The Story Sisters

A Novel

By: Alice Hoffman

Narrated by: Nancy Travis

A spellbinding coming of age novel about three sisters and the relationships and choices that shape their lives from the bestselling 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

“Any new book by Hoffman is an occasion to rejoice, as is the case with The Story Sisters.”
– Sacramento Bee

“The sisters’ struggle to grow and thrive in the real world will keep you riveted to the pages of this heartbreaking novel about the powers and limits of love.”
– Redbook

"When it comes to blending magic and the mundane routines of life, there's no finer writer than Alice Hoffman -- but even she has outdone herself with her latest novel. The Story Sisters hearkens back to the classic fairy tale, where one must suffer fear and loss before stumbling upon a happy ending. Hoffman reminds us with every sentence that words have the power to transport us to alternate worlds, to heal a broken heart, and to tie us irrevocably to the people we love."
– Jodi Picoult, author of Handle With Care

“The always dazzling Hoffman has outdone herself in this bewitching weave of psychologically astute fantasy and shattering realism….this is an
entrancing and romantic drama shot through with radiant beauty and belief in human resilience and transformation.”
– Booklist (starred review)

“Painfully moving….there are beautiful moments throughout.”
– Kirkus Reviews

“Keeps readers heartbroken yet spellbound, turning the pages.”
– Library Journal

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.