Blue Sisters: A Read with Jenna Pick: A Novel

Beautifully written but a read that will have you feeling a vast ray of emotions. Would not recommend if you are in a negative head space.

There are many great books that aren’t about sunshine and butterflies. I can handle it. But, with nonfiction that covers the unpleasantness of life, there isn’t a screw turning to make sure we are getting the point. If the screw is in the deft hand of a magnificent fiction writer, it can gut you. To be clear, I don’t feel actually gutted here but I do feel sad about these imaginary people whose lives should be good but are so bad instead. When it comes to Lucky, I have met that girl and feel for her. Outside beauty. Inside hollow. Pouring in whatever is around to fill the space or deaden it. Bonnie is my favorite. Driven, disciplined, successful but molded too tightly in the form of a boxer that her soul doesn’t have space for nurturing. We know our shares of Bonnies as well. Nicky. To say her end was a tragedy is an understatement. Then, there is always an Avery. The one who carries burdens like an adult, doesn’t check out, but probably wishes she had a loving mommy’s shoulder to cry on. Very flawed, very real characters. Pacing is too slow at times, but this is about character building not thrilling. I think I’ll go outside now and watch the butterflies feed on the last of my zinnias. Many thanks to Random House Publishing—Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this eARC.