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michellehenriereads's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC for Sisterhood of the Infamous and this is my honest review.
Previously, I'd read The Hawkman, and loved the lyrical language so I couldn't wait to read Sisterhood of the Infamous. This book has a different storyline, but I felt like it addressed similar themes of humanity, identity, social interaction, and how we love others. It describes the life of Barb and her sister with such poignancy it could make me cry over their misunderstandings.
The prose often feels like modern poetry, expressing painful emotions. Showing a connection between anorexia and cancer was one of the most interesting moments for me because I've had loved ones who have gone through both diseases. I love it when an author helps us see from a new perspective or to broaden our understanding. LaForge's writing feel authentic because she delves deeply where others might shy away.
Because of having read previous works, I wondered if there was a fairy tale buried within this story. This may not have been the authors intent, but I saw such a story around searching for fame in Hollywood compared to the anonymous life in New York—a moralistic tale of being careful what you wish for. Is infamous as good as famous? When is it time to accept a life outside of fame? How are you changed?
The external plot is around a Hollywood murder of a gay rights activist and singer, Jasmine, and how her death might connect to Barb since she's a cancer patient on hospice. This proves to be a wonderful vehicle for the internal plot, exploring what Barb wanted and lost in life. And on deaths' doorstep, what does she wish for the very most? Is she guilty of murdering her former lover? Does the quest for fame still drive her or something else? (Sorry, I'm not answering and giving spoilers.)
You'll have to pick up this one for yourself. Sisterhood of the Infamous has the power to touch and change lives.
Previously, I'd read The Hawkman, and loved the lyrical language so I couldn't wait to read Sisterhood of the Infamous. This book has a different storyline, but I felt like it addressed similar themes of humanity, identity, social interaction, and how we love others. It describes the life of Barb and her sister with such poignancy it could make me cry over their misunderstandings.
The prose often feels like modern poetry, expressing painful emotions. Showing a connection between anorexia and cancer was one of the most interesting moments for me because I've had loved ones who have gone through both diseases. I love it when an author helps us see from a new perspective or to broaden our understanding. LaForge's writing feel authentic because she delves deeply where others might shy away.
Because of having read previous works, I wondered if there was a fairy tale buried within this story. This may not have been the authors intent, but I saw such a story around searching for fame in Hollywood compared to the anonymous life in New York—a moralistic tale of being careful what you wish for. Is infamous as good as famous? When is it time to accept a life outside of fame? How are you changed?
The external plot is around a Hollywood murder of a gay rights activist and singer, Jasmine, and how her death might connect to Barb since she's a cancer patient on hospice. This proves to be a wonderful vehicle for the internal plot, exploring what Barb wanted and lost in life. And on deaths' doorstep, what does she wish for the very most? Is she guilty of murdering her former lover? Does the quest for fame still drive her or something else? (Sorry, I'm not answering and giving spoilers.)
You'll have to pick up this one for yourself. Sisterhood of the Infamous has the power to touch and change lives.
booksteacupnreviews's review
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Sisterhood of the Infamous was interesting and beautifully written fiction that revolved around Barbara who was dying from cancer and her older sister. It was about family relationship, sibling rivalry, fame culture, suffering from cancer and anorexia, being gay in the 1970’s, resilience, identity, humanity, and heartbreak.
Writing was beautiful, lyrical, vivid, and poetic filled with emotions but was slow paced for me. It was mostly set in 1970s Los Angeles, narrated from dual perspective from Barbara and her sister, alternatively which worked perfectly.
I liked the layers of gay rights, fame culture and its impact, fighting chronic disease, life comparisons of living near Hollywood and in New York, struggle of musician in competitive world, life of homeless, and humanity.
The suspense of whether Barbara had anything to do with Jasmine’s murder or not was good. At some point I was sure about it but then third half made me rethink it, and I kept thinking over her actions and steps she took, what if she hadn’t met all those people or decided not to out her sister from will. End was sad.
Overall, Sisterhood of the Infamous realistic, sad, and multi-layered poetic Literary Fiction. I recommend to readers who enjoy poetic prose and Literary fiction / women’s fiction.
Read full review on my book blog by following this link - #BookReview : Sisterhood of the Infamous by Jane Rosenberg LaForge #SisterhoodOfInfamous / / multi-layered poetic Literary Fiction - Books Teacup and Reviews (booksteacupnreviews.com)
Writing was beautiful, lyrical, vivid, and poetic filled with emotions but was slow paced for me. It was mostly set in 1970s Los Angeles, narrated from dual perspective from Barbara and her sister, alternatively which worked perfectly.
I liked the layers of gay rights, fame culture and its impact, fighting chronic disease, life comparisons of living near Hollywood and in New York, struggle of musician in competitive world, life of homeless, and humanity.
