Coming Apart by Karen Heenan

 

 

Sisters
Your first and oldest friend.
Your first and oldest confidant.
Your first and oldest protector.
And also (probably)
Your first and oldest enemy.
A bond like no other.

As they say in India ‘Kuch Khatta, Kuch Meetha’ (Little Sour, Little Sweet)

Coming Apart by Karen Heenan is a saga of sisterhood. Sisterhood at the worst of times and also at the best of times. A tale woven with such intricacy and depth that it will have you reliving your life and reaching out to connect with your siblings.

Set amidst the great depression the story revolves around two sisters Ava and Claire; and the trials and tribulations they undergo.

Their lives might have started out in the same humble beginnings but their paths have long since diverged due to choices and circumstances.

Ava lives in a mining town and is literally dirt poor. Life has taught her to become adept at scrounging around and looking after her mother, husband and numerous children.

Claire on the other hand lives in town, is rich and seems to have it all. Or does she?

Estranged for years, the sisters are forced to reconnect with each other at their mother’s funeral.

Barely able to stay in the same room as each other, will they tear each other apart or will they be each other’s strength. After all "No one knows your weak points like a sister.” And no one knows your strengths like they do either.

With each page of the novel we see each sister in her own resolute way tackle problems that are relevant even in today’s day and age. Death of a parent, a spouse, a child; Poverty, Infertility, being a single parent and also sexual harassment.  We start to feel the depths of their despair as they battle along silently and bravely. And we shout out at pride at their strength and gumption.

In Coming Apart, Heenan has created a world and characters that might be set during the great depression but is reflective of all modern life as well. A mirror so to say. Times may have changed but the horrors and highs of life are still the same.

This book will have you reaching out for the tissue box at various stages while also laughing and celebrating with the sisters.

“Being sisters is something you don’t get over, I guess.”

And thank god for that!!!

 

So glad I got this RC. It is a book that I couldn’t put down and one that I will want to re-read again. Can’t wait for the sequel. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.

Happy Reading🙂