California Sister
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4.7 • 6 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A novel that will appeal to readers of Jodi Picoult, Miriam Toews and Jennifer Weiner.
A sister's love versus a cruel fate. A story of fierce love and heartbreaking grief.
Claire Waters, an Italian mystery writer living in Los Angeles, rushes to Italy after her older sister's devastating brain-hemorrhage, determined to restore her health-or help her die with dignity. Claire is a gritty decision-maker, a lone wolf who values freedom above all else. Her sister, Ondina-now on the edge of death or living a severely limited life-is wise, cautious, and sociable. They may be different, but have remained close despite the distance. Claire is faced with a dilemma impossible to solve. Would her non-verbal sister want to go on struggling, damaged as she is, or end her suffering? Forsaking her career, Claire hardly leaves her sister's side, refusing to give up the hope of healing. It takes an exhausting and lonely year for stubborn Claire to listen to her silent sister.
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2023 American Writing Awards - Finalist
2022 Firebird Book Awards Winner in two categories ("Death and Dying" and "Multicultural Fiction")
"Cathartic, poignant and sensitive, California Sister explores the fine line where selflessness and selfishness coalesce into a muddle mess. Gloria Mattioni's heartrending novel is not the first to walk such emotionally charged ground, but it might be the best!" - IndiesToday (5-star review)
"A touching novel about sisterly love. An immediate audience-grabber and practical parable about the choices we make and the priorities that matter to us."-Readers' Favorite (5-star review)
"In California Sister, Gloria Mattioni explores sibling love and navigating family, distance, and desire. A poignant story of caring and coping and of growing apart and healing together, deftly traversing California to Italy and back. A deeply touching and heartfelt narrative." David Francis, author of The Great Inland Sea, Stray Dog Winter and Wedding Bush Road
Customer Reviews
Magnificent! A touching story of love and loss.
California Sister is a vibrant story of the unique perspective of one sister's selfless journey to bring back her older sister from the depth of illness. Leaving everything behind, we see Claire's strength, dedication and the ongoing dilemma of staying true to a promise made years ago.
Gloria Mattioni uses vivid descriptions, pulling us into the worlds of Claire and Ondina with all our senses in the heart of California and Italy. The writing is brave and honest, showcasing a side of illness and life that most shy away from.
This book left me thinking about my own mortality and how far I would go for the ones I hold most dear. Heartbreaking at times, this story is a triumph of love; the portrayal of a connection so deep and yet is desperately being held together by a thread.
California Sister will leave an imprint on your heart long after the last page is turned.