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jenxreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Alcoholism
smithy361's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The main characters were flat and the story felt slow. Although a lot happens, it just didn’t hold my interest.
bhruscik's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
This is a novel of family in which the key events are the kinds of everyday disasters many families must deal with: a hospitalization, a teenager learning to drive, an accident, a holiday dinner that goes awry.
The three Frederick sisters are: Betsy, a professional surfer; Virginia (Ginny), a mentally challenged diabetic; and Maggie, the youngest and most dependable. The book begins when Maggie gets a call from the ER in Maryland, informing her that Ginny has apparently overdosed on strawberry Jell-O. Rushing south from her New York home, Maggie quickly understands that Ginny can really no longer live alone, and brings both Maggie and her large, occasionally aggressive, dog back to the Hudson Valley town where Maggie lives with her teenaged sons.
The family dynamics in this book are spot on. Ginny may have some intellectual disabilities, but she is a master manipulator, quickly knowing her sisters’ weak spots and how best to get to them. She is stubborn and insistent on getting her own way. Maggie is dealing with a failing marriage and two sons she can’t quite control. And she has taken on the “parental” role in regard to Ginny. Who else will do it? Not Betsy, who took off for California and the life of a celebrity surfer just as soon as she could. But while Maggie is focusing her energies on how best to help her sister (who seems to not want any help), she is ignoring her own needs and issues.
The side characters, especially home health aides Philomena and Lika, are wonderfully drawn. They both observe and subtly (or not so subtly) change the family dynamic with a word or determined act. And Maggie’s sons, especially Leo, are real charmers.
It’s a lovely debut and I look forward to reading Zusy’s next novel.
This is a novel of family in which the key events are the kinds of everyday disasters many families must deal with: a hospitalization, a teenager learning to drive, an accident, a holiday dinner that goes awry.
The three Frederick sisters are: Betsy, a professional surfer; Virginia (Ginny), a mentally challenged diabetic; and Maggie, the youngest and most dependable. The book begins when Maggie gets a call from the ER in Maryland, informing her that Ginny has apparently overdosed on strawberry Jell-O. Rushing south from her New York home, Maggie quickly understands that Ginny can really no longer live alone, and brings both Maggie and her large, occasionally aggressive, dog back to the Hudson Valley town where Maggie lives with her teenaged sons.
The family dynamics in this book are spot on. Ginny may have some intellectual disabilities, but she is a master manipulator, quickly knowing her sisters’ weak spots and how best to get to them. She is stubborn and insistent on getting her own way. Maggie is dealing with a failing marriage and two sons she can’t quite control. And she has taken on the “parental” role in regard to Ginny. Who else will do it? Not Betsy, who took off for California and the life of a celebrity surfer just as soon as she could. But while Maggie is focusing her energies on how best to help her sister (who seems to not want any help), she is ignoring her own needs and issues.
The side characters, especially home health aides Philomena and Lika, are wonderfully drawn. They both observe and subtly (or not so subtly) change the family dynamic with a word or determined act. And Maggie’s sons, especially Leo, are real charmers.
It’s a lovely debut and I look forward to reading Zusy’s next novel.
lena_mercedez's review
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The Fredrick Sister was a funny, tender, and emotional at times read about the reality of being a full time caregiver and all the sacrifices made to step when your family needs you. I enjoyed this novel with it's complicated family dynamics and the quirky cast of characters we meet. I also loved the setting between Maryland & Up state New York, and Maggie's narration throughout. What a good read. Many thanks to NetGalley & Atria Books for this ecopy.
teresaalice's review against another edition
3.0
This book pissed me off because it reminded me of myself in the ways I don't want to think of myself. And it pissed me off because some characters were so clearly selfish asshats. It just irritated me, in case you can't guess.
abbiecondie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rmarcin's review against another edition
2.0
Maggie's older sister, Ginny, is intellectually disabled, and when she needs care, Maggie moves Ginny to NY to live near her. She becomes a caregiver for Ginny, but Ginny doesn't want Maggie's help-resisting her suggestions at every turn. Maggie is a mess, agonizing over her decisions, her children, her job, her ex-husband, her love life. Maggie means well, but doesn't seem to have a great handle on things.
Ginny loves sweets but she is diabetic, which increases her risks. She also loves a dog, Rascal, and a baby doll. She is also known to place orders on Amazon, and has an obsession with hot men and sex.
The story also touches on another sister, Bets, who lives in CA, and isn't keen on the idea of Maggie taking Ginny to NY.
Some funny moments, but I tired of the mess that Maggie was. The sweet part was the love the sisters had for each other.
Ginny loves sweets but she is diabetic, which increases her risks. She also loves a dog, Rascal, and a baby doll. She is also known to place orders on Amazon, and has an obsession with hot men and sex.
The story also touches on another sister, Bets, who lives in CA, and isn't keen on the idea of Maggie taking Ginny to NY.
Some funny moments, but I tired of the mess that Maggie was. The sweet part was the love the sisters had for each other.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a heartfelt and darkly humorous book about the bonds of sisterhood and the ways mistakes from the past can haunt us.
Youngest sister Maggie gets called when her middle sister Ginny, who has diabetes and intellectual disabilities, overdoses on sugar and needs assistance. Forced into a caretaker role, Maggie has to try to make her sister give up sugar and not scare off her aides.
I really enjoyed the look at how hard life as a caretaker can be while also showing that people with disabilities have needs and desires in their own right. Ginny fights for her independence, secretly ordering sweets on Amazon and hiding a porn addiction.
The disability rep was really well done here and I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Gabra Zackman. Recommended for fans One two three by Laurie Frankel or Consent by Annabel Lyon. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Youngest sister Maggie gets called when her middle sister Ginny, who has diabetes and intellectual disabilities, overdoses on sugar and needs assistance. Forced into a caretaker role, Maggie has to try to make her sister give up sugar and not scare off her aides.
I really enjoyed the look at how hard life as a caretaker can be while also showing that people with disabilities have needs and desires in their own right. Ginny fights for her independence, secretly ordering sweets on Amazon and hiding a porn addiction.
The disability rep was really well done here and I enjoyed the audiobook narration by Gabra Zackman. Recommended for fans One two three by Laurie Frankel or Consent by Annabel Lyon. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!