Customer Reviews

Henry's Sisters

5 star:		(79)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Even though the Bommarito sister's, Isabelle, Janie and Cecelia are close emotionally, they've all moved away from Trillium River, except for Cecelia. That is until they receive one of their mothers infamous pink notes beckoning them home. She's having surgery and needs the girls to come home and take care of their grandmother and mentally challenged brother, as well as run the family bakery. Each sister has her reasons for not wanting to return home. But the one reason they all have in common is the very reason they are asked to return - their mother River. River is, well, a bitch. She is cruel and mean and spiteful. No one wants to be around her. But the women all realize that while they may not want to help their mother, their brother and grandmother need them.

Isabelle (Cecelia's fraternal twin) lives a lonely, dark, depressing, self destructive lifestyle. Well known for her award winning photographs, she doesn't let anyone "in". Living a life full of traveling to third world countries, drinking Kahlua for breakfast, and hanging out her loft window naked (who cares if the people in the other building can see), she is afraid to commit and spends her nights with one night stands. One of which may just might get her killed.


Janie is a famous mystery author who leads a life alone on her houseboat. She hates going out and will only do so when necessary. She also has OCD and her rituals are very important to her. When Isabelle comes to discuss the pink letter from their mother, she forces her to walk out and come back in because she did not have a smile on her face when she came in the first time. Sweet, loving, quiet Janie spends her day thinking of the most gruesome ways in which to kill people in her books. Ideas that fill her head day and night. Janie is afraid that if she returns home to the harshness of her mothers tongue she will further retreat into her self as opposed to the centered calm self she is while on her houseboat. And what happens when poor frumpy Janie faces the potential of falling in love?


Cecelia is a bitter, harsh kindergarten teacher who has remained close to the family home to help care for her family. She also is not even close to being afraid of speaking her mind. Often hitting below the belt with the venom she spews. She's extremely overweight as she continually shoves food in her mouth to compensate for the hurt she is feeling. The hurt from a father that left them when they were young, and the hurt of a ass of a husband who is cheating on her with a bimbo. She also has two beautiful daughters. One who spends each month "trying on" different religions, and one who is so unsure of her self, pulls her hair out a strand at a time.


Henry is beautiful. While he is mentally challenged, he doesn't have a care in the world. He loves the work he does at the bakery, the shelter and the church. He is the light of his sisters lives. They will, and have, fought for him. Both physically and emotionally. There is nothing they wouldn't do for them.


The Bommarito sisters, along with their brother Henry, had harsh childhoods. From their Vietnam vet father leaving them to their mother struggling to keep them in food by stripping, that is when she wasn't in bed with her depression. The girls ended up helping keep the family afloat by baking during these times. Although it was just never enough. Several times they were placed in foster care, providing them the first sense of stability they've had in a long time while at the same time causing one of them an extreme amount of pain.


Will coming home to Trillium River be the wake up call that this family needs? Will they be able to finally deal with the trauma's of their lives and finally find peace and happiness? Will they once and for all get the answers that they've unknowingly been searching for? But just when things seem as if they are finally turning around they get the most crushing, heart breaking news they could ever get. They are faced with something that they are not willing to deal with and could very well destroy any of the progress that they've made. It is now time for them to put everything else aside and come together as a family.

A beautifully written tale of one families struggles and triumphs. Of how they overcome adversity and figure out a way to move on with their lives. Of how to love and trust again. Of forgiveness and family. Full of laugh out loud moments and heartbreaking scenes, scenes that will have you crying as you read them, Henry's Sisters is one story that you will regret not reading.

I would like to tell everyone to read this book! It was one of those books that I am never going to forget and will reread again. Thank you so much is order to Cathy Lamb for a brilliant storyline about a family that is so dysfunctional yet so utterly charming, although they will make you cry and then laugh a page later! All I can say again is...Thank you..Thank you..Thank you!

Not sure why all of the reviews are under Kindle. I read this in paperback.

This is an exceptionally poignant story, of love, loss, family and self awareness. I was up all night reading it and am emotionally drained but very glad I read this well written book.

When I first started reading this book, I was really tempted to put it down and start another. It was interesting enough, but the characters just didn't appeal to me. They were way too over the top. I know people out there deal with similar issues, but I was somewhat uncomfortable with the characters and couldn't begin to like them, except for Henry of course. This book did keep me reading though. Each chapter end left me wondering what could possible happen next. Near the middle of the book I started to like Henry's sisters, Isabelle, Cecilia, and Janie, and was able to look past their quirks and issues to want to know more about them and how they ened up. This book had me smirking, laughing and full out teary eyed! The author did so well writing about the characters that I felt I knew them personally. I am so glad that I continued reading, it will be a book I always remember.

Ms. Lamb is becoming one of my favorite authors. After reading (and enjoying) Julia's Chocolates I decided to read some of her other books. I started (and finished) this one tonight! I could not put it down - I was completely and utterly captivated by the Bommarito family! I am drained by the emotional highs and lows I felt while reading!

I have a Brian Andreas wall sculpture that says (and I quote) "Anyone can slay a dragon, he told me, but try waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. That's what takes a real hero." I think that Henry is that hero. His ability to love, forgive, face adversity, embrace his family and his faith, and to live his life with pure joy are lessons for all of us just as they were for his sisters.

I am recommending this as my book club selection next year and also to my friends and family! It is one of those stories that will stay with you for some time to come. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Lamb.

I ordered this as my first Kindle book. I did not regret it.
The characters were very colorful and interesting. There was
never a dull moment. I laughed and I cried. Boy, did I cry!
I would definitely recommend this book. If you have not read Julia's Chocolates, that
is an awesome read as well.

This author never lets me down! I laughed and cried. What a great escape this book gave me. If could meet the author I would love to tell her thank you for the entertainment.

Lamb tackles hard story lines. She hands you violence and laughter equally making the reader stay with her even through the ugly times. This is another of her very good books dealing with dysfunctional family, lives shaped by violent acts, but redeemed through love. Lamb's sisters barely function on their own but as a unit they become a powerful force of love.

I could not put this book down. I read a lot of books and I have only cried after reading one other book. This was the second book...I cried my eyes out. I loved the characters. I thought the entire story was believable and something that could actually have happened. I wanted to meet these people! It also shows that families are not perfect...and families can work things out. Myself, not experienced what the mother in this book experienced by a long shot, can relate, having three daughters of my own in that I would do anything for my daughters. This is one of the best books I have ever read and now have ordered Cathy Lamb's other two novels...hopefully they will be as good as this one!!!

I've read all of Cathy Lamb's books and dearly loved Julia's Chocolate, however Henry's Sisters tops that one! I read this book in one day and had such a hard time reading the last half as my eyes would blur and I had to constantly stop and wipe my eyes because I was crying so much. She has quirky people (as always) but she's found the secret to the meaning of FAMILY.