A review by heather_harrison
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

dark funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I could not get enough of the audio book of "My Sister, the Serial Killer" - after picking this up on a whim and hearing some mixed reviews, I really enjoyed this. 

It walks the line between dark and funny. The writing is direct, and often sardonic. 

Korede is a plain no-nonsense woman, a nurse, and older sister. 
Ayoola is her beautiful younger sister who can seemingly do no wrong. Except for the trail of dead men she seems to leave in her wake. 

Femi makes three, you know. Three, and they label you a serial killer. 

I found both Korede and Ayoola absolutely fascinating, and their relationship is like a train wreck (you can't help but not look away). It is simultaneously disturbing and delicious.  

 "I am the older sister—I am responsible for Ayoola. That's how it has always been. Ayoola would break a glass, and I would receive the blame for giving her the drink. Ayoola would fail a class, and I would be blamed for not coaching her. Ayoola would take an apple and leave the store without paying for it, and I would be blamed for letting her get hungry." 

For anyone who is an older sibling, this not an wholely accurate representation per se, but you will feel so seen in how this book handles the expectations and complexities! 

 “It’s because she is beautiful, you know. That’s all it is. They don’t really care about the rest of it. She gets a pass at life.”
 
For a piece of writing that is so dark, funny and light - this does a pretty solid job at reflecting on not just women in patriarchal society, but also the weaponisation of beauty. 

For those that get it, get it - a fresh punchy piece of feminist satire. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings