The Good Sister: A Novel

Drusilla Campbell
Grand Central Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780446535786
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (12/10)

 

“The Good Sister” is a fictional story about sisters Roxanne and Simone.  Roxanne has looked after and protected her delicate younger sister since they were children.  As adults, she still feels responsible for acting as Simone’s caregiver, even at the risk of ruining her own marriage.  Simone has four daughters (and has had several miscarriages) and in submission to her husband’s wishes keeps getting pregnant in the hopes of blessing him with the son he has always wanted.  However, she suffers from postpartum depression and is incapable of properly caring for the children she already has.  Her family members are in denial, but when Simone does the unthinkable they must band together to support her.

This book is greatly enhanced by the author allowing the reader to see inside the characters’ thoughts.  The story is told mainly from Roxanne’s point of view.  Her feelings are well-documented--resentment for being expected to watch over her sister, but guilt for seeing her as a burden.  When things go terribly wrong, she feels responsible because maybe she has not done enough.  Merell, Simone’s nine-year-old daughter, also offers insight to the situation.  She can tell something is wrong with her mother, but no one wants to acknowledge it.  As a result, Merell takes on the burden of keeping her family functioning, almost trying to fulfill Roxanne’s role.

This is a good choice for a book club to undertake due to the variety of aspects it covers.  The topic of the causes and treatments of postpartum depression is one about which people should seek knowledge.  Roxanne’s anger about having to always put her sister’s needs ahead of her own should be explored.  Was she justified in behaving that way or did she secretly want to feel needed?  The ways in which children are affected by the mother’s postpartum depression are examined.  The demands of a husband who insists his wife bear him a son will surely elicit a strong reaction.

“The Good Sister” is a touching story that will cause an emotional response in every reader.  It may range from sadness or sympathy to anger and disgust.  Adult females will relate best to this story as they are often looked upon to act as caregivers and nurturers, sometimes at the expense of leading their own lives.

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