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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Poppy Adams Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Reviewed By: Colleen Moorhead-Anderson |
Poppy Adams’ debut novel “The Sister” is an unsettling tale of two sisters reuniting after 47 years apart. Ginny, the
elder sister has lived alone at Bulburrow Court, the family’s Victorian mansion, since the death of her parents nearly
50 years ago. She continues the family business of Lepidoptera, the study of various species of moths, and sticks to
a highly regimented way of life. Her life is all about details and specific routines and any variation can bring Ginny
extreme anxiety and fear. She has gone so far as to close up all the rooms of Bulburrow Court except the few rooms
she occupies on a regular basis. Some rooms haven’t been opened since the death of her parents. Like the house,
Ginny has closed off portions of herself as well. Over the years, she has become a recluse and is rarely seen by
anyone until the return of her younger sister, Vivien.
Vivien, the always outgoing sister, abruptly returns to Ginny’s life and her childhood home, sending Ginny into an
anxiety ridden state of confusion and remembrance. Vivien is shocked by the state of her childhood home and the
state of her sister. The wear and tear of age and neglect is visible on both.
Ginny is bewildered at the sudden return of her sister. She begins to recount the fond memories of their childhood
and contemplates the reason behind Vivien’s return to Bulburrow Court. As she starts to think back, unpleasant
memories are brought to the surface as well.
Ginny has always escaped into a world of science when the pressures of life become too much for her to face and
Adams’ is able to use her background as a biochemist to delve into the world of moths and the science Lepidoptera.
The structure of science and its processes fit perfectly with Ginny’s constant need for order and balance. Ginny is
able to lose herself for hours in the world of moths.
As the family history begins to be rehashed and the circumstances regarding the death of their mother are
questioned, the sisters seem to have differing opinions about the events of their childhood. Ginny’s carefully
ordered life begins to unravel as she and Vivien delve into the past. Memories swarm and overwhelm her fragile
mind. Adams’ is able to weave the past and present circumstances together into a suspenseful tale of a twisted past.
Vivien pushes Ginny to see things her way, to see the truth that has eluded her all these years. Every time Vivien
tries to show Ginny memories from her perspective, Ginny goes to a special place in her head where she can lock
out Vivien’s insistent need for the truth. Vivien tries again and again to break the barrier and feels that Ginny
deserves to know the truth about all family’s secrets and lies.
As more and more events are remembered, Ginny’s anxiety reaches a critical level and there’s no turning back. A
story of hidden secrets and family betrayals, “The Sister,” is a book that keeps the reader engaged until the final
pages.
elder sister has lived alone at Bulburrow Court, the family’s Victorian mansion, since the death of her parents nearly
50 years ago. She continues the family business of Lepidoptera, the study of various species of moths, and sticks to
a highly regimented way of life. Her life is all about details and specific routines and any variation can bring Ginny
extreme anxiety and fear. She has gone so far as to close up all the rooms of Bulburrow Court except the few rooms
she occupies on a regular basis. Some rooms haven’t been opened since the death of her parents. Like the house,
Ginny has closed off portions of herself as well. Over the years, she has become a recluse and is rarely seen by
anyone until the return of her younger sister, Vivien.
Vivien, the always outgoing sister, abruptly returns to Ginny’s life and her childhood home, sending Ginny into an
anxiety ridden state of confusion and remembrance. Vivien is shocked by the state of her childhood home and the
state of her sister. The wear and tear of age and neglect is visible on both.
Ginny is bewildered at the sudden return of her sister. She begins to recount the fond memories of their childhood
and contemplates the reason behind Vivien’s return to Bulburrow Court. As she starts to think back, unpleasant
memories are brought to the surface as well.
Ginny has always escaped into a world of science when the pressures of life become too much for her to face and
Adams’ is able to use her background as a biochemist to delve into the world of moths and the science Lepidoptera.
The structure of science and its processes fit perfectly with Ginny’s constant need for order and balance. Ginny is
able to lose herself for hours in the world of moths.
As the family history begins to be rehashed and the circumstances regarding the death of their mother are
questioned, the sisters seem to have differing opinions about the events of their childhood. Ginny’s carefully
ordered life begins to unravel as she and Vivien delve into the past. Memories swarm and overwhelm her fragile
mind. Adams’ is able to weave the past and present circumstances together into a suspenseful tale of a twisted past.
Vivien pushes Ginny to see things her way, to see the truth that has eluded her all these years. Every time Vivien
tries to show Ginny memories from her perspective, Ginny goes to a special place in her head where she can lock
out Vivien’s insistent need for the truth. Vivien tries again and again to break the barrier and feels that Ginny
deserves to know the truth about all family’s secrets and lies.
As more and more events are remembered, Ginny’s anxiety reaches a critical level and there’s no turning back. A
story of hidden secrets and family betrayals, “The Sister,” is a book that keeps the reader engaged until the final
pages.
