Review of 3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking)
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hhuntley
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Review of 3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking)
[Following is a volunteer review of "3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking)" by Elizabeth Moore Kraus.]
3 Sisters, 3 Weeks, 3 Countries
This book was overall just okay which is why I rated it ⅗.
The book tells the story of three adult sisters traveling around the United Kingdom. The sisters have a very close relationship to begin with but have differing levels of travel experience and all three sisters are somewhat nervous about the sibling dynamics of this trip. The trip becomes a lens through which they can reflect on the history of their relationship as sisters: how they have supported each other, things they have fought over, days they have cried together and just how their relationship has evolved throughout different stages of their lives.
Although I am the middle child of only three children and I only have one sister, I found my own life experience to have many similarities to this story. The close relationships between the sisters continuing long into adulthood is something I felt was a widely relatable story. These sisters, much like my sister and I, are close and communicate regularly but also are very different people and need their own space. As I’m sure many sisters would agree, our relationship oscillates between best friends and being severely annoyed by one another. This book does an excellent job of illustrating the ways in which that relationship evolves throughout different phases of life but maintains a special sisterly bond throughout.
On the other hand, there was nothing about the story that really captured my attention. I would read a few chapters and have a heartwarming feeling but then set the book down and it immediately escaped my mind. I had a hard time finishing the book because there was never a point in the story when I felt great anticipation for events to unfold. Partly, maybe because of how relatable I found the story, I felt I could easily predict the general plot points to come.
In addition to the evolving relationship of sisters, the story highlights many of the delights and often disasters of travel. Everyone has a story of delayed flights, cramped housing quarters, and lost vacation wanderings. That story is mildly interesting in conversation; maybe a single cup of coffee’s worth of content. But for the major architecture of a 200 page book, it’s just not that funny and not that interesting to someone who didn’t experience it.
In particular, there were several parts of the story with a painful amount of detail. I did not need to know the number of stairs in each of their vacation rentals. This quote summarizes my thoughts on large sections of this book, “It’s hardly worth mentioning. I mention it anyway.”
Ultimately while I relate strongly to these characters and found them likable, I felt like this book was more for the authors enjoyment than mine as a reader. I’m sure it was a great way for her to mentally digest her trip and reflect on her changing relationship with her sisters. But I didn’t feel like I got anything out of the book; neither entertainment/interest nor knowledge/guidance/wisdom. And I certainly don’t feel that there is enough to discuss in a book club, as suggested by the discussion questions following the story.
******
3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
3 Sisters, 3 Weeks, 3 Countries
This book was overall just okay which is why I rated it ⅗.
The book tells the story of three adult sisters traveling around the United Kingdom. The sisters have a very close relationship to begin with but have differing levels of travel experience and all three sisters are somewhat nervous about the sibling dynamics of this trip. The trip becomes a lens through which they can reflect on the history of their relationship as sisters: how they have supported each other, things they have fought over, days they have cried together and just how their relationship has evolved throughout different stages of their lives.
Although I am the middle child of only three children and I only have one sister, I found my own life experience to have many similarities to this story. The close relationships between the sisters continuing long into adulthood is something I felt was a widely relatable story. These sisters, much like my sister and I, are close and communicate regularly but also are very different people and need their own space. As I’m sure many sisters would agree, our relationship oscillates between best friends and being severely annoyed by one another. This book does an excellent job of illustrating the ways in which that relationship evolves throughout different phases of life but maintains a special sisterly bond throughout.
On the other hand, there was nothing about the story that really captured my attention. I would read a few chapters and have a heartwarming feeling but then set the book down and it immediately escaped my mind. I had a hard time finishing the book because there was never a point in the story when I felt great anticipation for events to unfold. Partly, maybe because of how relatable I found the story, I felt I could easily predict the general plot points to come.
In addition to the evolving relationship of sisters, the story highlights many of the delights and often disasters of travel. Everyone has a story of delayed flights, cramped housing quarters, and lost vacation wanderings. That story is mildly interesting in conversation; maybe a single cup of coffee’s worth of content. But for the major architecture of a 200 page book, it’s just not that funny and not that interesting to someone who didn’t experience it.
In particular, there were several parts of the story with a painful amount of detail. I did not need to know the number of stairs in each of their vacation rentals. This quote summarizes my thoughts on large sections of this book, “It’s hardly worth mentioning. I mention it anyway.”
Ultimately while I relate strongly to these characters and found them likable, I felt like this book was more for the authors enjoyment than mine as a reader. I’m sure it was a great way for her to mentally digest her trip and reflect on her changing relationship with her sisters. But I didn’t feel like I got anything out of the book; neither entertainment/interest nor knowledge/guidance/wisdom. And I certainly don’t feel that there is enough to discuss in a book club, as suggested by the discussion questions following the story.
******
3 Sisters 3 Weeks 3 Countries (Still Talking)
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: All You'll Never Be (Audible Edition) by E L Neve
