The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman
Title: The Story Sisters
Written by Alice Hoffman
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Shaye Areheart Books (June 2, 2009)
Reading Level: Typical Alice Hoffman magical realism, more in the adult vein
Rated: 2.5/5 which means I liked it okay
Dear Ms. Hoffman, Hi there. I hope you are not reading this. Let me assure you, I am a NOBODY. I haven’t written anything (well, I haven’t published anything). I do have a degree in English, but it‘s from a small university, nowhere of note. I am just a lowly nobody who is not worthy of your attention. Okaythanksbye! ~ Heather
So, in case you can’t tell from my missive to Ms. Hoffman, I was not a big fan of The Story Sisters.
The Story Sisters follows the lives of three sisters, Elv, Megan, and Claire Story, and their mother Annie. When the girls were very young, Elv created a whole other world for them to live in. She created a whole history, a language, and a code by which to live. But when Elv has to do the unthinkable to protect Claire; she spirals out of control into years of drug addiction, rebellion and self-destructive behavior. Tragedy and misfortune haunt the family for years and years, until it becomes almost too much to bear. Elv is committed to a rehab center by her parents, a simple spring drive through the country turns deadly, a fatal illness claims a loved one and there is betrayal after betrayal. When the last bit of the novel turns to Claire; a girl so damaged by the family’s terrible hardships that she won’t even speak, to anyone, the small glimmer of hope and goodness that comes with her story is almost too little too late.
The unrelenting sadness and calamity of the Story sisters lives were the main part of my problem with this book. It was like a bad soap opera; just when things start to look up, someone dies, someone gets sick, someone goes to jail, death, sickness, jail, death, sickness…you get the idea. It was just one bad, horrible, terrible thing after another. It came to the point where a new character was introduced and I wondered when he would die.
Hoffman’s prose is just as lovely as ever, as are the lovely bits of magical realism she throws in, but it’s just not enough this time. One of the few bright spots were the girls’ grandmother who lives in Paris, and her friend Madam Cohen, who come together to help save Claire. If only they could have saved them all! The Story Sisters simply outlive their welcome about halfway through the book and I was so disappointed because the premise sounded so good. And I love Alice Hoffman’s writing so much.
One other quibble; I didn’t like feeling left hanging at the end. And at this, I give a SPOILER ALERT because I just have to get this OFF MY CHEST. Drag your mouse across to read this.
At this point, Elv has been estranged from her family for years. Claire is getting married and invites her sister and her niece. Here it is; a beautiful opportunity, the chance to see these two sisters reconcile, to have some freaking HEALING here and what happens? We don’t even get to see the sisters talk. They approach each other, they see each other, it’s about to happen, they are RIGHT THERE…and Hoffman cuts to grandmother and Madam Cohen. To which I said WTF and threw the book out of the tub. Really. I did.
This was another co-read with Kailana of The Written Word, who liked it better than I did. Here is her review and here are a few questions she had for me.
1. How does this book compare to other Hoffman novels? Would you recommend this one or are there others you would recommend first?
I think you should read it. If you love Alice Hoffman, magical realism, or are just curious about the book. Give it a fair shot; you may like it more than I did. It could have been a mood thing with me, or my violent reaction to Elv. It could have been timing. But definitely give it a read. It did have its good parts. I recommend Blackbird House (LOVED IT), The Probable Future, Practical Magic, and her YA novels Aquamarine and Incantation. They are fantastic.
2. During our conversation while you were reading this book, you mentioned that you didn’t like Elv. What were your complaints with her? Did your opinion change by the end?
She was the biggest, shallowest, most self-centered character I’ve ever seen. She didn’t care about anyone or anything, other than herself and her horrible liar of a boyfriend. I’m sure Hoffman is trying to show the perils of drug-use and sexual abuse, but wow, she was one piece of work. I admit though, later in the book, she did manage to redeem herself slightly. I obviously can’t say why, it’s too big of a spoiler, but yes, by the end my opinion did change.
