Rating: 4
Best known for her novel The Time Traveller's Wife, Niffenegger's next publication is this unusual, gothic "visual novel". Obviously a labour of love for Niffenegger, Sisters took several years to finish. The images are full-page sepia aquaprints, accompanying her haunting tale of three sisters, Ophile, Clothilde and Bettine, who live together in a "lonely house by the sea". The images are beautiful, showing the sisters with tall lithe figures, long clingy dresses and long colourful hair.
When the lighthouse keeper dies, he is replaced by the young Paris, who quickly falls in love with Bettine, the youngest and prettiest sister. The eldest sister, Ophile, is also in love with Paris, and her jealousy of Bettine takes a tragic turn. However, redheaded Clothilde is the most interesting sister, forming a psychic relationship with Bettine's unborn child. Clothilde is the heart and soul of the story, and it is her regret and hope that brings the story to its beautiful conclusion.
Though also highly original and melodramatic, Sisters is very, very different from The Time Traveller's Wife. Sisters is a grim yet thoughtful fairy tale whose evocative images will stay with you long after you have finished it. Niffenegger's talents certainly are not limited to her storytelling.
Other blog reviews:
Rhinoa's Ramblings
Nymeth at Things Mean a Lot
Kim at Bold. Blue. Adventure
Saturday, June 21, 2008
The Three Incestuous Sisters - Audrey Niffenegger
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3 comments:
I haven't read The Time Traveller's Wife yet (hopefully I will this year), but I really enjoyed this one. I'm glad you did too :)
I have The Time Traveller's Wife on my TBR but have never heard of this one. Seems to be a lot more of these "visual novels" popping up.
I am glad you enjoyed it. You need to come and read more books here and give me your copy of The Host.
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