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There are currently 40 member reviews
for The Flower Sisters
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Dorothy S. (Carrollton, TX)
The Flower Sisters
This debut historical fiction novel based on the tragic Bond Dance Hall explosion of 1928 is a multigenerational masterpiece. Anderson populates Possum Flats with a cast of endearing characters living out their lives with painfully deep emotional and physical scars from that fateful night. The devastating, mysterious details of the tragedy are revealed through flashbacks by the twin Flower sisters, Rose and Violet, and other prominent townspeople. Now 1978, Rose's granddaughter, Daisy, an intern for the town paper, is obsessed with getting the scoop on the dance hall explosion for the 50th anniversary. Through interviews Daisy delves into the compelling backstory on the upbringing and choices of the victims and survivors of the 1928 explosion. The Flower Sisters, a twisting, psychological mystery, is a study of twin connections, the search for identity, and survivor guilt. The tragic lesson is that consequences from split second decisions can ripple for a lifetime. Captivating. Surprising. Haunting.
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Deborah T. (Albuquerque, NM)
An entertaining, very good but easy read!
I enjoyed The Flower Sisters very much! It was an easy read but a very interesting story line based on an actual event. The characters were dynamic and the writing was great. The story flowed from beginning to end and the writing was so good the characters and the town became real. Interesting story and wonderful twists! I highly recommend this book!
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Marianne L. (Syosset, NY)
Not to be Missed!
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson is a standout! I loved this book. It is based on a tragic event in 1928,at a dance hall in Missouri. This book is a page turner, surprising you with clever twists and a bombshell you won't see coming. It's pacing was good and the characters had a depth that kept you caring and interested in them to the last page. Particularly, I really enjoyed the main character Daisy, who, as a teenager, despite a sad and neglectful upbringing, makes a choice to resist feeling sorry for herself or indulge in self destructive behavior. Instead she follows a path that sparks her interest and goes ahead and takes a daring risk to see where it may lead. I see this as a pivotal part of the book and loved it. In my opinion, too many characters we read about suffer difficulties and then proceed to a downward spiral. This book was a like a breath of fresh air, depicting the resilience of people who journey through tragedy only to discover anew, the role of forgiveness and the meaning of community. It's a must-read!
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Edith K.
The Flower Sisters by Michelle Collins Anderson
The story is based on a tragedy that occurred several decades earlier - the transition to contemporary times is done with warmth and candor. The characters' development reflects the culture of the time, both around the time of the original incident and also during the more current time of discovery. The links between the feelings around family and choices that define the connections among those affected are aptly represented in the story. Anderson writes in a heartfelt, compelling way that really draws the reader into the story. The material is rich and is a solid book club choice.
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Susanna K. (Willow Street, PA)
Forgiveness
Absolutely LOVED this book from beginning to end!!! As the many events were occurring, it was easy to feel as if you were there and involved in them all. The writing was wonderful, creative and- very descriptive! There were some funny lines where you couldn't help but laugh. But there were others that either brought tears to your eyes or actually shedded tears. There were things that shocked you followed by so much spirit and love. There wasn't a feeling left untouched. Daisy, Ruth, Dash, and Jimmy were surrounded by so many others in this small Missouri town. The fact that this story was based on an actual occurrence, Michelle Collins Anderson did well telling it and honoring all those involved!! Plaudits!!!
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Linda A. (Palo Alto, CA)
The Flower Sisters
A family saga covering three generations, this first novel of Michelle Collins Anderson develops an elaborate fiction around a true event in 1928 in West Plains, Missouri. One hot night the dance hall (in the author's home town) exploded, killing 39 people. From this event, Anderson weaves a story involving the Flower twins and their family.
The protagonist is a 15 year old girl (Daisy) who has been "dumped" with her grandmother in West Plains for the summer. Her grandmother is the town funeral director and undertaker. Daisy wangles her way into an internship at the local newspaper and convinces the editor to let her prepare a four-part series featuring local survivors memories of the explosion leading up to the 50th anniversary.
Daisy finds there are some people who just don't want to talk about it. Others are reluctant but eventually come forth. Along the way she is learning new information about her family.
The story builds to the climactic ending, part of which had me in happy tears! I recommend this book.
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Mary L. (Greeley, CO)
Story brings us home
Of all the "First Impressions" books I have read "The Flower Sisters" moved me to ponder, to laugh, to tears and more. It is now on my never-to-be-forgotten novels list. Based on a historical event in the author's Ozark small town, Michelle Collins Anderson takes that event and creates a whole world of fascinating and complex people whose stories become part of the reader's world. One inhabits this world through multiple characters, but for me, Daisy, especially, drew me into what she thought would be temporary but became the home of her heart.
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