Official Review: Sister Girl by Jonna Ivin

[shayna]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Sister Girl" by Jonna Ivin.]

---

Share This Review

---

Coming of age novels have a tendency to fall into repetitive patterns or portray motifs that have grown tired and overused in literature. However, every once in a while, there rises a book that thoroughly captures the essence of a child-like spirit. To anyone with younger siblings, reading Sister Girl immediately brings back the humorous memories of stories that moms and dads have laughed at and told to their friends at dinner parties. Sister Girl, by Jonna Ivin, provides a glimpse back in time through the eyes of four year old Tess, to whom has just been born a baby sister.

The book begins in 1967 as Tess looks at her new baby sister, who she still calls an "it", from the backseat of the family car. Now feeling as though in the backseat of her own life, Tess struggles with accepting her new life. Riddled with profanity and hi-jinks. Sister Girl gives a realistic reminder of the joys and struggles of childhood.

The novel follows Tess through young adolescence until the age of 18, providing readers with an entertaining span to a ridiculous yet utterly believable tale. Where the author triumphs is in her ability to create a world that does not seem so different from our own, using exceptional rhetorical devices and literary flair to communicate. It is the relatable tone of the novel that makes it so entertaining and interesting, and it engrosses the reader from the start. Ivin does a brilliant job of settling into the appropriate tone and pace from the start, and the novel consistently maintains said pace throughout.

Ivin use of syntactical structure holds together the novel, providing fluidity between its components. Managing to ease effortlessly from year to year, the writing develops as Tess does. It gives the reader the sense of aging and growth alongside the heroin. The text is bound into conventional chapters that never seem to bear on too long, as every moment or detail is thorough without being overdone. Where other writers may fall due to oversimplified thematic elements, Ivin prospers. The underdevelopment of a narrative can give it a cliché feel, but Ivin portrays realism in fiction, a testament to a truly notable piece. Sister Girl is fresh and captivating, as the plot barrels away without a pause without ever making the reader feel as though they are struggling to keep up.

The story itself is interesting and fun, but it is a testament to the author for conveying it in such an appealing manner. It has a great sense of nostalgia, but above all is a comedic look back at what millions of young adolescents have lived through. Laugh-out-loud funny and touching, Ivin provides a reminder that we were all young once, and getting to where we are has not been a breeze. Despite all obstacles, we overcome with love, friendship, and a few good laughs.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars!I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a good laugh, especially to those with younger siblings.

***
Buy "Sister Girl" on Amazon

[DEON1]

Sounds like a book to read but the review doesn't give much to go on, speaks more about the author's writing style

[shayna]

Sounds like a book to read but the review doesn't give much to go on, speaks more about the author's writing style

I understand! Unfortunately it can be difficult to write reviews without revealing key elements to the plot, so I had to keep it somewhat vague.