Thirty years ago, Esther Freud wrote Hideous Kinky, a wonderful novel about a bohemian young mother and her two daughters, an unnamed five-year-old narrator and her older sister Bea, who travel to Morrocco and live an itinerate but adventure-filled life. I loved that book and recently revisited it when an online journal asked me to write about a favorite, lesser-known 20th century classic.

So, what a delight to meet up once again with these old friends in My Sister and Other Lovers, reentering the lives of the now-named-narrator Lucy and sister Bea, and following them from the turmoil of their teens to full-throated adulthood. The novel reads as a series of linked short stories, and each chapter provides a brief look into an important moment of life before the curtain falls and a new chapter begins. As readers, we begin to focus on the swirling variations and patterns that come to define the sisters’ relationships with one another and with family, friends, and lovers, and we see how darker betrayals of the past dog both women into their adulthoods.

Like her painter father, author Freud is meticulous at catching every line, shadow and nuance in her (presumably somewhat) autobiographical world-building. Much as Lucy works with fabric and thread, the author adeptly weaves together disparate sensory details: the thoughtless, impulsive acts; the freedom of utter abandon; the ache of loss, the half-remembered, tossed-off phrases that become important only in retrospect; the sudden shocking revelations; the nauseating panic of true disaster; the many close calls that turn out just fine; the dull unspooling of a dying relationship; the communication misses and the electric spark of new connections. All these moments add up to complex and conscious lives and Freud delivers the goods in a spectacular way. I highly recommend this novel.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

A very well-written and detailed story of sisterhood and family relationships. The complexity of the characters and their choices was entertaining to read about. I like how Freud crafted this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Esther Freud’s masterpiece “I Couldn’t Love You More” got me thru my first Covid quarantine. So, I have high standards for her work. “My Sister and Other Lovers” did not disappoint. At first, I got an always welcomed Mitford vibe with the semi-Aristocratic childhood of the sisters (Lucy and Bea) and their. friends. As the two sisters come of age, Freud explores complex, deep familial relationships with humor and understanding. It is tragic and hilarious.

No Spoilers! But the ending with Mum surprised me yet made sense and was true to the characters. I am going to make a Spotify playlist of music woven into the novel like a soundtrack - Dylan, Fats Waller, Piaf - and including the song Bea turned up the volume to hear better one day with Lucy: “Al Green vowing that we’d stay together whether good or bad or happy or sad.” Well, maybe that is a bit of a spoiler.

Another well written involving novel by Esther Freud so raw so real A story of sisters of mothers and daughters. Great characters that really come alive will be recommending.# netgalley #ecco

I had never read one of Esther Freud's books but really enjoyed this. Her writing style is very unique. What I loved most about this is the way she wrote the relationships between daughters and mothers, and sisters. I related personally to a lot of aspects of this book and felt like she wrote it in a way that many people could understand in some way from their own relationships. Its hectic, but real and raw.

I really enjoyed reading this, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It worked with the story and had realistic characters. It was everything that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening with the characters. Esther Freud has a strong writing style and am excited to read more.

This is familiar territory, if you’ve read Freud before and/or have passing acquaintance with her family. Also, there’s a technical similarity, the ‘and then’ sequence of narration, with ends left dangling and no inner enquiry. Nevertheless, if you like this author and her style, then you’ll enjoy this one too. More about a rackety central female character. A charm and a bohemian slant. I found it pleasant, despite the breathlessness and slightly maddening flow. The central relationships with witty, damaged Bea and the wayward mother are especially nicely touched in.
An author who maintains continuity.

I am a huge fan of Esther Freud's work and loved HIDEOUS KINKY. And the way this novel continues the work of that book is so great. This is a riveting read with many surprises and wonderful character development. So much to think about in terms of sister relationship as well as mother daughter.