3. Do you feel that the use of magical realism enhanced the story? In what way?
I think magical realism should enhance the story, give and not take away. I’m not so sure that the magical realism here really added anything. Sure, we have Elv’s fairy tales that she spins for her sisters, but there is no evidence that the world she constructs is in any way real. The first mention of something tangible, something real, is at the end, where it comes off as an afterthought. It was surprising to me, since Hoffman is one of the masters of magical realism, and yet another disappointment.
Also reviewed by:
You are HILARIOUS! I think your English degree is significant, no matter how lowly the school might have been.
I also think that your review was great! I'll be honest, I have so much to read that this book wasn't high on my priorities of "TBR," so you really helped me eliminate it from my list for now. Your review here isn't heavy-handed and unfounded, so I don't know that you need fear!
By the way, love your personal voice here.
I haven't heard wonderful things about this but I think I may be intrigued enough by everyone's disappointment in this latest go back and check out the backdrop of her previous work as this is a let down from that. Thanks for the honest review.
Your note to Alice Hoffman is hilarious! Sorry this was a stinker for you.
The whole genre is one I generally dislike, so I won't be reading this. I loved your note to Hoffman! And great job on the review. It's definitely not too long.
I've got a galley of this I received through a giveaway from @ReadItForward and to be honest with so many other books in my pile that I've got schedule I have to say I may not get to this one. Particularly since I've not read wholly positive review of it.
Sorry this particular read didn't do much for you, but I suppose we always encounter such things from time to time. Better luck next time right?
Your note to AH is definitely classic. Your note in the spoiler made me laugh out loud. Too funny. I hate that this book doesn't seem to be living up to expectations. Practical Magic is one of my favorite movies. I have always wanted to read some more AH, but she pretty much ruined that for me with her infamous outburst and half-a** apology, if you can call it one. I like that you also included Kailana's thoughts since they were different from your own. Great review!
Love the note to Alice Hoffman – that's great! You are braver than I am.
(I didn't read this, but I'm not planning to review any of AH's books on my blog … I've got enough problems.) Sorry this one didn't work out for you.
you crack me UP!! Love this!
It was the soap opera quality of the book I didn't like, too. Just too much happened to one family, I think. It was one thing after another!
Loved this review. I am a huge Hoffman fan but in recent years I think she's gotten a little too, as another reviewer put it, soap opera-y. Your discussion was a far more hilarious way of putting it.
I have to say that my personal favorites are two Hoffman oldies: Turtle Moon and Second Nature–have you read either?
-Connie @ Constance Reader.
Why thank you! You describe what I was going for, so I feel better. I was nervous about this review.
I love her early work. She has some amazing books back there.
This genre is hit or miss for me, it's not my favorite. And thanks, I'm glad it wasn't too long.
I probably would have put it off too, if it wasn't for Kailana wanting to buddy read it. I don't regret reading it, not really, I think it had potential that wasn't realized and was frustrated by that.
I will give Hoffman another try, but I may go back to early works!
I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt after her shenanigans, and not let it affect my opinion of her work. Too bad it didn't live up to her previous works!
LOL I just hope she doesn't see this review!!
Thanks!
Definitely! It was just too much.
I read several reviews yesterday, as I was preparing my review, where people said she's gotten too soap opera-y. I wonder why.
I have not read either of those books, but the next time I feel the need to read a Hoffman, I will get my hands on one of them!
I haven't read much Hoffman, and I won't be starting with this one!
Seriously, great and honest review–I enjoyed reading it.
*smiles*
Kim
I've only read a couple books by Hoffman (have tried a couple others and couldn't get into them) and judging from my experience and your reaction to this book, I'm thinking perhaps she just isn't the author for me. A notable exception would be Blackbird House, which was really a collection of inter-connected stories. That I liked.
I like your disclaimer at the start of your review. It seems to be appropriate after the Twitter craziness!
I love that you had to add the note to AH to avoid a twitter evisceration!
I like this review & the exchange of questions. I should have stolen your idea for the safety note before beginning my review!