The Sister is a tale of two sisters, vivacious Vivien and the very logical, lepidopterist, Virginia. Their complex relationship undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis, much like the moths that Virginia and her father study so intently. As told to us by Virginia the young sisters are inseparable, loving and carefree. Vivien is three years younger than Virginia, but she takes on the role of protecting her older sister.
Although we’re never quite sure why Virginia needs protection, there are many implications that she has some kind of disability – perhaps a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Clearly she has difficulty understanding and relating to people, including her family. By her own admission, Virginia much prefers the company of moths and the scientific process to the company of human beings & their incomprehensible emotions.
The family begins to unravel when Vivien “sheds her shell” and moves to London to begin a new life, leaving Virginia behind to deal with her mother’s alcoholism and her father’s absorption in his research. Virginia finds security and comfort in the order and rules of nature and scientific study but the secrets they keep are the catalyst for the dramatic turn of events at the end of the story. The sisters each have their own perception of reality, but what determines the truth? The Sister explores the theme of what constitutes reality and truth and led me to the question: is there such a thing as universal truth that transcends our individual realities?
Although it contained a bit too much information on the study of moths for my taste, I found The Sister to be a thought provoking and interesting read with enough complexity for a good book group discussion.
Although we’re never quite sure why Virginia needs protection, there are many implications that she has some kind of disability – perhaps a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Clearly she has difficulty understanding and relating to people, including her family. By her own admission, Virginia much prefers the company of moths and the scientific process to the company of human beings & their incomprehensible emotions.
The family begins to unravel when Vivien “sheds her shell” and moves to London to begin a new life, leaving Virginia behind to deal with her mother’s alcoholism and her father’s absorption in his research. Virginia finds security and comfort in the order and rules of nature and scientific study but the secrets they keep are the catalyst for the dramatic turn of events at the end of the story. The sisters each have their own perception of reality, but what determines the truth? The Sister explores the theme of what constitutes reality and truth and led me to the question: is there such a thing as universal truth that transcends our individual realities?
Although it contained a bit too much information on the study of moths for my taste, I found The Sister to be a thought provoking and interesting read with enough complexity for a good book group discussion.
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