Spanning decades and continents, SOUL SISTERS focuses on two pre-teens, raised as sisters (for
reasons undisclosed to avoid spoilers) who, over the years, bond strongly
despite their outer and inner differences. Kimmy is South African, the strong-willed
daughter of jailed activist parents who eventually becomes a highly-sought after
doctor; while Jen, who is from Scotland where both girls live, is mind-set on developing
her talent as an artist despite her father’s reluctance and evident favoritism
over Kimmy’s choice. In fact, one of the novel’s high point is its ability to
show the after-effects of one’s decision over the other. Both protagonists have
a fair share of the spotlight, focusing mostly on their downward spirals as
they go about trying to stay afloat. The author wisely adds a third major
character, a male, to stir even more the plot: envy, jealousy, backstabbing,
using someone for political purposes...
In fact, SOULS
SISTERS does center greatly around politics, more precisely on the history
of apartheid. I knew little of this so it was interesting to read more about
it. But rest assured, it does not hinder one bit the overall effectiveness of
this family saga. Solid writing and characterization, SOUL SISTERS should do very well for its author.
Until next post—Martin
