bdwerner's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence, Trafficking, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Animal death
lmlanigan's review
4.0
Good story about a family living in Baja California, Mexico, narrated by Guadalupe (Lucy), who is the title character. Liked the Rashomon-style deep dives into different characters' lives in this novel. This is the second one I've gotten through Introverts' Retreat.
acouplereadss's review
3.0
Welcome to the heart-wrenching story that is The Good Sister written by Chelsea Bolan. This book was extremely heavy so I would suggest you read it when you need a serious read! I wish I had a warning because this book made me sad but also hopeful for the characters.
The book starts out with Lucy the protagonist witnessing her father burning everything her older sister came in contact with. All her possessions, clothes, photographs, anything that reminded him of Gabriela. Lucy as Gabriela’s younger sister is frightened and wants her sister to come back home. You find out that it was their father who banished Gabriela from their home and refuses to let her come back. The book is told from various point of views (POVs) from all family members and although different POVs are a hit or miss for me this one wasn’t too bad in that aspect.
Mother’s POV – the girls’ mother is heartbroken as any mother would be when her daughter goes missing. I found these portions of the book the hardest to read. It really touched my soul and I felt as though I was witnessing the mother’s heartbreak first hand.
Lucy – I was cheering for Lucy throughout the whole book! She was my favourite and I really loved the way she didn’t lose her morals or her fire throughout the trials she endured in this book.
Father’s POV – man did the author do a good job of making you HATE the father. This was really well written and it made me feel for the family the most.
Other POVs – I found them to definitely add to the story but didn’t enjoy some of the other sections. That is the reason I believe POVs ruin certain portions of the books. However, this did not take away from the book in my opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed this one you guys and the entire time I just wanted to know WHERE IS GABRIELA, WHAT DID SHE DO, WHAT IS HAPPENING! Definitely recommend this to any book club that is searching for a book full of hidden secrets by a dysfunctional family.
The book starts out with Lucy the protagonist witnessing her father burning everything her older sister came in contact with. All her possessions, clothes, photographs, anything that reminded him of Gabriela. Lucy as Gabriela’s younger sister is frightened and wants her sister to come back home. You find out that it was their father who banished Gabriela from their home and refuses to let her come back. The book is told from various point of views (POVs) from all family members and although different POVs are a hit or miss for me this one wasn’t too bad in that aspect.
Mother’s POV – the girls’ mother is heartbroken as any mother would be when her daughter goes missing. I found these portions of the book the hardest to read. It really touched my soul and I felt as though I was witnessing the mother’s heartbreak first hand.
Lucy – I was cheering for Lucy throughout the whole book! She was my favourite and I really loved the way she didn’t lose her morals or her fire throughout the trials she endured in this book.
Father’s POV – man did the author do a good job of making you HATE the father. This was really well written and it made me feel for the family the most.
Other POVs – I found them to definitely add to the story but didn’t enjoy some of the other sections. That is the reason I believe POVs ruin certain portions of the books. However, this did not take away from the book in my opinion.
Overall, I enjoyed this one you guys and the entire time I just wanted to know WHERE IS GABRIELA, WHAT DID SHE DO, WHAT IS HAPPENING! Definitely recommend this to any book club that is searching for a book full of hidden secrets by a dysfunctional family.
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