I disagree with the majority of reviews, as I found the book very humorous. Humanity, when not at war, or suffering a chronic condition, is ripe for humor. What other species would crawl around in garbage, wanting TO GET BETTER emotionally....Is it not humorous that an aging woman could RUIN HER ENTIRE DAY, wishing she was still young and wrinkle free? Sexual "threesomes" are hysterical; considering most participants are either chemically altered or analyzing why this should be considered perfectly normal..Oh sure!
Life is funny, and this book reminds us that most families do not send honest Christmas or Holiday letters. We are desperate to sound so normal, and yet normal is hardly very interesting. This book delivers honestly...

I have reviewed several first impression books, but this one seemed to have garnered the most requests for review..
In other words, we like to read about friendship, intrigue, deception and uncertainty….Read it…..it's fun and offers what it promises…truths about friendship, deception, and uncertainty….

Interesting conversation is not always right at hand, but the conversational style of this book hooked me.
If you are interested in the Holocaust, and you are not a purist and do not mind a good story, along with the facts, then historical fiction is a good bet for you.. Angst, rage, honesty, empathy, loyalty and persistence are ever present in the pages.
I would recommend this book for a thoughtful read and I am quite sure book clubs would find plenty to digest and discuss.

Unrealistic characters,(the heroine is braver than Bond) unrealistic dialogue, strange relationships and a silly protracted ending just didn't do it for me...That being said, it was not boring, just not memorable or realistic.

This memoir is an extremely honest portrayal of a profoundly serious mental illness which continued for David from young adult hood to middle age. I am sure some readers will feel disconnected as well as frustrated, wanting the answers to 'why'...As with drug addiction and alcoholism sometimes knowing 'why' is the least significant issue, because medical opinions differ so widely. Achieving physical, emotional and spiritual stability in order to function even minimally in the community and within a viable family without pathological danger to oneself or others is sometimes the best we can achieve. The memoir is honest, intense, graphic and hopeful..I feel it needs editing as the message and story could be told with fewer words

With so few prominent characters, you knew immediately that you would be suspicious of everyone in this "who-dunnit" taking place in rural Vermont. Complex relationships also play predominately in this easy read, and I know you will understand the title of my review once you given this book just a few days of your attention. A fast, fun read.

Beware... playhouses can stir up lots of trouble, especially if the playhouse is in the woods. I am a bit weary of this genre; that being adults looking back at wayward mistakes during their youth. This book has plenty of potential but for this reader it is disjointed, a tad melodramatic without reason and somewhat disappointing. I would like to read one of her other books, so all was not lost.

Do you have a sister?... then by all means read "Sister"....Only have brothers, then by all means read "Sister"....Only child? ...by all means read "Sister"
A five star absorbing, stylish winner....

This book is a clear example of the carnage and delusion that surrounds alcoholism. Homosexual and indeed many forms of sexual acting out is very common when men or women are in the throes of active addiction. There are consequences for behavior and Sally missed her opportunity to give her husband the possibility to change by constantly enabling his loving relationship with the bottle and make no mistake he was having an affair with the bottle. She should have left, gotten help for herself and her family allowing him to understand that it was action that was needed not co-dependency.
The writing itself was good but she remained a victim to the end and it was tiresome for me. I only hope other women see this as an example of what not to do in these very circumstances.

If you find the opening first few chapters a bit tedious as you are not enraptured by English nuance and you aren't obsessed with the perfect opera, do not relinquish the pleasures this book offers if you stay till the end. I was totally engaged with the obsessive nature of the characters and apparent lack of conscience when art and genius come together. On a lighter note, I chuckled with the similarities picturing another group of English gentlemen(in this century) imbibing in mind altering substances, swapping bed partners, while obsessing about the perfect rock album. Somehow the earlier century affords these behaviors, respectability and mystery. Earnest, disciplined book clubs will enjoy the read.

Not only did I enjoy this book, I am haunted (in a pleasant way) with the unanswered questions. I like ambivalence, imbalance and ambiguity. If you enjoy reading about ordinary people involved in less than ordinary events you might just be haunted rather than frustrated when you turn the last page. Excellent for a book club choice with many topics ripe for exploration...bullying, inert parents, self doubt, stifling home towns.