Sisters

by Debby Mayer

Ingrid, an aspiring artist, takes in her young half sister, Stephanie, when the girl's parents are killed in an automobile accident

267 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1982

About the author

Debby Mayer is a writer and talker in San Diego, California. In addition to Riptides, she has published a novel, Sisters; numerous short stories; and reams of journalism. She received two grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts: one in nonfiction, for “Therapy Dogs,” an excerpt from Riptides, and one in fiction for “The Secretary,” a short story published in The New Yorker. She holds an MA in creative writing from City College, where Sisters won the DeJur Award. Her day jobs have been arts administration (Poets & Writers, Inc.) and editing (Publications Office, Bard College). More at debbymayer.com.

Reviews

[Oolookitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a young woman's father dies in a car accident, she finds that she's inherited his house, his car... and her 9-year-old half-sister. A realistic and convincing story of the struggle to maintain her own life and career in New York City while taking on her troubled younger sister, and of the impact this relationship has on her romantic relationships and friendships. Stephanie, the younger sister, is a convincingly troubled yet often charming character, and her struggles as she confronts a whole new life -- living with a sister instead of her parents in a loft in New York City instead of a sprawling house in Vermont -- are well-handled.

Definitely not a sugar-coated look at a difficult situation, but there's plenty of humor and heart here, and it's a shame that Mayer apparently has published only this novel; would love to see more from her.

[Brenda Shufelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after reading the author's much more recent compelling memoir, Riptides and Solaces Unforeseen. A fiction book about a young intrepid painter in NYC living the life who is suddenly saddled with responsibility. It stayed unerringly on the main character as she changes her life and her life changes her. There were some details that were charmingly dated to the 1982 publishing date but I really enjoyed reading it.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one although at some points it was kind of boring. I liked how it shows, that sibling bond is not always positive.