The tragic story....

I loved Hoffman's first books but her tone has turned darker and depressing as the years go by. I keep hoping to find the magic of her first books only to be more and more disappointed. No doubt both the reading and the writing quality are good. However, I wish this was a happier story showing how violent acts can destroy not only the damaged child but have the power to destroy a entire famil with a little less of tragedy. I wonder why Claire never told Annie, or her other sister Meg the reason behind the anger that consumed Elf considering the family's unity and love. Overall, the tale could have been sunnier without deviating from the intent. When I read for pleasure I want to feel hopeful not to feel sad, for that I only have news to read the news. I had a lot of trouble finishing to hear this book. So unless you want to be bummed for the fun of it, spend your money elsewhere or check the book from your local library.

16 people found this helpful

Another great Hoffman story but not the narrator

Alice Hoffman again throws you into an eerie mood of demons and evil and passionate love that sweeps you away, but also love that is calm, and trustworthy. Another listen I stayed out in the garden weeding because I couldn't stop. BUT, the narrator's accent was way too strong. New York or New Jersey, which ever it did not match the characters well. The young girls sounded like middle age women talking fake high voices. She also kept laughing as the narrator, which made the narrator parts (which are large portions of Alice Hoffman's books, distracting and not just build the background mood and ambiance. I would highly recommend reading this book, which I did as well, as the audible version takes away from the depth of the story.

12 people found this helpful

Haunting Hoffman

A quick, happy fix? Not this novel, but magically like life, if you can endure and hold on through the dark, rough squalls of the storm, you will find rich, warm yellow light on the other side. I find this a more satisfying read than "The Third Angel," which I loved, but this "The Story Sisters" is more lyrical, despite the tragedy lurking around every echoing corridor, beauty survives, joy bursts up like tomatoes of gold and green and brown in surprising places. Elv and Meg are fully drawn characters, even if they frustrate you to near death with their angst and self-loathing. But life has bad things, and often we lie to ourselves, hardly admitting that dark secret from back when, but it is always there, the demonic shadow, following along, pouncing upon every doubt, whispering in punctuation to every flaw. Alice Hoffman shows us that despite the bad things in every story, life is worth living, it is magical, and to my heart this story comes close to my two favorites "The Probable Future" and "Practical Magic." No romantic fluff here, but true romance, bone deep, painful, mysterious and haunting. There are funerals, and hardly a wedding, and more than a couple of calamities. But there is also invented language, fireflies of crystalline enchantment flitting all about the story. Read this novel once, and it is assured you will read it again. Art et Amour Toujours

5 people found this helpful

Depressing, somewhat pointless

If you listen for entertainment this is a well written, sad, depressing story. Well narrated. I kept listening, hoping for more than it gave. I realize many families probably live through much of the same but I don't pay for books to be brought down this far.

5 people found this helpful

This was a very haunting book....

....it was also very magical and very sad at times..........the sisters are beautiful and each is damaged in her own way.....the lives they lead are amazing and tragic.....Alice Hoffman uses such beautiful prose when she writes..........you can actually smell the flowers and taste the foods that she writes about.........colors are much more beautiful in her books than in your average book...........I enjoyed this book and it is one that keeps me thinking about it long after I have finished it and put it down.

4 people found this helpful

What A Waste

I have never been so disappointed in an Audible purchase as I have with this one. It seemed like a good read until about half way into part 1. Then I felt like it was a 4th grader writing about their experience at a rehab. It went on and on without any purpose. I finally deleted it from my list.

4 people found this helpful

Different

That is the best way to describe this book. At first I was a little confused about the time period, and that made it hard to follow. Then when the internet was mentioned that helped. I gave it 3 stars because I did listen all the way through (mainly due to the narrator) but not sure I would recommend this audio book. If I had been reading rather than listening to the book, I think I would have abandoned it.

3 people found this helpful

Animal violence

I am sensitive to animal violence, particularly cats and horses. Within the first 30 minutes there are very graphic and unnecessary scenes depicting violence to animals.

1 person found this helpful

Sad Story that Ends Positive

I very much enjoyed the characters and woven storylines. Hoffman uses such beautiful language and matter of fact way of handling difficult or painful topics. Well done.

So good, so tragic

Alice Hoffmann does it again. Beautiful sad story, I would read again Love the Story Sisters ♥️