The Sparrow Sisters

If you're a fan of Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic (and who isn't - 25th anniversary this year!), you'll enjoy this novel set on Cape Cod. Three sisters live together in a lobstering village settled by their ancestors and run a nursery with flowers and plants that bloom exorbitantly and frequently off-season. When Henry, a new young doctor and Iraq war medic, settles in town, he is fascinated by Patience, the youngest sister, but when a tragic death occurs and the town blames her, he wavers about being in her corner. This is a good beach read, a bit wispy but the writing holds up as does the reader's interest.

The Sparrow Sisters is a book far removed from the books I usually choose to read. It’s full of all of the things I really don’t like in stories; modern settings, boy meets girl/girl doesn’t like boy/yet love is in the air romance, and that new term in storytelling, magical realism. And yet I was enthralled. The titular sisters are all single and live in Granite Point a New England town with a long history. Their ancestors were among the founders of the town. Now the three of them live in their ancestral house and run a flourishing nursery on land once owned by a very special woman from their past.

All is going along well until a new doctor comes to town and questions one of the sisters’ way of helping the townspeople. Patience show more has always had a way with plants and she uses her knowledge and that of her ancestors to ease some of the complaints they bring her. The doctor, Henry feels this is dangerous – but even more dangerous are the sparks that fly between the two of them. When someone under Patience’s care dies the small town turns against her and history ends up repeating itself with a modern day witch hunt of sorts.

You cannot read this book and expect it to make sense or for everything to align. You need to just release yourself to the story and let it happen. If I were to sit and pick it apart I’d find a million reasons to hate this book but if I take reason out of the equation I want to go back and read it again. It’s a real escapist tale – but don’t let that make you think it’s all unicorns and rainbows because it’s not. The worst of human nature takes a starring role. But the best of human nature has equal billing. The characters are unique and I really want to visit with them again and I truly hope the teaser at the end means there will be another book. show less

Granite Point is the typical New England small town with three exceptions: The Sparrow Sisters. Sorrel, Nettie and Patience, named after flowers and sometimes acting like them are well known. Healers, gardeners, lovers and, maybe murderers.

A young doctor comes to town and is put out that his potential patients prefer to go the Sisters instead of his office. After all, they don’t know him. Plus, you can tell Patience’ humor by her scent. Bee balm, lemon, gardenia.

Each sister has her own tale of passion unlived. Sorrel is in love but he married another. Nettie is in love but he won’t give her the time of day. Patience loves everyone which does her no good at all.

When something happens in the little town the friends become enemies. show more The enemies become hunters of witches. It seem the only thing the Sparrow Sisters can do it lay down and give in. Or do they?

This was a rather good story but not as good as I had hoped. I think I was going for another Distant Hours which could never be. On it’s own the characters pop out and you can feel Sorrel and Nettie’s sadness at being alone. show less

This started off strong, and as others have noted, had the feeling of an Alice Hoffman or Sarah Addison Allen novel. For me, the magic didn't sustain, though. I read through because I was a fair ways into the novel, and wanted to see how the author dug out from the oppressive sadness created. She did, but the enchantment for me had faded. Still it was a decent enough read, and an interesting twist on a certain type of magic in life. There were hints at the end of a sequel.

What you don’t know about another person is often more important than what you do know. The new doctor, Henry Carlyle, had secrets. In a small town like Granite Point, the community started gathering stories, some true some not. The Sparrow sisters, even though they’ve lived there all their lives, heralded a bit of mystery as well. Most wondered why none of them had ever married. They’d had some tragedy in their lives. Their mother died when young Impatience (Patience) was born. Their father took to himself, leaving the twin older girls to raise the two younger ones. Then one of the twins had been diagnosed with cancer and could not be saved. They had little tolerance for doctors. But, Patience found something very intriguing show more about this new doctor. He felt the attraction too, but he didn’t move to Granite Point to get involved with anyone, much less a romance.

Patience found that she could make many remedies from their lush garden. Many of the townspeople looked to her for healing. Even Henry became very interested in what she actually does. It all seemed fairly benign. That is until the day that an autistic child dies after having received one of her remedies. How quickly people can turn.

Uniquely crafted, these characters will pull your heartstrings. This is a very cozy and comfortable ‘stay-in-your-pjs’ day read. It’s hard to believe this is Ellen Herrick’s debut novel. She certainly has a magic of her own in writing very descriptive and beautiful scenes. The novel is well balanced with character detail, dialogue, and narrative. The ending just may suggest a series, and if so, I would like to visit the Sparrow sisters once again. Rating: 4 out of 5. show less

This review was originally posted on Bookish Things & MoreReview
I really, really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the whimsical writing, and the way you get lost in the town of Granite Point. I also loved the magical element, even though the book focuses on the characters.

The Sparrow Sisters are so close, and I love that they have such a strong sibling relationship. Even when they are irritated with each other, they stand beside each other through everything. Nettie is quiet and definitely not flashy. She stays in the background and offers up her support and ideas when they are needed. Sorrel is a bit surly at times, but she's the mother figure. She gets things done, and makes sure her sisters are doing okay. And Patience is, well show more there isn't just one word to describe Patience. She doesn't get involved with the town gossip, but she's magnificent. She has the ability to tell when people need something in their lives, and helps with her remedies to make them better.

The other characters are very well written, and each has some sort of connection to the Sparrow family. Henry isn't exactly fond of Patience helping the town with her remedies. As a doctor he believes the citizens should go to him. He struggles with trying to understand what she's capable of as he wants to get closer to her. They are both more alike than either wants to voice. Ben has longed for a certain sister for as long as he can remember, but has always been scared to make the first move. He does show his unending support when one of them falls under the scrutiny of the town. And Simon, well he had feelings for one of them when they were younger, and still holds love for her now.

I think this book showed how an entire town can go into chaos when something bad happens. They want to place blame, and sometimes the easiest to blame are those that, even though they have helped them, are a bit odd. I love how the women of Granite Point band together to help the Sparrow Sisters, and the support of those close to them. I got lost in this small town, and the images were unfolded as I turned the pages.

This is definitely a must read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. show less

Another entry in the magical realism genre made popular by Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman. This one had a dark subplot that competed with the whimsical nature of the rest of the book. That part left me conflicted because my sympathies weren't with the main characters and I didn't agree with the resolution. But at least the ending had a very nice segue into the next in the series, The Forbidden Garden, that didn't leave the events of this book feeling unresolved.