Reviewed by Colleen McLennan
The author, Kathy Lette, has had a long literary career. She has written twenty books which have been translated into nineteen languages, and has worked in television as a presenter, written a book which was made into a film and TV mini-series as well as writing columns for newspapers and magazines. Recently, she completed a tour of her one-woman show and is widely acclaimed as a comedienne.
As a prelude to this latest novel, Ms Lette lists “15 Sisterhood Rules”, a comprehensive collection of supportive missives encouraging bonding within the Sisterhood.
Before writing this review, I took the opportunity to watch an interview on morning TV with the author. I knew of her work as a comedienne but I wanted to have an insight into her psyche and to understand her passionate advocacy for Sisterhood. Her innately funny but genuinely compassionate soul shone through. To be able to transplant her humour to print and show her joyful disposition warmed me as I turned the pages. Mind you, those of us raised with more prudish traits might feel ever so slightly affronted by the content….as we secretly giggle and choke on our cocoa…. but there is no denying she is a champion at proffering a turn of phrase.
The story revolves around estranged twin sisters, Isabella and Verity, who are worlds apart in temperament and personality. Their estrangement is bitter and seemingly without hope of resolution, based on the betrayal Isabella experienced at the hands of her sister. However, they are forced to come together when their 69-year-old mother, Nicole, a renowned musical conductor, goes missing. To their disdain they discover she is not missing but joyfully embarking on a “later in life” sexual liaison with a much younger man. We learn that Nicol has recently experienced the ending of a secret three-year lesbian relationship so the sisters are perplexed by the new direction her life is taking.
What follows is their quest to save their mother from herself…. to save her from the toy boy!!!! The much younger man, Gawain, is relentless in his pursuit and raises the ire of the sisters who believe he is, in fact, in pursuit of Nicole’s significant bank balance. Other characters are introduced to the story line. There is Johnny, Isabella’s ex-husband and now Verity’s present husband; Chrissie, Isabella and Johnny’s daughter; Melissa, Nicole’s agent; and The Derry Man, Isabella’s music student. Later in the novel we meet Rory, whose special connection with the sisters astounds them.
The reader is taken on a journey following Nicole and Gawain’s very intimate relationship…with very few holds barred. During this heated time, the opportunity for the two sisters to pick apart their hostility to each other is presented. They join forces to thwart Gawain’s incursion into their mother’s life. Various sexual romps are happening which lend fuel to the sisters’ raging concern. With the assistance of The Derry Man, who just happens to be a member of the Police Force…. albeit a police dog handler…the sisters seek background checks on Gawain and uncover certain information that enforces their resolve to protect their mother. Simmering along, also, is trouble for Verity and Johnny. Unknown factions are at work. Could their marriage be in jeopardy? Isabella is able to make a discovery that puts pressure on the marriage and identifies the culprit who is eating away at the solidity of the union. Rory’s arrival is a contentious issue that Nicole must deal with and causes her daughters to question a belief they had always held.
Another tantalizing segment of the novel is presented when an alcohol fuelled Isabella finds she has romantic feelings for The Derry Man and she attempts to seduce him. Being a man of honour, he repels her advances in her inebriated state. Isabella is distraught and angered by his rejection. She emits a tirade of hurtful criticism towards him and he leaves without comment. When she is once again in a sober state, the error of her ways becomes clear and she makes many attempts to regain his favour, but to no avail. It is only much later that he accepts her apology and they are reconciled.
As the story nears conclusion certain realizations occur. Peace and acceptance seep into the long-held grudge. A powerful force envelops the sisters, Chrissie, and Nicole. The Sisterhood is alive and growing, fed by the most special of emotions…the power of love.
Is this book for everyone? Targeted as it is to female readers, some might find it too raunchy and too fixated on sex…. especially those of us in our dotage…. but funny….it is!!!!! Long live the Sisterhood.
The Sisterhood Rules
[2026]
by Kathy Lette
Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 978 1 0359 0154 8
$34.99; 374pp