Customer Reviews

Sisters & Lovers: A Novel

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am really surprised that of this writing "Sisters & Lovers" only has a few reviews. Hopefully, that number will increase because to me the book is one of the best that I've ever read and that's saying a lot. "Sisters and Lovers" grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let me go until the very last page. Although, it's been a while since I've read it (and I can recall reading it at least two times which for me is REALLY saying a lot), it impressed me as the type of book that every woman should have in her library. Please go get it TODAY!

Usually I go for the mysteries where people die and things happen that will keep me scared and up all night. I picked this book by luck. It happened to be based in the area I've lived all my life and thought I'd give it a try. Turns out this book kept me up all night, not scared, but waiting to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed it and think you might also.

Unfortunately I've not read many Connie Briscoe books, however, the two I've read so far (this one and 'A Long Way from Home,')would encourage me to read more. I'm looking forward to receiving my copy of P.G. County. Nonetheless, after reading Sisters and Lovers I did come away with some laughter and a few reality checks. I thought the three main characters (the sisters) were very believable, funny, and ultimately supportive of each other. I only wish the one sister, Charmain, had been a little more independent and not determined to hold on to a 'man,' even a bad man. The book is definitely worth reading (great for reading on subways or buses or any long ride) and as a member of a book club here in Washington, DC it does give you something to talk about. And also coming from a large family of eight girls I can relate.

I WAS TRULY HAPPY WITH THE WHOLE BOOK IT GAVE THE SINCE OF REAL FAMILY AND WHAT SISTERS SOME TIMES GO THRU! I HAVE TWO SISTERS OF MY OWN AND THEIR REALTIONSHIP REMINDS ME ALOT OF OURS IN THE SENSE THAT WE FUSS AND FIGHT BUT YET WE STILL LOVE ONE ANOTHER! MY HEART RACED EVERYTIME I GOT TO A NEW CHAPTER OF THE BOOK... I FOUND MYSELF NOT WANTING THE BOOK TO END VERY GOOD READING!

I like this book better than "Waiting to Exhale." Not to say "Waiting to Exhale" was not good, it was the bomb. But I like "Sisters and Lovers" better. Even though Beverly was my favorite character in the book because I could relate more to her, she kind of got on my nerves of how she was being so picky with the men she was involved with. Other than that, it was a good book.

I took me a minute to figure out which character was who, in the beginning. Once I figured that out, the story took off. The different personalities and lifestyles of the 3 sisters made it more flavorful. I knew that Wanda was up to no good, when her character was introduced. This was a great read, that was hard for me to put down. Great job, Ms. Briscoe!!

I read a book in titled Sisters and Lovers by Connie Briscoe.The book was real,I mean this book contains things that happen in everyday life.This particular book shows how family can grow up completly different.The older sister Evelyn grew up to be very successful,she works for a very important law firm were she meet her husbaand of ten years.The middle sister Tasha is the manager of a bank.She is a single independent woman.Finally the youngest sister Brenda has one child.She has a bad relationship with a lazy yet weathly man.I think that the most important thing that is brought out in this book is how they bring out the importance of sticking to your family.I would recommend this book to people fourteen and up because most things in this book arent for childern to know yet.

Absolutely nothing happens in this story. There's minimal character development and growth and it's totally predictable--except you're left wondering how and why it took them so long, and the one, semi-interesting twist was ruined with the first lingering stare. We follow three boring and rather irritating sisters through their dramas, horrid mistakes, and general obnoxiousness. As for the men as a whole being weak, pathetic, crazy, and/or ball-less, there actually are men like that, but they are by no means the majority. Overall, it was a pretty disgusting portrayal of men, and the women were pretty despicable, too.

Briscoe does a wonderful job of creating characters that have a life of their own. Another thing she does well, and what Terry McMillan failed to do so miserable in Waiting to Exhale, was to create symphathetic characters. I could find it in my heart to fell bad for Bevery, Charmaine, and Evelyn, who though are all flawed, are each trying their best to make it in life. Unlike the ladies in McMillan's novel, who just want everything handed to them on a silver platter with no regard of how they conduct themselves or treat others.

I thouroughly enjoyed the novel, and though it lagged a bit at the end, felt it was the most satisfying read i've had in a while.

Sisters and Lovers was a very timely novel for the 1990s when there wasn't much dramatic literature written by black authors. I thought Briscoe did a good job inviting the reader into the lives of three sisters with very different personalities.

Beverly, the main character, was the single sister looking to be married. She was turning 30 and thought by not being married, it would place her as an old maid. But with all of the men she slept with, I'd doubt she'd be anyone's maid. Her drama was circled around men and sex.

Charmaine, was afraid to be alone. Although she had a five year old son by a previous boyfriend and she was in her second marriage, her husband was a complete loser-a bum-wasted flesh. Charmaine worked and was the sole provider of the house. She struggled raising her son, maintaining a home and supporting a no-good man. But when she became pregnant and found out about all of the lies and deceitfulness of her husband, she said, "enough is enough."

My favorite is Evelyn. She was living large. She's sophisticated, level-headed, educated, business savy and a loving wife and mother. Her drama was the most interesting and I would've loved to have read her story as a full fledge novel, It's a story that could easily stand on its own. The one thing she lacked was confidence in her lawyer husband. She trusted his fidelity, but not his business decisions. She has her own private counseling center and her husband is a partner with a major law firm, but he wants to start his own practice with two other lawyers. Evelyn felt that now was not a good time for it. She had to learn some lessons herself.

It was a well written novel and the lives of all three sisters had closure which worked out really well.

BookBlotter Susan