Blue Sisters

Blue Sisters is a novel by the American writer Coco Mellors; it is the second novel by Mellors, following her successful debut Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Blue Sisters was published in 2024 and focuses on the relationship between three sisters in the wake of the death of the fourth sister. Mellors explores themes of grief, family, addiction, and self-awareness. 

This guide references the 2024 4th Estate UK edition.

Content Warning: The novel and the guide reference alcohol and drug addiction, overdose, sexual assault, and child abuse.

Plot Summary

Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky Blue are four sisters who grew up in a volatile home environment in New York City. Their father’s alcohol addiction made him unpredictable and angry, and their mother largely abdicated responsibility to Avery (the eldest sister). Nonetheless, the sisters went on to be high achievers. After grappling with heroin addiction in her early twenties, Avery achieved sobriety and became a successful lawyer. She moved to London and married a woman named Chiti. Bonnie discovered her love of boxing and trained for years with a man named Pavel, for whom she secretly harbored romantic feelings. Nicky settled in New York City, teaching English and aspiring to eventually have a family of her own.