The Language of Sisters [Mass Market Paperback]

Amy Yurk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Ten years ago, Nicole Hunter left her troubled home behind her, unable to cope with the demands of a life with her disabled sister, Jenny. But when a shattering event turns her world upside down, she finds herself back in her hometown, caring for her pregnant sister and trying to heal her embattled relationship with her mother. And when she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life, Nicole rediscovers the beauty of sisterhood-and receives a special gift that will change her life forever...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Yurk's second novel begins when Nicole Hunter receives a psychic distress signal from her severely retarded sister, Jenny. After 10 years of estrangement, she phones her chilly, distant mother, Joyce, and learns that Jenny was raped by a nurse's aide and is pregnant. Leaving San Francisco and her lawyer boyfriend, Shane, she heads up to Washington to survey the damage. She is outraged that Joyce will not consent to an abortion for Jenny, who is unable to speak or care for herself, let alone a child. Nicole moves back into their childhood home to care for her sister and to face old demons, most notably the abuse that Jenny suffered at the hands of their father (who's now long gone), which neither she nor Joyce was able to stop. She reconnects with her childhood friend, Nova, who is both the unconditionally loving mother and the engaged sister she never had. As Nicole's relationship with Shane falters, she conveniently meets Garrett, a handsome divorc‚ with a toddler of his own. Watching Nova nurture her four children, Nicole develops feelings for Jenny's unborn child that force her to make some life-changing decisions. While the novel has serious flaws-Joyce's character is woefully underdeveloped; there are some rather hokey "psychic" goings-on; and the writing is at times just plain bad ("juicy feelings I could barely name")-it is worth reading because Yurk (The Kind of Love That Saves You), whose own sister was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, so skillfully describes the experience of living with and caring for a person with special needs.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Amy Yurk lives with her husband and two children. The Language of Sisters is her second novel.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: NAL Trade (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451207009
• ISBN-13: 978-0451207005
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amy Hatvany graduated with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs - some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist.

In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car, quit her job, and take a chance on her passion: writing books. OUTSIDE THE LINES is her second novel written under the name Amy Hatvany, and she is the author of two others.

Amy lives in Seattle with her husband and two children and would love to hear from you...please visit www.amyhatvany.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful novel, September 4, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Language of Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

This book touched me in so many ways that I almost find it hard to put it into words. Ms. Yurk illustrated the relationship between the two sisters so eloquently, when I was reading I almost felt like I was intruding on the bond that they shared. But at the same time I felt such warmth at being given the gift of being a part of something so special. Read this novel, and you will be rushed with feelings of sadness and grief, yet happiness and excitement all at the same time.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A worthy effort, September 27, 2003

By 

Michele Cozzens "www.michelecozzens.com" (Cloud 8) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Language of Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is about two sisters and it appears to have been written by two authors. The first, who begins the story and sucks in the reader with good, descriptive writing, tells the complicated tale of the older sister, Nicole, facing the rape and ensuing pregnancy of her severely handicapped and institutionalized sister, Jenny.

Returning home after ten years and choosing to stay and care for Jenny during the last four months of her pregancy, has Nicole facing her dysfunctional past and an uncertain and frightening future. And during this stage of the story I feel the writing loses its grasp. The dialog is pat and once full characters become flat and predictible.

Nevertheless, I was interested in the characters and hoped for a writing rebound. So, I stayed with it for the story rather than the writing. Happy to reach a satisfying conclusion, I deemed the reading experience worth my time.

I think this book may find its strongest audience with those who have lived with a retarded sibling (in this case a MUST read) or have in some way been attached to someone suffering from extreme disabilities where unspoken communication comes into play.

I intend to read Amy Yurk's first novel, The Kind of Love That Saves You, because I believe she has talent and am interested in her work.

Thank you for the opportunity to review The Language of Sisters.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Buying it for Christmas Gifts!, September 23, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Language of Sisters (Mass Market Paperback)

I sure hope Amy Yurk is working on her third novel, because I loved this one. I think The Language of Sisters is the perfect gift for anyone with family issues because of a sibling who took an inordinate amount of family energy because of illness, disability, substance abuse or behavior problems. It really provides food for thought in an entertaining and yet heart-wrenching way. Whew. What a story!