Sisterchicks On The Loose (2003) - Plot & Excerpts
This book had a lot of firsts for me. From the two-star rating, you might guess that these "firsts" aren't particularly positive. For one thing, this is the first time I've ever actually stopped reading the book to roll my eyes. It is also the first time that I've said things out loud while reading such as "Oh, come ON," and "You've got to be kidding me," as well as the occasional, "Why am I reading this?"Why AM I reading this? I'm not exactly a chick-lit girl. The title could not be more cheesy or stupid. And I'm reading something classified as "Christian Fiction" when I'm a highly skeptical Buddhist/spiritualist/agnostic. This sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, I gave the Sisterchicks a chance because my neighbor and close friend recommended the books and was kind enough to let me borrow hers. Okay. So here goes.This book is a piece of trash. There is literally no creativity whatsoever. First off, the characters. The two best friends at the center of the story, Sharon and Penny, are two of the most irritating characters that I have had the misfortune to spend 274 pages with (at least the vocabulary is at a third-grade level, so you can skim, get the basic idea, and get through the $@#* thing quickly).Obviously, Gunn made NO attempt whatsoever to create unique characters. Instead, she uncreatively mashed several stereotypes together and gave them names. Sharon = "The Quiet One" + overly stressed mother of four + God-fearing down-home Christian + unconfident/mousy one + subservient housewife. Penny = that-crazy-best-friend-who-takes-the-boring-one-on-a-wild-ride. They are so predictable on so many levels that you feel as though you know them already...because they inhabit every low-budget chick flick and T.V. movie you've ever seen.The plot is contrived at best, and at worst, a poorly hewn-together string of vaguely unrealistic events. The excuse? Penny is insane. I don't buy it.Every time anything remotely touching, fortunate, family-related, or unusual happens, Sharon/Penny/other women present/all of the above automatically respond by dissolving into tears. This, more than anything made me roll my eyes every time. I am not exaggerating. I do mean EVERYTHING. Every memory discussed...tears. Sharon discusses visiting Penny Lane as a surprise for Penny...tears. Any mention of family at home...tears. These women are either on the brink of menopause, or highly irritating. I wanted to throw this book through a window every time the words "wept," "sobbed," or "teared up" came into the book.Sharon herself is extremely irritating. She overthinks EVERYTHING, so we read about every blip and minor detail as if it were a prompt for an analytical essay. And EVERYTHING comes back to God. Does anyone actually do that? Do people actually make no effort to intelligently think things through, and then just shove it all in God's face? "We're at God's mercy." "It is the will of God." Not to mention my personal favorite: "Maybe it wasn't a good thing...maybe it was a GOD thing." Do I really need to explain this one?I honestly don't know why anyone would read this trash. Maybe it's feel-goody. Maybe it's good for you -- the godliness is very present. (All through the book, we get to hear complaints about how Sharon left her Bible at home. Fascinating.) All I can say is I am DONE with Sisterchicks for good.
Have you ever been surprised by the contents of a book?Recently, I experienced that very thing.Having previously loved RobinJones Gunn’s Clouds, I was eager to see what else she had written. When the first of her Sisterchicks books came up on my list of available books on Blogging for Books, I couldn’t resist the temptation to try another of her novels.The surprises began with the cover. Blue sky and snow, with a bright orange strip of foreign buildings . . . just the hint of adventure I needed to sneak Sisterchickson the Loose! up my ever-growing list of books to read. Plus, the cute little chick in the top left corner with the snazzy sunglasses made me giggle with joy. *Note: When I was browsing at the book store over the weekend, I noticed this book had a different cover than the copy I had. Don’t let that stop you from taking on this adventure!Upon opening the cover, I discovered the story was written in the first person. Quite startling, since the “norm” for fiction is currently third person writing. I’ve read a few first person fictions before, and they usually took me several chapters to get into the rhythm of them, if I ever did. Much to my delight, the story swiftly unfolded as if told by a dear friend. This negated the first person problems I’d had in the past. In fact, as I was reading, I felt as if I were reading the authors private, intimate thoughts on her own journey to Finland. I’m not sure how much of the tale was based on Ms. Gunn’s personal experiences, but she sure painted an enjoyable tale with plenty of adventure, misunderstandings, hilariousness and sweetly tender moments.Finally, I was surprised to discover a deep character arc that could easily apply to so many women’s lives. (Men’s, too, for that matter.) Many of us struggle with identity issues at some point or another in our lives. This book provides hope and a bit of guidance where our identities are concerned. It’s nice to see such deep thoughts woven seamlessly into a whim of an adventure.In Sisterchicks on the Loose!, Penny tells her best friend Sharon, “Pack your bags, girl! We’re finally going to run away from home!” They take off for far away Finland in hopes of reuniting with the aunt Penny’s always wanted to meet. Mishaps seem to appear from every direction, but they decide to trust God and let Him lead the way on this long-awaited journey. Both women have lessons to learn along the way, along with surprises to give and receive. The people they meet on the trip only add to the experience, enhancing the already enjoyable excursion across the globe. Will they miss home or wish they could travel indefinitely? After going on such an exciting trip, how can they ever go back to normal living? Make sure to pick up this Sisterchick novel if you have a bit of the wanderlust in you. It’ll get you itching to board a plane—but don’t forget your carry-on!
What do You think about Sisterchicks On The Loose (2003)?
One of the down-sides of modern western culture is that women are so busy juggling their personal and professional lives that we rarely take time to develop close friendships with other women - the very people who would understand us, support us, give us a good swift kick when it's needed, share our laughs, and share our tears. That being said, this quick-and-easy read permits the reader to tag along with two mis-matched friends as they travel together. If you don't have a group of sisterchicks in your life before you read this book, you'll find them when you're done. This book would be a fun gift for the women who are already your sisterchicks.
—Kathy
Sisterchicks on the Loose is the first sisterchick book written by Robin Jones Gunn. Even though this isn't a series there are eight books, I believe, all about friends and sisters who have these incredible God given/appointed trips.I absolutely love ALL of the Sisterchick books. But Sisterchicks On the Loose is one of my all time favorites!Sharon and her friend, Penny, have been best friends for twenty years. Penny has the savvy and business attitude; whereas, Sharon is more of the homemaker/dime store type of girl. In fact, this story begins on such a funny note as we find Sharon highlighting her own hair (like a lot of moms who want to save money do). . . .ah! Helsinki or Bust!But when Penny FedX's Sharon a thick envelope with a ticket to Helsinki, Finland...the dream trip of both women.This is a fantabulous read! The seriousness of Penny finding and visiting her Finnish aunt and uncle and the outlandish visit to the country with two old women! And finding God's graciousness and peace in Finland!OH!Such!A! GREAT read! If you love a great read with nuggets of God's love poured into the written word then you must read the Sisterchicks on the Loose!
—Tammy
Although I liked Sisterchicks Do the Hula better, I'm cutting Gunn some slack because I read them out of order and she was obviously trying something new with this series. Maybe it's because I'm turning 40 and my only kid is starting high school, but these books really speak to me as I am facing a time when I'm starting to redefine myself. Reading these books helps me feel more positive about the changes this stage in life is bringing to me. After reading a Sisterchick novel, it's like going on a voyage of self-discovery. Like Sharon, I realized that I don't need to have the same role in my coming years that I've had previously. I too want to live life with dignity and grace, dropping my bucket deep in the well of possibility. But I don't want to mislead you, although the book has moments of depth and profundity, they are largely light and a funny romp through middle-aged sisterhood. Laugh heartily with the Sisterchicks!
—Ellen
