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A review by theliterateleprechaun
The Lost Sister by Kathleen McGurl
5.0
Kathleen McGurl has written a compelling dual-timeline masterpiece featuring one family torn apart by the call of the sea. Spanning 100 years, McGurl deftly explores the family dynamics, sibling relationships and the yearning for independence that frays the bonds holding the Higgins family together.
Alternating between 1911 and 2019, we see the tension and fight for identity mounting as the Higgins family navigate children leaving home, alarming health issues, downsizing, misunderstandings, and attempt traversing the wake left by strong personalities. In 1911, three sisters head to sea on three sister ships of the White Star Line. This is the story of their struggle to find purpose, experience love, and remain united despite being pulled in different directions. In 2019, we read of their descendants, struggling with similar issues, and how, given a chance to rectify relationships eagerly take hold of a life preserver thrown their way.
The symmetry McGurl creates is fascinating; it leads readers to consider the possibility of picking up and rebuilding a relationship that had been allowed to flounder. In the first story, Harriet’s grandmother, Emma, struggled to keep the three siblings together and it was her selfless devotion that saved both Ruby and Lily. In the second story, although we never meet John, his mantra keeps Harriet afloat while she struggles to keep their family together. His death was the catalyst for her to reach out to her estranged brother, Matthew. For her daughters, it was also a critical health issue that forced them to consider what it means to be family. I appreciated how McGurl was able to show how important keeping communication lines open is to maintaining family cohesiveness. Harriet maintained her husband’s mantra – love is always open arms – and was rewarded for her dedication.
Like a master weaver, McGurl has managed to create a masterpiece by combining threads to reveal the ties that bind us. If we were to turn over a tapestry, we’d see knotted ends and a mishmash of colour and no concept of pattern or unity. Families are like a tapestry. Once we flip the textile over, we see how the threads have been united to produce something inspiring and beautiful. Both families, if we considered the underside to their tapestry, had messy relationships and threads which didn’t appear to go anywhere. However, once we consider the flip side, we see the bold bright colours of Ruby and Davina, the shades of blue reflecting the ocean journeys of the girls and Harriet, the black thread of disease, and brown threads representing work, both in clearing the attic and in serving on the seas. Without one of those colours, the masterpiece would be lacking. They all come together to create the history and journey of the Higgins family through the ages.
In addition to the author’s brother, her influence in writing was a memoir of Violet Jessop. Interestingly enough, my husband and I, both avid cruisers, sailed with John Maxtone-Graham, the editor and annotator of Violet’s book, many times and heard first hand about Violet. I have a treasured signed copy of Violet’s memoirs gifted by our maritime friend. As a result, McGurl’s invitation to read her newest book was one I immediately accepted and feverishly read. This five-star historical fiction is to be published on May 12, 2021, and is a must-read for historical fiction lovers.
“The Lost Sister” is a powerful reminder about the importance of taking the first step to righting misfortunes, maintaining communication and being willing to throw out a life preserver to those struggling.
Thank you Kathleen McGurl, HQ Digital and NetGalley for the gifted advance copy. I was under no obligation to provide a review.
Alternating between 1911 and 2019, we see the tension and fight for identity mounting as the Higgins family navigate children leaving home, alarming health issues, downsizing, misunderstandings, and attempt traversing the wake left by strong personalities. In 1911, three sisters head to sea on three sister ships of the White Star Line. This is the story of their struggle to find purpose, experience love, and remain united despite being pulled in different directions. In 2019, we read of their descendants, struggling with similar issues, and how, given a chance to rectify relationships eagerly take hold of a life preserver thrown their way.
The symmetry McGurl creates is fascinating; it leads readers to consider the possibility of picking up and rebuilding a relationship that had been allowed to flounder. In the first story, Harriet’s grandmother, Emma, struggled to keep the three siblings together and it was her selfless devotion that saved both Ruby and Lily. In the second story, although we never meet John, his mantra keeps Harriet afloat while she struggles to keep their family together. His death was the catalyst for her to reach out to her estranged brother, Matthew. For her daughters, it was also a critical health issue that forced them to consider what it means to be family. I appreciated how McGurl was able to show how important keeping communication lines open is to maintaining family cohesiveness. Harriet maintained her husband’s mantra – love is always open arms – and was rewarded for her dedication.
Like a master weaver, McGurl has managed to create a masterpiece by combining threads to reveal the ties that bind us. If we were to turn over a tapestry, we’d see knotted ends and a mishmash of colour and no concept of pattern or unity. Families are like a tapestry. Once we flip the textile over, we see how the threads have been united to produce something inspiring and beautiful. Both families, if we considered the underside to their tapestry, had messy relationships and threads which didn’t appear to go anywhere. However, once we consider the flip side, we see the bold bright colours of Ruby and Davina, the shades of blue reflecting the ocean journeys of the girls and Harriet, the black thread of disease, and brown threads representing work, both in clearing the attic and in serving on the seas. Without one of those colours, the masterpiece would be lacking. They all come together to create the history and journey of the Higgins family through the ages.
In addition to the author’s brother, her influence in writing was a memoir of Violet Jessop. Interestingly enough, my husband and I, both avid cruisers, sailed with John Maxtone-Graham, the editor and annotator of Violet’s book, many times and heard first hand about Violet. I have a treasured signed copy of Violet’s memoirs gifted by our maritime friend. As a result, McGurl’s invitation to read her newest book was one I immediately accepted and feverishly read. This five-star historical fiction is to be published on May 12, 2021, and is a must-read for historical fiction lovers.
“The Lost Sister” is a powerful reminder about the importance of taking the first step to righting misfortunes, maintaining communication and being willing to throw out a life preserver to those struggling.
Thank you Kathleen McGurl, HQ Digital and NetGalley for the gifted advance copy. I was under no obligation to provide a review.