A review by jnestwd
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Avery, Bonnie and Lucky Blue have become estranged in the year following their sister Nicky’s shocking and unexpected death. When their balanced and harmonious four becomes a sharp and unfamiliar three overnight, the surviving sisters flee their home city of New York to Europe, London and Los Angeles respectively as they each grapple with their grief and guilt over the parts they played in their sister’s death and whether or not they could have, or should have, done more to prevent it. 

 

I loved Cleopatra and Frankenstein and I was interested to read Blue Sisters knowing it took Coco Mellors five years to write it and only two to write Blue Sisters. But if there’s one thing Mellors never fails to deliver on, it’s building compelling characters. I completely devoured this novel. Coco Mellors is such an exquisite writer, each of the Blue sisters felt so real, so completely developed and interesting with all their complexities, flaws and incredibly unique characteristics that are so true of a group who share DNA but are very much their own people. 

 

I completely lost myself in the world of the Blue girls and on multiple occasions forgot I was reading the story instead of watching it happen in real life. I only surfaced from the chapters to marvel at the incredible artistry and craftsmanship of the book. I become engrossed and wholeheartedly invested in the journey of Bonnie, Avery and Lucky. I saw myself in each of them with their desire to numb their pain with alcohol and internalise their emotions rather than talk about them for fear of vulnerability and rejection. Blue Sisters is a story about grief, trauma, love and family. It reminds us that whilst none of us is perfect and we may find ourselves frustrated by our relatives, we are all facing our own internal battles and during the times where we most want to run away from the pain, those are the exact moments we should lean into it and more importantly, lean on those who love us unconditionally. 

 

Blue Sisters delivered on Mellor’s reputation in spades, and more, as a novel that I know I will return to and reread (along with Cleopatra and Frankenstein) for years and years to come. Mellors holds her own against literary heavyweights such as Donna Tartt with her ability to create complex and engaging stories that will stand the test of time. Congratulations Coco on another phenomenal body of work. It is a true honour to read your writing and I’m so excited for whatever you next have in store. 

 

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Australia for the advanced copy of Blue Sisters.