Blood Sisters: A Novel of an Epic Friendship [Paperback]

Mary Jacobsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2005

This is a novel of the generosity of spirit and friendship that goes far beyond sexuality. Emily Ashmont is blunt, cynical, fiercely committed to her work, and straight. Val Summers is romantic, sweet, immensely idealistic, lesbian and in love with Emily. "Blood Sisters" tells the tale of these two unforgettable women and their decades-long friendship that deepens into an epic story all its own. Told through personal letters that reveal each woman's innermost thoughts and desires, the novel chronicles their intimate friendship from the 1970s through the 1990s. Each strong in her own way, Emily and Val share a connection that cannot be broken. From their abusive childhoods through their diligence to live life on their own terms, these soulmates traverse challenges together to emerge even closer than either thought possible. "Blood Sisters" spans the years illustrating the trials and tribulations of lifelong friends as they search for life's meaning, both meeting problems head-on while showing the depth and courage of their hearts as well as the uniqueness of their relationship. A deeply stirring tale about finding a soulmate, at "Blood Sisters'" heart is a momentous love story that honours the nobility and power of love between friends, a love that transcends time, place and sexuality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"AN EPIC NOVEL OF THE VERY BEST KIND." -- Carla Tomaso, Author of Maryfield Academy

"This is A LOVELY BOOK THAT STAYS WITH THE READER LONG AFTER ONE HAS FINISHED IT." -- Christopher Bram, Author of Gods and Monsters and Lives of Circus Animals

About the Author

Mary Jacobsen is a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice. She lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 289 pages
• Publisher: Harrington Park Press; 1 edition (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560233222
• ISBN-13: 978-1560233220
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,685,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exhilarating and Moving Read!, April 2, 2006

By 

Bookwoman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Sisters: A Novel of an Epic Friendship (Paperback)

I read "Blood Sisters: A Novel of An Epic Friendship" this past weekend and I can't recommend it more strongly! It's funny, moving and a thoroughly enjoyable read. It offers truths and insights about life and the quest for meaning, whether it's through love or work, that are truly helpful as we try to make our way through this world.

It's so much fun to hear about the world through the very distinct and compelling voices of these two remarkable female characters -- and to see their own perspectives change as they mature over the span of 20 years!

The novel made me recall and better understand the aching, hungry loneliness and the excitement of sexual possibility from our twenties. And it helped me to see the mirroring appetite for a deep and stable sense of meaning and companionship in our later lives as a fulfillment of the earlier hunger rather than a giving up on it.

"Blood Sisters" made me think about and understand my life my life in new ways, and I had fun doing it! What more can you ask from a novel? Read this now!

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing writing, but the plot could have been better..., October 15, 2007

By 

Tara Walker Gross "Avid Reader" (SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Blood Sisters: A Novel of an Epic Friendship (Paperback)

I was drawn in by the idea of this book--an epic friendship between two women (because there seems to be so little of that nowadays), but to top it all off, one is straight and one is lesbian? Sadly, although I was entranced with the humanity of Ms. Jacobsen's words and with some of the completely amazing ideas/ideals that she came up with, I was disappointed with the relationship between Ashmont, Emily and Val. I really want to ask the author--Ms. Jacobsen, what is so unrealistic about a lesbian being friends with a woman and yet not being in love with her? I just feel that that was a plot point that would have been better served left out of this novel.