lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free ARC of The Canterbury Sisters from Gallery Books via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
This book counts towards the summer COYER scavenger hunt item 75 (step outside your comfort zone, read a book in a genre you have read less than five times this year) - 5 points
The Canterbury Sisters is a tale of eight women, walking the Canterbury trail from London to the Cathedral in Canterbury, following in Chaucer's steps, each sharing their stories, searching for redemption and a reason to keep on.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
This book counts towards the summer COYER scavenger hunt item 75 (step outside your comfort zone, read a book in a genre you have read less than five times this year) - 5 points
The Canterbury Sisters is a tale of eight women, walking the Canterbury trail from London to the Cathedral in Canterbury, following in Chaucer's steps, each sharing their stories, searching for redemption and a reason to keep on.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
orygunn's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful, easy to ready story that delves into what relationships mean to everyone and what love is.
susiejo124's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book and give it a 3.5 rating. The book, written by Kim Wright who lives in Charlotte, tells the story of a middle aged woman who takes her mother's ashes to Canterbury which is a place of healing and forgiveness. Che is at loose ends and sad after her mother dies and her boyfriend breaks up with her by a letter and joins a group of women called Broads Abroad on a tour to hike to the cathedral and along the way they tell stories of love and loss.
kristy_k's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced reader's copy from First Reads in return for an honest review.
Honestly, I was unsure of what to expect from The Canterbury Sisters. I've read very little chick lit/women's fiction and most of the time it has been eh. But the beauty and simplicity of the cover initially drew me in and after journeying with these nine women to Canterbury, I am thankful it did.
This is a story of loss, love, and finding one's way, not in one's teens or college years, but at a time where it is assumed we have already completed this task and check marked the appropriate boxes of life's list. I am approaching 30, and the thing I fear is not the decline of my youth or added laugh lines that may soon appear; it is the idea that I have not checked the number of boxes I should have by now. I have not experienced what others deem necessary by this time.
Che herself, though older, has the same quandary in a sense. Yes, she has a successful business, good friends, life experiences, and a decent relationship. The combination of her mother dying and her love life deteriorating (courtesy of the USPS), sends her on a pilgrimage to Canterbury with 8 strangers.
Here, these seemingly opposite women join together to trek the trail Chaucer's pilgrims took to find "healing and forgiveness," in the form of a blessing, at Canterbury. On the way, each woman shares her tale of love. The story of each woman is unique, yet so universal. Each one jaded by time passed, mended hearts, and fictitious additives.
Wright's writing ebbs and flows, like waves on the beach during a calm day. She weaves a tale of women who find camaraderie and companionship on a well beaten path. In the end, there is a peace found from the recognition that life is not perfect, love is difficult, and sometimes you need to pause in order to progress.
Honestly, I was unsure of what to expect from The Canterbury Sisters. I've read very little chick lit/women's fiction and most of the time it has been eh. But the beauty and simplicity of the cover initially drew me in and after journeying with these nine women to Canterbury, I am thankful it did.
This is a story of loss, love, and finding one's way, not in one's teens or college years, but at a time where it is assumed we have already completed this task and check marked the appropriate boxes of life's list. I am approaching 30, and the thing I fear is not the decline of my youth or added laugh lines that may soon appear; it is the idea that I have not checked the number of boxes I should have by now. I have not experienced what others deem necessary by this time.
Che herself, though older, has the same quandary in a sense. Yes, she has a successful business, good friends, life experiences, and a decent relationship. The combination of her mother dying and her love life deteriorating (courtesy of the USPS), sends her on a pilgrimage to Canterbury with 8 strangers.
Here, these seemingly opposite women join together to trek the trail Chaucer's pilgrims took to find "healing and forgiveness," in the form of a blessing, at Canterbury. On the way, each woman shares her tale of love. The story of each woman is unique, yet so universal. Each one jaded by time passed, mended hearts, and fictitious additives.
Wright's writing ebbs and flows, like waves on the beach during a calm day. She weaves a tale of women who find camaraderie and companionship on a well beaten path. In the end, there is a peace found from the recognition that life is not perfect, love is difficult, and sometimes you need to pause in order to progress.
felinity's review against another edition
5.0
Che is forcibly disconnected from her normal life, first by her mother's death - she identifies herself as being *not* like Diana in things - and then by her arrival in another country and finally by the loss of her phone. Isolated by circumstances, she is able to step back and view her life from a new angle, and it's not at all as she thought. Speed and efficiency have no place in this moment.
The new pilgrims take turns telling tales to pass the time, some from their own lives and others recounting fables. A kinship develops between them as secrets are shared, the stories more like confessions than entertainment but connecting them all through the themes of love, loss, reconciliation and reinvention, exposing their own personal myths.
In part this is centered around Che's relationship to her mother Diana, but really it's all about self-discovery. As she walks, she begins to understand who she is, and becomes aware of the subconscious choices she made. The pilgrimage marks the end of an era, the time when Che had at least one living parent, and the beginning of a new acceptance.
