Sunday, January 08, 2012

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

One review described this book as a crime novel for people who don't like crime novels.  Not quite sure what the means, but I assumed it was a crime novel with more of a story behind it.

I thought it sounded interesting, and I'm a fan of mysteries by British authors.

I found the book to be very readable, it held my interest.  But in the end, I was very disappointed with the story.  I was so disappointed I was angry with what happened in the end.  To me, it felt like very bad storytelling.  I don't quite know how to describe what happened without completely giving away what happened, so we'll just leave it as, I didn't like it.

Beatrice returns home to London after learning her younger sister, Tess, has disappeared.  Her search for Tess causes her to re-examine her own live.  Tess was a free spirit, an artist and in comparison, Beatrice feels as if her own life is stagnant.  Because having a stable job and relationship are bad things?  Have I mentioned I didn't like this book all that much?  I don't quite understand why she was so in awe of Tess, who was still a student (she may have actually quit school - it's been a few months since I read the book) and she was pregnant as the result of an affair with her married professor.  All things to admire -- not.

As an artist, I grow so tired of the portrayal of the irresponsible art student.  This is why people don't respect artists.  News flash - it is possible to be creative, pay your bills and successfully use birth control.  It may not be as much fun - but it's possible.

Beatrice quits her job in America and ends her relationship with her boyfriend and becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to her sister.  She uncovers so many secrets.  Tess discovered her unborn baby has a disease so she agrees to go through some experimental treatments hoping to cure the baby and preventing it from dying the same horrible death as her brother. 

But as Beatrice gets closer to the truth of her sister's disappearance, it becomes clear that her decision making skills are not much better than those of her younger sister. 

In the end, I felt as if these sisters both made very bad choices which put them in dangerous situations.  A little bit of thought, careful planning, and caution could have prevented so much tragedy, but then again, there wouldn't have been a book if that had happened.  I simply don't enjoy stories that involve women lacking basic survival skills.   And then the twist at the end -- had I not been reading this on my Kindle, I probably would have thrown it at the wall I was so angry.

Disclaimer:  I read this in January, I might be fuzzy on some details, but I think my general impression remains accurate.