Sisters Mortland

The Sisters Mortland by Sally Beauman

This unusual novel sucks you right in from the beginning with the story told from the perspective of a young girl during the summer of 1967. She is the youngest of three sisters and we enjoy watching her progress through a carefree summer surrounded by a cast of interesting characters. One of these is an artist painting a portrait of the sisters as a means to pay his room and board. This portrait nearly becomes a character of its own. The story abruptly shifts its point of view to that of a local village boy and friend of the family he carries the story through until the last bit of the book where another of the sisters takes it up. Although initially jarring, these perspective shifts truly help to define the story. There is a secret here. Ok, there are lots of secrets here in a family that tries to do nothing but pretend that everything is alright. I mustn’t give too much away because I really want you to read this one. It’s a mesmerizing story I promise you won’t be able to put down. –Flourish