The Story Sisters

A Novel

By: Alice Hoffman

Narrated by: Nancy Travis

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

A spellbinding coming of age novel about three sisters and the relationships and choices that shape their lives from the best-selling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, The Rules of Magic

"This bewitching novel explores the bonds of sisterhood like a haunting modern fairy tale." (Glamour)

Each of three sisters—Elv, Claire, and Meg—has a fate she must meet alone: one on a country road, one in the streets of Paris, and one in the corridors of her own imagination.

Inhabiting their world are a charismatic man who cannot tell the truth, a neighbor who is not who he appears to be, a clumsy boy in Paris who falls in love and stays there, a detective who finds his heart's desire, and a demon who will not let go.

What does a mother do when one of her children goes astray? How does she save one daughter without sacrificing the others? How deep can love go, and how far can it take you? These are the questions this luminous novel asks.

At once a coming-of-age tale, a family saga, and a love story of sensual longing, The Story Sisters sifts through the miraculous and the mundane as the girls become women and their choices haunt them, change them and, finally, redeem them. It confirms Alice Hoffman's reputation as "a writer whose keen ear for the measure struck by the beat of the human heart is unparalleled". (The Chicago Tribune).

©2009 Alice Hoffman (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Hoffman’s characters are always moving back and forth, challenging our perceptions, daring us to judge them. Her sentences tremble with allegory. . . . In the end, The Story Sisters, for all its magic realism, is about a family navigating through motherhood, sisterhood, daughterhood. It’s Little Women on mushrooms. (Bookish sisters beware).”–New York Times Book Review

“Hoffman is celebrated for her ability to conjure plausible alternative realities, to sprinkle her landscapes with witches and other mythical creatures, while keeping her stories closely tethered to familiar terrain. There’s a mysticism that swirls about her works but, like a late-morning fog, it eventually burns off to reveal a physical and emotional topography that most all of us can recognize.”–Chicago Tribune

"This bewitching novel explores the bonds of sisterhood like a haunting modern fairy tale."–Glamour

Beautiful

I love Alice Hoffman's voice when she tells a story and 'The Story Sisters" is another beautiful, haunting tale. Nancy Travis is a fabulous narrator and really does justice to the story.

The tragic story....

I loved Hoffman's first books but her tone has turned darker and depressing as the years go by. I keep hoping to find the magic of her first books only to be more and more disappointed. No doubt both the reading and the writing quality are good. However, I wish this was a happier story showing how violent acts can destroy not only the damaged child but have the power to destroy a entire famil with a little less of tragedy. I wonder why Claire never told Annie, or her other sister Meg the reason behind the anger that consumed Elf considering the family's unity and love. Overall, the tale could have been sunnier without deviating from the intent. When I read for pleasure I want to feel hopeful not to feel sad, for that I only have news to read the news. I had a lot of trouble finishing to hear this book. So unless you want to be bummed for the fun of it, spend your money elsewhere or check the book from your local library.

Another great Hoffman story but not the narrator

Alice Hoffman again throws you into an eerie mood of demons and evil and passionate love that sweeps you away, but also love that is calm, and trustworthy. Another listen I stayed out in the garden weeding because I couldn't stop. BUT, the narrator's accent was way too strong. New York or New Jersey, which ever it did not match the characters well. The young girls sounded like middle age women talking fake high voices. She also kept laughing as the narrator, which made the narrator parts (which are large portions of Alice Hoffman's books, distracting and not just build the background mood and ambiance. I would highly recommend reading this book, which I did as well, as the audible version takes away from the depth of the story.

Nostalgic read

Great read about how love and loss shape our yesterdays, today's, and tomorrows. Good conquers evil.

Enchanting

When I first read this novel I felt every emotion the Story sisters had. It sweeps you away and doesn't let you go till the very last sentence.

This was a very haunting book....

....it was also very magical and very sad at times..........the sisters are beautiful and each is damaged in her own way.....the lives they lead are amazing and tragic.....Alice Hoffman uses such beautiful prose when she writes..........you can actually smell the flowers and taste the foods that she writes about.........colors are much more beautiful in her books than in your average book...........I enjoyed this book and it is one that keeps me thinking about it long after I have finished it and put it down.

Sad, but worth it

This was waaay, more depressing than I thought, but also maybe more real? or as real as magical realism will allow, lol.

Actions have consequences, and they're not always nice. A mom who made excuses instead of getting to the bottom of her daughter's trauma. A girl who ran away from it all in the form of arnish. Sisters who blame themselves for the bad things in the world

This is a story of regrets. for the things that happened, for choices made, for the people who come into these lives and can't be held on to tight enough.

But also love, and new beginnings and family--the kind we're born into and the kind we create.

definitely worth the read

someone has to have a happy ending!

For those who havnt been gifted a charmed NORMAL life this is a book for you. It will remind you of your heartaches but also show that with patience and hope love will come in one way or another.
I recommend this book to all!

Wonderful Story!

I like, love and stand in awe of the magnificent lyrical quality that Alice Hoffman brings to all of her work.
This book flows around every aspect of the characters lives and I'm the lucky person who gets to float along enjoying the tale.

Phenomenal

The sadness of this story could be overwhelming if it weren't for the indepth perspectives of each characters strengths and attributes. I love that it is so complete and follows each person through to an ending that can be relates to and provides...maybe not a feeling of joy but satisfaction that it will be ok for them. Loved it even with the tears.