women’s relationships

I had seen that Rebecca Rasmussen was speaking at the nearby Concord Bookshop in June, but got busy and totally forgot to go. I hadn’t read her book, but had heard through other bloggers that it was good. A few weeks ago I got it from the library and I have been kicking myself ever since that I missed Rebecca’s talk in Concord. I LOVED this book!!

“The Bird Sisters” tells the story of Milly and Twiss – two teen-age sisters growing up in the 40’s in Wisconsin. Milly is beautiful and kind and very good. She’s one of those people who, no matter how hard they try, can’t be mean or cruel as it’s just not in them. Twiss is spunky and a tomboy. She is intelligent and strong and devoted to her sister. Their parents are struggling with a dysfunctional marriage – their father is a self-centered, narcissistic, has-been golf pro, and their mother is a once wealthy, lonely woman, who clings to the fact that she once visited France in order to make herself feel special (or at least more special than the folks in their town). The story centers on one summer when their teen-age cousin, Bett, comes to visit. Things are irrevocably changed, and nothing will ever be the same again.

I just loved this book. It is a story of relationships and love and centers on the strength of women and the love bonds that bind family. It was the kind of book I would put down because I didn’t want it to end. This is Ms. Rasmussen’s first book and I sincerely look forward to her next one! She has a wonderful style with unique and unforgettable character voices. Her story is based, in part, on her own family.

See the book trailer from You Tube:

Here’s Rebecca herself discusses her creation of the book: (HOW could I have missed her speaking in Concord??)

Having heard about this novel through the blogosphere, I picked it up at the library one day and then it sat on my coffee table. I finally got around to opening it the other day and I was so mesmerized that I couldn’t stop reading. It was one of those moments when your inner voice is saying: “….must….put….book….down” and your body just won’t comply. I read the whole book straight through.

“The Sandalwood Tree” tells two stories a century apart. Evie and Martin, along with their young son, have come to India in 1947 as the British reign is ending. Martin is deeply scarred by his WWII experiences and it has caused a tear in their marriage that Evie fears is irreparable. While staying in their rented house, Evie finds a packet of letters between two British women who lived in India in 1857. The letters tell of their friendship and of their loves. Evie becomes somewhat obsessed with finding out what happened to the women, Felicity and Adela, as she also puts her energies into saving her marriage.

This was a compelling and well-written read with beautiful descriptions of that period in India’s history. As I said before, I couldn’t put it down!