WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS by Barbara Delinsky
Barbara Delinsky tackles weighty subjects in her novels in much the same way as fellow author Jodi Picoult. Ms. Picoult however tells her tales in a stark and more direct manner. Ms. Delinsky opts for a more emotional and heartfelt approach. Both are effective, and both authors know their reading audience.
In Ms. Delinsky’s latest novel, WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS, she addresses the subject of comatose people and when it is appropriate to pull the plug. This is heavy subject matter but she handles it in a gentle way.
Molly and Robin Snow are sisters. Molly is the younger of the two and has lived in her sister’s shadow for years. Robin is a runner, so good that she is in training for the Olympics. Everything revolves around Robin’s life. She is the star of the family and her parents let it be known that she is. Molly and her brother Chris accept their fate, but in Molly’s case not without resentment.
When Robin has a deadly health problem, Molly’s feelings for her sister are intensified. This time they are also leavened with guilt. As she begins a vigil at Robin’s bedside all of her feelings of inadequacy and resentment are brought forth and studied. It is a time for learning the truth about Robin and the truth about herself.
Barbara Delinsky is masterful at giving her plots a little boost from time to time. She does this by letting the story take a sharp turn that the reader didn’t expect, or by bringing out a personality trait that the character didn’t seem to possess. She does this while at the same time never falsifying a character or making the plot less than believable.
This is one of Delinsky’s best books. It is full of twists and turns, and peopled by characters that jump from the pages and into the reader’s heart. As a reader you can not be untouched by this story. It is that compelling.
So read Barbara Delinsky’s latest story and read it slowly and deliberately. There are many secrets to be found within its pages, and many delightful moments of joy to be found there also. WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS is a book about illness and pain but it is also a story about hope and recovery.
Delinsky’s stories get better and better. As good as this one is, what will be the next one be like?
WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS is published by Doubleday. It contains 336 pages and sells or $25.95.