The Wilder Sisters: A Novel (2000) - Plot & Excerpts
I remember now why I like Jo-Ann Mapson’s novels so much. Her talent and style really stand out. It’s been awhile (10 years) since I read “Bad Girls Creeks” and “Hank and Chloe”, and I absolutely fell in love with those books. Her more recent “Solomon’s Oak” wasn’t totally up to that standard, in my opinion, but as far as her earlier books go, they are truly delightful. Come to think of it, to this date I haven’t come across another author who matches her particular style and unique story-telling. I immensely like her characters; they are realistic and so refreshingly flawed (what a relief!), and like in real life there’s no guarantee of a happy ending. What I like is that the characters evolve and grow. Observations about life, love, and family are witty and funny and oh so true. I especially liked the passages in the book when the Wilders Sisters, Rose and Lily, re-connected. And I’m glad the sisters made up and were there for each other. I know the feeling, and nothing can replace a sister in one’s life.The New Mexico setting was wonderfully drawn too, and now I can’t wait to go their on my next trip to the USA. I want to visit Taos, Santa Fe, the Chimayo church.The relationship between Rose and Austin Donovan intrigued me particularly and I thought they were genuinely convincing characters. I was so heart-stricken and shocked when Donovan showed up with his ex-wife at the church dinner. (By the way, did he lie about that while explaining himself to Rose?). Ugh - I wanted to smack him so hard, you wouldn’t believe what emotions ran through me then!Although I applaud the author for the original ending of the book, I still would’ve liked, I don’t know, more words from both Austin and Rose, and then at the same time I think it wasn’t necessary. I just wanted the characters to keep on talking. I guess I just wished that this book had a sequel.As for my favorite moment in the book, that is when Lily says goodbye to dear Shep, the old ranch-hand and the family long-time friend. Unforgettable.I’ve decided I’m absolutely going to read every other book Jo-Ann Mapson has written.
What do You think about The Wilder Sisters: A Novel (2000)?
Rose and Lily (named for flowers) are sisters. They haven't spoken to each other for 5 years. Each sister envies the life the other one has. Rose was married, has 2 children and works in a vet's office. Lily has never married and works for a surgical insturments company. She lives the "high life." She would love to have been married and have children. Due to a series of circumstances the two sisers are together again. It is a good story and likeable characters. I probably would have given it 4 stars but I don't appreciate the writing style of this story. There are many long paragraphs, even one that is almost 2 pages long. Guess my attention span is short, but sometimes by the time I was at the end of the paragraph, I had forgotten what the first part of it was about.
—Diana
