Shred Sisters

A Novel

By: Betsy Lerner

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman

From Betsy Lerner, celebrated author of The Bridge Ladies, comes a wry and riveting debut novel about family, mental illness, and a hard-won path between two sisters.

It is said that when one person in a family is unstable, the whole family is destabilized. Meet the Shreds. Olivia is the sister in the spotlight until her stunning confidence becomes erratic and unpredictable, a hurricane leaving people wrecked in her wake. Younger sister Amy, cautious and studious to the core, believes in facts, proof, and the empirical world. None of that explains what’s happening to Ollie, whose physical beauty and charisma mask the mental illness that will shatter Amy’s carefully constructed life.

As Amy comes of age and seeks to find her place—first in academics, then New York publishing, and through a series of troubled relationships—every step brings collisions with Ollie, who slips in and out of the Shred family without warning. Yet for all that threatens their sibling bond, Amy and Ollie cannot escape or deny the inextricable sister knot that binds them.

Spanning two decades, Shred Sisters is an intimate and bittersweet story exploring the fierce complexities of sisterhood, mental health, loss, and love. If anything is true it’s what Amy learns on her to self-acceptance: No one will love you more or hurt you more than a sister.

The story…is it true?

I valued the insights into bipolar disorder and the mental health system. I found the narrator’s tone mostly flat and irritating. I think I would’ve liked the book much better in print.

It started out so well and then...

25% of the book is solid. The first part. Then it becomes a far fetched, spoiled detail of who bonketh who. Olivia's mental illness, if not her power to infilterate the rich and famous, is legit. The rest is disappointing. Still, keeps you engaged half the time. So 3.5 out of 5.

got better and better

the first few chapters I thought it lacked depth, seemed like a commonplace theme/ story. but I found myself not only wanting to know what would happen but caring about the characters, empathizing with them, especially Amy but also the others. it's a hopeful story in spite of sad events. narration good!! thumbs up!

Very good

It was poignant. It was beautiful. It was sad and it left me feeling very wanting. I can relate to a lot of her experiences with her sibling and her parents, but I felt like she was not a character I identify with.

Shred Sisters

Very much enjoyed the storyline.
Was intrigued by the lives and devotion of the family.