The suspense of whether Barbara had anything to do with Jasmine’s murder or not was good. At some point I was sure about it but then third half made me rethink it, and I kept thinking over her actions and steps she took, what if she hadn’t met all those people or decided not to out her sister from will. End was sad.
Overall, Sisterhood of the Infamous realistic, sad, and multi-layered poetic Literary Fiction. I recommend to readers who enjoy poetic prose and Literary fiction / women’s fiction.
Read full review on my book blog by following this link - #BookReview : Sisterhood of the Infamous by Jane Rosenberg LaForge #SisterhoodOfInfamous / / multi-layered poetic Literary Fiction - Books Teacup and Reviews (booksteacupnreviews.com)
amalia1985's review
5.0
‘’A body always begins a story such as this. My body, her body; mine to be burned, hers razed by violent action; to be discovered along a remote trail of russet hills and yellow grass, beneath a rare, open sky. She will be laid in a cemetery that becomes a stop on a tourist bus or a destination undertaken on adolescent pilgrimages. I will be spread on the water, to sink to the bottom, or evaporated into the nether-history of the air.’’
Barbara is dying. She is fighting cancer with her sister at her side. As her body is struggling in a desperate battle, her mind goes back to a turbulent and fascinating era. Prompted by a violent incident that results in the death of a woman from her past, Barbara reflects on a life full of challenges and hurdles. Her sister tries to understand the motives that led Barbara to the choices she made throughout her life.
Jane Rosenberg LaForge moves away from WWI and her beautiful novel The Hawkman and takes us on a journey to the 1970s, the era of doubt and reformation, social changes, challenges, the time when there was still hope for a new society. Within a very tender story, the writer weaves so many issues that are relevant to our time, themes that concern us all. The question of womanhood and the way women were - and still are - viewed as mothers and wives, and God forbid that we should ever desire to follow a career- originated life or choose to love a woman. God forbid that we should choose to ‘’ disobey’’ our parents and the orders of a narrow-minded society.
Motherhood and sisterhood define - for better or worse - our lives. The bond between the two sisters, two strong women with firm aspirations and convictions. Their relationship is put in jeopardy by the games of Fate and Fame, the mercurial force that calls s to sacrifice our feelings and integrity to ‘’ make it’’ to whatever ‘’City of Angels’’ dictates our dreams. Dreams that are built on sand. And Death is watching. The inevitable outcome, whether by natural causes, by a terrible disease or by violence, the end is certain and calls for reflection.
A beautiful novel about love, aspirations, thwarted dreams, loss and the fight of the human spirit as two women try to make amends with the past and with each other.
‘’My life will dissolve and dissipate, spike like influenza when this is done. When a fever breaks, there is a sense of relief, of freedom from whatever pain there was. But my fever will not break this way.’’
Many thanks to Jane Rosenberg LaForge and New Meridian Arts Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
Barbara is dying. She is fighting cancer with her sister at her side. As her body is struggling in a desperate battle, her mind goes back to a turbulent and fascinating era. Prompted by a violent incident that results in the death of a woman from her past, Barbara reflects on a life full of challenges and hurdles. Her sister tries to understand the motives that led Barbara to the choices she made throughout her life.
Jane Rosenberg LaForge moves away from WWI and her beautiful novel The Hawkman and takes us on a journey to the 1970s, the era of doubt and reformation, social changes, challenges, the time when there was still hope for a new society. Within a very tender story, the writer weaves so many issues that are relevant to our time, themes that concern us all. The question of womanhood and the way women were - and still are - viewed as mothers and wives, and God forbid that we should ever desire to follow a career- originated life or choose to love a woman. God forbid that we should choose to ‘’ disobey’’ our parents and the orders of a narrow-minded society.
Motherhood and sisterhood define - for better or worse - our lives. The bond between the two sisters, two strong women with firm aspirations and convictions. Their relationship is put in jeopardy by the games of Fate and Fame, the mercurial force that calls s to sacrifice our feelings and integrity to ‘’ make it’’ to whatever ‘’City of Angels’’ dictates our dreams. Dreams that are built on sand. And Death is watching. The inevitable outcome, whether by natural causes, by a terrible disease or by violence, the end is certain and calls for reflection.
A beautiful novel about love, aspirations, thwarted dreams, loss and the fight of the human spirit as two women try to make amends with the past and with each other.
‘’My life will dissolve and dissipate, spike like influenza when this is done. When a fever breaks, there is a sense of relief, of freedom from whatever pain there was. But my fever will not break this way.’’
Many thanks to Jane Rosenberg LaForge and New Meridian Arts Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
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