Monday, April 26, 2010

Book Review: The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice

The Book…

The storm off Mackinac Island that engulfed Maura Shaw's husband and elder daughter, Carrie, also swept away the illusion of her life as the perfect midwestern wife and mother. Now, after years away, Maura has returned to Rhode Island to teach English at the fabled Newport Academy and to seek a new beginning. Newport has never failed to infuse Maura with a sense of mystery and hope, but ever since the accident, her younger daughter, fourteen-year-old Beck, has retreated into the safe, predictable world of mathematics. Without Carrie, Beck has lost half of herself—the half that would have fit into the elite private school she and her brother, Travis, will attend. The half that made things right. Sixteen-year-old Travis is also struggling to adjust—juggling a long-distance first love and an attraction to a girl with a wicked sparkle in her eye. And for Maura, ghosts linger here—an unresolved breach with her own beloved sister and a long-ago secret that may now have the power to set her free...(Back Blurb)

What I think…

Buying books is something that has been trimmed from my budget but after reading the back cover for The Geometry of Sisters,  I knew it would be worth giving up a couple of things on my shopping list.

Luanne Rice is one of my favorite author’s and this book did not disappoint. The Geometry of Sisters asks the question: “What is one sister without the other?” This book is about loss and making your way through; forgiveness and moving beyond the past.

Maura loses her husband and daughter in one day and is left to deal with not only her own grief but that of her son, Travis, and younger daughter, Beck. Moving to Rhode Island offers a new beginning while bringing Maura closer to her past. Maura and her own sister have been estranged since before Carrie’s birth and it is their love for Carrie that helps them find their way back to each other.

Beck deals with the loss of her sister and father by burying herself in math. She and her new found friend, Lucy, try to find a way to being back their loved ones through the logic and beauty of mathematics.

Travis is the strongest in the family. While working through his own pain, he excels in the role of older brother and supportive son. Not only does he need to work through his family tragedy but also letting go of a first love to discover something better.

I found this one hard to put down. The combination of 1st person (Becks POV) and 3rd person story telling gives intimacy and depth to this novel. Each character is well written and is integral to the story of how this family knits itself back together after tragedy and loss.

The Geometry of Sisters is sad, hopeful, uplifting, and full of love for family.


6 comments:

Dana and Daisy said...

sounds like a book my sister and I both need to read! Oh I might cry my eyes out though, and that would not be a pretty sight at all!

Katie said...

I'm going to have to add this to my list of books I want to read!

Pam said...

This one sounds good. Maybe I can fit it into my book reading schedule.

Cynthia said...

Sounds like a good one. I always love stories about sisters (I wonder why? LOL!)

Boomer Pie. said...

Always looking for an interesting read. I signed up to follow you. You may be interested in reading my blog post about my big, fat, geek book club. Return the favor if you like what you read. http://www.boomerpie.com/2010/04/my-big-fat-geek-book-club.html

Together We Save said...

sounds like a wonderful book!!