Book Review: The Language of Sisters

Title:  The Language of Sisters
Author:  Amy Hatvany
Where I got it:  From Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review

Amazon Summary:

Ten years ago, Nicole Hunter left her troubled home behind her, unable to cope with the demands of a life with her disabled sister, Jenny. Though her search for happiness—both in career and in love—has fallen short of her dreams, Nicole pretends that all is well. Then a shattering event turns her world upside down, and suddenly, she is back in her hometown, caring for her pregnant sister and trying to heal her embattled relationship with her mother.

Reunited with her family and forced to confront the guilt that haunts her, Nicole finally has the chance to be the sister she always wished she’d been. And when she is faced with the most difficult choice of her life, Nicole rediscovers the beauty of sisterhood—and receives a special gift that will change her life forever.

My Thoughts:
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my experiences with Amy Hatvany’s work thus far, and I hope to have the chance to read more in the future.  She takes challenging and emotional issues, and writes about them in a realistic and sensitive manner that engages and informs the reader. 

In The Language of Sisters, Nicole is returning to her hometown and family after a long and emotional absence.  Her younger sister, Jenny, has been in a care facility for the past ten years, and was recently raped and turned up pregnant.  Jenny has never been able to communicate or care for herself, which caused a huge amount of turmoil in the family.  Nicole has carrier her guilt over isntitutionalizing Jenny, and the sense that she failed to protect Jenny, for as long as she can remember.

As she cares for her challenged sister, she discovers the truth about her family’s past, and the things that she really wants out of life.  Letting go of the guilt is a challenge, but Nicole will need to in order to embrace a better future.

I honestly cannot even begin to imagine the challenge of raising a child with a sever handicap, and my heart goes out to anyone who has to.  I’m certain that the life altering, mind boggling complexity of Jenny’s care is merely scratching the surface of the potential needs of such a child, and I’m equally sure that it takes a very special family to be able to handle that type of challenge without falling apart.  The story felt realistic to me in that sense, and also in the deep and unconditional love that is still present between everyone in the family, even Jenny.  This is a touching and emotional novel that will keep you turning the pages to the very end to see how everything turns out.