The Ugly Sister by Jane Fallon.

The Ugly Sister by Jane Fallon.

Penguin, 2011.

Review by Laura Parish.

When it comes to family, you can’t pick them. Abi should know; she’s been in the shadow of her older sister, Cleo for as long as she can remember. It’s made worse when Cleo is spotted by a modelling agent and is whisked away for a life of fame and glamour. Cleo has been all but lost to Abi for the past twenty years. When, out of the blue Cleo invites Abi to come and stay with her and her family over the summer, Abi sees it as an opportunity to build bridges and spend some time with her sister, getting to know her again. What Abi didn’t bargain for was for Cleo to be preoccupied with other things and to be left with an unhappy brother in law and two spoilt children.

I read this a while ago (it had spent a while sitting on my TBR pile. I hold my head in shame.) This book was my first introduction to Jane Fallon’s books and has made me into a fan. I had a like for Abi. I didn’t hate Cleo but I didn’t fully care for her character. She was a little selfish and absent (although I think that’s the idea.) Despite me not fully trusting her character, I would have liked to have seen some of the story from Cleo’s side. It may have softened the annoyance I developed over her behaviour.

I have read some other reviews of this book and I think you either love it or hate it. For me, the plot moved well and I was intrigued as to how it was going to end and where the characters were going to end up. I felt sorry for Abi who has fought all her life to come out of Cleo’s shadow and I think that by the end, she manages to do that (hoping I’ve not given too much away.) Having been to the launch of this book at The Ivy, it was also nice to read that scene in the book and to be able to imagine the surroundings.

I did find myself not being able to put the book down (especially toward the end) and this book led me on to read Getting Rid of Matthew which was fantastic.

Overall, I recommend this book and it was a nice introduction to Jane Fallon’s writing. I’m looking forward to the next book.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.