It's refreshing, and easy to read, almost as if you're walking next to Che as she shares her thoughts. There are deliberate echoes of Chaucer throughout, even up to the ending. A wonderfully thoughtful book that manages to avoid drowning us in turbulent emotional angst, instead drawing us into the fellowship and joining them at the table.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The new pilgrims take turns telling tales to pass the time, some from their own lives and others recounting fables. A kinship develops between them as secrets are shared, the stories more like confessions than entertainment but connecting them all through the themes of love, loss, reconciliation and reinvention, exposing their own personal myths.
In part this is centered around Che's relationship to her mother Diana, but really it's all about self-discovery. As she walks, she begins to understand who she is, and becomes aware of the subconscious choices she made. The pilgrimage marks the end of an era, the time when Che had at least one living parent, and the beginning of a new acceptance.
It's refreshing, and easy to read, almost as if you're walking next to Che as she shares her thoughts. There are deliberate echoes of Chaucer throughout, even up to the ending. A wonderfully thoughtful book that manages to avoid drowning us in turbulent emotional angst, instead drawing us into the fellowship and joining them at the table.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
caitarin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable. Main character is a bit annoying, but the writing is good.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cheryl1213's review against another edition
3.0
This book appeared on some recent list of books for 30-something women and I was intrigued. Not only did I study the Canterbury Tales in AP English in high school, I took an entire Chaucer course in college that focused on the Tales plus an additional class dealing with medieval literature and art that also touched on Chaucer's works. That is what drew me in, but the read proved to be rather dissatisfying.
Sisters opens on Che, a wine critic who recently lost her (rather eccentric, to put it mildly) mother and was left by her longtime boyfriend. Che's mother leaves her with a final task, to spread her ashes in Canterbury, a request that includes an implicit direction to walk the famous trail. Che ends up doing so with a group of women who decide to spend the trip sharing tales of love. And, of course, there are a few (mis)adventures along the way.
I think I expected too much here. I knew I was wading into a bit of "chick-lit"-land and I was okay with that. The truth is, however, it takes a rare piece of "chick-lit" to truly capture me and to become more than just mind candy. I think I was more interested in Che's reaction to a few wines than any of the characters themselves. That said, it did pass the time and it wasn't bad, it just wasn't good (okay, the ending was pretty bad) and I'd hoped for more. Perhaps my own fault to a degree, but I can't go over 3 stars and would be tempted to say 2.5 if not for small moments and because a lot of my opinion is tainted by the odd turn towards the end of the journey.
Sisters opens on Che, a wine critic who recently lost her (rather eccentric, to put it mildly) mother and was left by her longtime boyfriend. Che's mother leaves her with a final task, to spread her ashes in Canterbury, a request that includes an implicit direction to walk the famous trail. Che ends up doing so with a group of women who decide to spend the trip sharing tales of love. And, of course, there are a few (mis)adventures along the way.
I think I expected too much here. I knew I was wading into a bit of "chick-lit"-land and I was okay with that. The truth is, however, it takes a rare piece of "chick-lit" to truly capture me and to become more than just mind candy. I think I was more interested in Che's reaction to a few wines than any of the characters themselves. That said, it did pass the time and it wasn't bad, it just wasn't good (okay, the ending was pretty bad) and I'd hoped for more. Perhaps my own fault to a degree, but I can't go over 3 stars and would be tempted to say 2.5 if not for small moments and because a lot of my opinion is tainted by the odd turn towards the end of the journey.
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
I smiled and laughed while reading this story. I liked that it was written as a travelogue. I even checked to see if it was non fiction after the first few minutes of listening.
The audio book was pure gold for this book. It felt like I was walking with the women on the way to Canterbury.
Another win was the similarities to the Canterbury Tales, dragging into our modern times.
The audio book was pure gold for this book. It felt like I was walking with the women on the way to Canterbury.
Another win was the similarities to the Canterbury Tales, dragging into our modern times.
jakobmarleymommy's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, I have something new to add to my bucket list; walk the Canterbury Trail. I had no idea that this was even still an option. I can't imagine how incredible it would be to walk in the footsteps of so many pilgrims.
I loved this modern take on the "Canterbury Tales". We all have a story, and all we want is for someone else to hear it. This pilgrimage gave each of the women an opportunity to tell or learn their own story. While Che didn't get to tell her story to the other women, she did learn an incredible amount about herself; I'm not sure she really knew her own story until she undertook this journey.
Parts of the story were a tad predictible; I knew that Dylan would be waiting in Canterbury with her phone. While predictable, it was still a sweet plot point. Che was finally ready to take a chance and go off of the beaten path.
I loved this modern take on the "Canterbury Tales". We all have a story, and all we want is for someone else to hear it. This pilgrimage gave each of the women an opportunity to tell or learn their own story. While Che didn't get to tell her story to the other women, she did learn an incredible amount about herself; I'm not sure she really knew her own story until she undertook this journey.
Parts of the story were a tad predictible; I knew that Dylan would be waiting in Canterbury with her phone. While predictable, it was still a sweet plot point. Che was finally ready to take a chance and go off of the beaten path.