Sisters

3.85/5 ( )

Yolandi (Yoli) is a separated forty-something mother of two teenagers who writes rodeo-themed books. Elfrieda (Elf), her sister, is a talented concert pianist with a loving husband and no children. Elf has been in and out of mental facilities due to multiple attempts at suicide. Yoli and Elf are part of a lapsed Mennonite family from rural Canada, now living in Winnipeg and Toronto. Their father died by suicide years ago. Their mother tries to help everyone as best she can. Elf is taken to task by the staff for “not cooperating.” Yoli is repeatedly begging the medical professionals to help her sister.

Yoli is the narrator and we get to know her well. She does not want her sister to die and is torn about enabling her in any way. If Elf is going to kill herself anyway, would it be better to help her die with dignity? She asks herself many questions along these lines.

This sad story is based on the author’s family. It contains subtle humor that helps it not feel overwhelmingly depressing. The author delicately explores suicide, mental health treatment, shame, guilt, and right to die issues. It is a novel about love and pain. It is not for anyone dealing with depression.
( )

Such highs and lows! So heartbreaking, so hilarious. Quite the balancing act. But I'm very glad that Toews accomplishes humor so well here, otherwise this book might have broken me (and probably many other readers!) I'm doing that thing that I usually do if a book is at ALL true to a writer's life -- and Yoli here, if she is the fictional stand-in of Miriam Toews - ah, what a great character, so I'm immediately more a fan of Toews if she is at all like the screwup/badass Yoli. But every character is a great one in this book. Can sisters really be this amazing to one another? To even be able to write this book if it is close to your own life, and do it so well, is an accomplishment. It's also interesting that Toews' new book 'Fight Night' has a character named Swiv which is a nickname of Yoli... wish I had a copy now to read and see the connection. I will be reading more from Toews and I'm glad I finally had a visit with this one. ( )