Books 119-120: The Secret Lives of Sisters and The Witches of Eastwick.
Book 119: The Secret Lives of Sisters.
Author: Linda Kelsey, 2008.
Genre: Chick Lit. Drama.
Other Details: Hardback, 296 pages.
This was the December choice for one of my book groups. It is the story of sisters Hannah and Cat, whose stormy relationship form the core of the novel. Beginning with a series of explosive events on the wedding day of Hannah's daughter, it then flashes back to their childhood in a privileged but dysfunctional home, which provides the backdrop to their increasingly complicated relationship. As adults, both women have become successful in their careers though issues from the past still haunt them.
While not really my kind of book, I found it an engaging read. I do think the UK cover did make it seem a much lighter weight story than it proved to be.
Book 120: The Witches of Eastwick.
Author: John Updike, 1984.
Genre: Satire. Modern lit.
Other Details: Unabridged audiobook, length: 11 hours, 53 minutes. Read by Lorelei King.
Set in a small fictional New England town in the late 1960s, it is the tale of three witches. Alexandra Spoffard, a sculptress, who could create thunderstorms; Jane Smart, a cellist, who could fly and the local gossip columnist, Sukie Rougemont, who could turn milk into cream. They are all divorced though not celibate. Then one day they fall under the spell of a new man in town the devilish, Darryl Van Horne.
Having only previously encountered the film adaptation starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer, I was surprised how dark and erotic the original novel was. Not one for my favourites pile though I am glad I did finally read as it is a modern classic.
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.