Reviews

The Orphan Sisters by Shirley Dickson

teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book was a tell, not show. Which I am never a big fan of. Particularly on a topic, such as war, it removes the emotion from it, when we all know that emotions was a big par of wartime. The interactions and characters felt stifled, I didn't feel particularly engaged with their story. I caught myself glossing over parts at times. I feel there are much more impactful books out there that would be much more enjoyable to read.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, and War

gnuoyadnama's review

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

A bit boring and drawn-out. Also very predictable. 

pam2375's review against another edition

5.0

Are you looking for the "UGLY CRY" kind of book? The kind of book that will make you sit there after you have turned the last page? Well, get your box of tissues handy because this is the book for you.

This is the story of two sisters that were dropped off at an orphanage in 1929 by their mother. Why did their mother have to do that? They lived in the orphanage until they were old enough to leave. Etty, the younger sister was able to move in with her sister, Dororthy at the start of WWII.

This is definitely a story that will not disappoint. The characters and the story are very well developed and believable.

My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for this advanced readers copy.

corinnab's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars.
While I did really enjoy this book, there were some things that did not hit for me with the writing style. I liked the characters, but never felt emotionally attached to them. The book was a bit anti-climactic for me. Big things happened, but the scenes never felt emotional. I don't think I got enough of the thoughts and feelings of the characters to make me feel the gravity of the situation. I also found Etty and Trevor to be all over the place with their thoughts, feelings, and intentions.

thebacklist's review

hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

orionswatcher's review against another edition

5.0

Heart wrenching and well written

This book tugged at my heart strings from the get, but I couldn’t put it down. Historical fiction, but written in a way that makes you feel like it could have actually happened the way it was written. Very well done.

apryls's review

3.0

Spoilers: https://manuscriptmusing.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-orphan-sisters-by-shirley-dickson.html

lormacd's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

librarianlinda82's review

4.0

Debut novel about two sisters abandoned by their mother at an orphanage in England in 1929 and their life through 1945. Thought the book was well done until the last chapter then there seemed to be a disconnect with the rest of the story almost as if the author was having trouble ending it. If you like WW2 fiction, you will enjoy this.

claire_crumpler's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0