Samantha—the fashionable wife of a successful businessman and doting mother of one—struggles to negotiate the spheres of intimacy between her husband and her family of origin. Samantha loves her husband, Richard, and she loves her sister, Elizabeth. But the two of them can barely exist in the same room, which has caused the entire family years of emotional distress. Yet it’s not until Samantha’s … Samantha’s sister is diagnosed at age forty-three with lung cancer that her family and her marriage are tipped into full-blown crisis.
A story of love, loss, forgiveness, learning to live with grief, and healing, Appearances will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced tension in their familial relationships—even as it serves as a poignant reminder that no amount of privilege can protect us from family conflicts, marital difficulty, or mortality.
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Appearances is a powerful first novel that is for any woman who has struggled with the complicated roles of sister, wife, mother and daughter. Sondra Helene is a writer to watch.
Very realistic look at family relationships and marriage. Rang very true. Great characters that you grow to care about.
Thought provoking story of family love and loss.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in awhile. The story is so interesting and believable. I could not put it down. Wonderful characters, very realistic. I will probably read it again.
I liked the tension created by a woman torn between her family of origin and the family (esp the marriage) she has made. The sisters’ journey towards death was particularly well-done, I thought. I could not relate to all the wealth and luxury, but despite that, the story held up.
Insightful narrative into a marital relationship along with lots of family drama. Well written and interesting.
It’s so easy to get caught up in family drama, especially with a cancer diagnosis. It was interesting to see it played out in this book. At times Samantha was almost too overboard in her involvement with Elizabeth and I felt it was unrealistic. Yet, by the end I felt the author had done a good job dealing with the drama. It was a satisfying portrayal of a sad situation.
Well written. Family dynamics well described. And the two situations for both sister’s was heartbreaking. A really good read. Authenic.
It was actually an easy, good read.
Fascinating portrayal of characters
I loved this book. There were so many different
Aspects. There were relationship issues, love of
family, psychology. So much to think about. I couldn’t put it down.
What a powerful book. Brought me through a world of emotions. Characters are very real.
Truly enjoyed reading this book. Charactors were very real.
Although it was hard for me to understand how the main character placed her extended family before her own marriage, I found it entertaining.
This book had me laughing and crying. Very well written and almost too realistic. Reading this will help you to recognize what is important and what isn’t. Lack of communication is one of the central themes. Family loyalty is the basis of the story line. A must read!
I couldn’t put it down!
This story explores the dynamics within marital and familial relationships and expectations.
Family struggles. We all have them at one point or another. At times the relationships between Samantha, her sister Elizabeth and her husband Richard seemed over the top. Richard accused Samantha of siding with her sister and pushing him away. Drop into that situation sister Elizabeth dying of cancer. Hard to relate to the intensity of their struggles. What came thru very clearly was Elizabeth’s fight with her cancer. For me it brought back memories of my husband’s battle with pancreatic cancer a few year ago. A far too accurate description of what cancer can do. An engrossing read – putting aside that I felt like giving them all a good shake once in a while because they were being so dense and unfeeling.
Very easy reading
Enjoyed and recommended it to girlfriend