The Sitting Sisters

By Martha Carr

A forced reunion of four sisters who have gathered to watch their father die becomes a cathartic exercise in finding where each of their pieces lit in the family puzzle. But the puzzle has been thrown into the air and each sister begins to realize she cannot put it back together from childhood memories--too many holes. Told through the eyes of the second of four daughters, Taliaferro Ervin, Tollie," "The Sitting Sisters by Martha Randolph Carr explores the differences in what siblings carry into their adulthood--all from what they "thought was the same childhood. They slowly begin to realize how their strayed experiences shaped each of their lives in very different ways. As this story of self-discovery begins the three oldest sisters have just come home at the request of the youngest, who chose to stay and care for their father after their mother's death. The sisters are careful not to discuss their father's shocking illness in public or even on the phone. Party lines and eavesdropping are the norm on the fictional South Carolina barrier island of Kelsal, and the sisters know that their father's standing in the community as the Episcopal minister would be in danger if word got out. Returning to the island as adults to face the loss of their father together, they discover many unanswered questions. More holes in their family history force Tollie on a journey she hadn't planned to take. Like many of us, she believes her answers reside just over the horizon. But Tollie discovers that what she is looking for lies closer to the questions than in the dreamy distance. "The Sitting Sisters come to the realization that their family built on love is covered with so many layers of abandonedemotions and generations of secrets, that the sisters have each come to doubt love in their own ways They ultimately find that redemption comes from within and peace comes in how you manage your memories and draw from them to focus on your future."

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581823657
• ISBN13: 9781581823653
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.0" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Worth every dime....

Martha Randolph Carr does a great job painting the relationships, scenery, and history of the people in this isolated island community. The story revolves around the second to the oldest of four sisters, who reluctantly returns home when her father falls ill and is due to die. It has turmoil, secrecy, love, history, and a little bit of every woman wrapped in these four women. For me, it shows how four people, raised in the same environment, can have completely different lives, personalities, and memories. It made me see into my own life and past. If you are looking for rape, murder, or any of the socially acceptable means of book selling today, this is not it. It's a chick-book... to be read on lazy Sundays when you don't want to get out of bed.

deep relationship drama

Taliaferro "Tollie" Ervin knows that she would never have come home to Kelsal, a small South Carolina barrier island to watch her father die except at the request of her youngest sister Wallace. Tollie believes her other two sisters Douglas Page and Carter Eleanor would not have returned either except for Wallace.The four siblings think back to momentous events in their lives raised by an Episcopal minister and his wife. While the three oldest fled to the mainland when their mother died, Wallace remained behind to care for their father, the Reverend. None of the quartet expected an epiphany, but soon begin filling in their perspective of their family biography. Each wonders how the incidents that shaped them and the parents that raised them in love and piousness produced four unique souls. When this journey into the unknown ends, what will Tollie, Douglas, Carter, and Wallace take with them, as each understands now that the wiring of the child makes the adult.THE FOUR SISTERS is an intriguing look at relativity, as each of the siblings brings to the table a different perspective on shared major events in their lives. The intelligent story line is an insightful character study told through the mind lens of Tollie that still enables the audience to comprehend what makes each sibling tick and to a lesser degree the motives of their parents too. As the puzzle pieces begin to fill the gaps and spaces (almost like a mystery), fans of deep relationship dramas will enjoy this glimpse at what shapes the adult.Harriet Klausner

Best Book I've Read in Awhile

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book this much from beginning to end. Carr describes the places and people in a way that I could see everything and felt like it was happening while I was reading it. All of the sisters' stories were so nicely woven together - at times funny and other times touching. I've recommended it to my book club. Can't wait to see her next book.

Brutal honesty and ultimate redemption...

Without a doubt, this superb novel grabs you from page one with its intensity and intelligence. The tale of Southern sisters and their dying father is an engrossing and unforgettable one which will keep you buried in its pages until its surprising climax, at which time you will wish it never ended. I felt a connection unlike any I have ever felt for literary characters in this book. Pick it up as soon as possible, because you won't want to put it down once you do. I can't wait for Ms. Carr's next effort, whatever that may be.

Sisterhood revisited

This is a book for someone who can understand the complexity of sisters and who has withstood the ups and downs of adulthhod with her sisters. It touched my heart and soul and made me value my sisters even more. It also was a poignant tale that offers hope for all of life's transitions. It's about revisiting your childhhod from a new adult perspective and discovering that your perceptions were not as accurate as you thought when you were younger. But, even more, it is a book about healing families.I highly recommend this book to all of my friends. It is very enjoyable.