d Sisterhood in All Its Messy Glory
You know that feeling when you finish a book and it’s like you’ve just said goodbye to old friends? That’s exactly how I felt after turning the last page of Coco Mellors’ “Blue Sisters.” This novel, um, it’s not just a story – it’s a freaking rollercoaster ride through the lives of three sisters trying to piece themselves back together after losing the fourth piece of their puzzle.
Mellors has this incredible knack for painting characters that are so real, so flawed, and so damn lovable that you can’t help but feel like you’ve known them your whole life. The Blue sisters – Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky (and the late Nicky) – they’re not just characters on a page. They’re the girls you grew up with, the ones you fought with, loved fiercely, and couldn’t imagine life without.
The Plot: A Family Unraveling and Reknitting
Okay, so here’s the deal. The three remaining Blue sisters are scattered across the globe, each dealing with their own personal demons when they get the news that their childhood apartment in New York is about to be sold. This place, it’s not just bricks and mortar – it’s the last tangible connection to their sister Nicky, who died a year ago.
So, they all come crashing back to the Big Apple, and let me tell you, it’s like watching a perfectly choreographed train wreck. You’ve got:
Avery: The Responsible One
She’s the eldest, a recovering heroin addict turned corporate lawyer living in London with her wife. Avery’s got this whole ‘I’ve got my shit together’ vibe going on, but underneath? Total mess.
Bonnie: The Fighter
Middle child syndrome, anyone? Bonnie’s a former boxing champ working as a bouncer in LA after a crushing defeat. She’s tough as nails on the outside, but inside? Soft as a marshmallow.
Lucky: The Wild Child
The baby of the family, Lucky’s a model in Paris who’s been running from her problems (and towards the nearest open bar) for as long as she can remember.
As they sift through Nicky’s belongings and memories, all their unresolved issues come bubbling to the surface. It’s messy, it’s painful, and it’s absolutely riveting.
Mellors’ Magic: Writing That Punches You in the Gut
Let’s talk about Coco Mellors’ writing for a sec. Holy crap, this woman can write. She’s got this way of describing things that makes you feel like you’re right there in the room with the sisters. Like when she describes Lucky’s hangover:
“Lucky woke up in Riley’s bed and immediately wished she was dead. Sunlight pierced the dark curtains with pinpricks of light; even the slightest brightness felt like an assault on her eyes.”
I mean, who hasn’t been there, right? Mellors nails that feeling of wanting to crawl into a hole and die after a night of too much booze.
And the dialogue! It’s snappy, it’s real, and it’s often hilarious. The banter between the sisters feels so authentic—you can practically hear the years of inside jokes and shared history in every exchange.
Themes That Hit Home
“Blue Sisters” isn’t just a story about three women trying to save their childhood home. It’s about so much more:
- Grief and loss: The way the sisters grapple with Nicky’s death is heartbreaking and all too relatable.
- Addiction and recovery: Avery’s journey as a recovering addict is nuanced and honest.
- Identity and reinvention: Each sister is trying to figure out who she is without Nicky to define herself against.
- Family dynamics: The love-hate relationship between siblings is captured perfectly.
Character Deep Dive: The Heart of the Story
Okay, let’s break down these sisters a bit more, ’cause they’re the real stars of the show.
Avery: The Fixer with a Crumbling Foundation
Avery, oh Avery. She’s the one who’s always tried to hold everything together, you know? The responsible one. But underneath that polished exterior, she’s just as lost as her sisters. There’s this moment when she’s talking to her mother:
“I miss her and I miss her and I miss her,” she began. “And I wait for the feeling to end because every other feeling has ended, no matter how intense, no matter how hard—but this won’t. There’s just no end to the missing.”
That hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s such a raw, honest description of grief. Avery’s struggle with her identity as the ‘good’ sister, her fear of failing, it’s all so relatable. And her relationship with her wife, Chiti? It’s complicated and messy and real.
Bonnie: The Quiet Strength
Bonnie, man. She’s the one who found Nicky, and that trauma, it’s etched into every part of her. She’s tough as hell, but there’s this vulnerability to her that just breaks your heart. Her relationship with her trainer, Pavel, is so beautifully done. It’s not just a romance – it’s about finding someone who sees you, really sees you.
Lucky: The Lost Soul
And then there’s Lucky. She’s the one I wanted to shake and hug in equal measure. She’s so lost, so desperate to numb her pain. But watching her try to get sober, to face her demons head-on? It’s powerful stuff. There’s this scene where she’s at an AA meeting. It’s funny, but it’s also a perfect encapsulation of that feeling of being an outsider, of not quite belonging.
New York City: The Fifth Sister
I gotta say, New York City is practically a character in its own right in this book. Mellors captures the energy, the grit, and the magic of the city in a way that makes you feel like you’re walking those streets yourself. From the dingy bars to the glittering high-rises, it’s all there in vivid detail.
The Verdict: A Must-Read for Anyone with a Sibling (or a Heart)
Look, “Blue Sisters” isn’t a perfect book. Sometimes the pacing feels a bit off, and there are moments where you want to yell at the characters for making such stupid decisions. But you know what? That’s life. It’s messy and imperfect and sometimes you do dumb shit.
What Mellors has created here is a story that feels true. It’s about the families we’re born into and the ones we choose. It’s about the ways we hurt each other and the ways we heal. And it’s about learning to live with loss and finding the strength to keep going.
If you loved Mellors’ debut “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” (which, by the way, you should totally check out if you haven’t), you’re going to adore “Blue Sisters.” It’s got the same sharp wit and emotional depth, but with an added layer of complexity that comes from exploring family dynamics.
And if you’re a fan of authors like Celeste Ng or Ann Patchett, who write these beautiful, intricate family dramas, then “Blue Sisters” should definitely be next on your TBR list.
Final Thoughts: A Story That Stays With You
I finished “Blue Sisters” a week ago, and I’m still thinking about it. About Avery’s struggle to maintain her sobriety, about Bonnie’s quiet strength, about Lucky’s journey to find herself. About the ways we carry our siblings with us, even when they’re gone.
It’s a book that makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you want to call your sister (or brother, or best friend) and tell them you love them. Because at its core, that’s what “Blue Sisters” is about—the messy, complicated, beautiful love between siblings.
So yeah, go read it. Like, now. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
“Blue Sisters” is a poignant, funny, and deeply moving exploration of sisterhood, grief, and the ways we reinvent ourselves in the face of loss. Coco Mellors has crafted a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or struggled to find their place in the world. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s an important one. And in the end, isn’t that what great literature is all about?