Shred Sisters

The siblings in Lerner’s (The Bridge Ladies: A Memoir) first novel are not exact opposites, but they come close. Their polarity is a consequence mainly of elder sister Ollie’s mental illness. Her nearly lifelong pattern of disruptive and destructive behavior leads to family disputes, encounters with the police, being unhoused, substance-use disorder, and hospitalization. Meanwhile, younger sister Amy narrates her own ordinary, if not monotonous, life story, complete with intertwining encounters with Ollie. Amy’s failed attempt to become a scientific researcher and her subsequent success in publishing, along with several unsuccessful relationships, pale in comparison to her sister’s experiences. Amy does possess a strong sense of self-preservation, which is necessary as a counter to their parents’ response to Ollie’s condition. Some readers may want a deeper reflection on the sisters’ relationship, but there’s plenty here about family dynamics.