt was unnecessary, since the first half didn't have and didn't need it. Interesting premise....but I dont think I would tell my sister to read it like (at the beginning) I thought I would.