A review by serendipitysbooks
The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 The Alternatives is the story of the four Flattery sisters, orphaned as children and young teens. They are now in their 30s, all with PhDs (one honorary) and interesting careers, and have gone their own way in the world until the disappearance of oldest sister Olwen brings them together again. This is definitely a story about complicated sisterhood, particularly given Olwen had to take on a parental role. But it is also a story about climate change and how to live in a rapidly changing and increasingly polarised world. I love how they four had very different careers - geologist, political scientist, chef, philosopher - yet were all focussed on making the world a better place whether that be by making gourmet cooking sustainable, using philosophy to help people live meaningful lives, or instituting citizens assemblies to overcome polarisation and political stalemate. This book gets off to a slow, seemingly disjointed, start with a chapter focussed on each sister. I was fine with this and liked having each sister and her background clearly in my head before they all came together and started rehashing past events and old disagreements. Like Olwen, I sometimes find it easy to get overwhelmed by the state of the world. In that regard, this story has a reassuring message - that caring for ourselves, each other, and the world is crucial but that there is no single right way. Luckily, there are many passionate people all working on a piece of the puzzle. We just have to do our bit and hope it is enough.