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Sister of My Heart

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999

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Book Brief

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Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Sister of My Heart

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

322

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kolkata, India • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Sister of My Heart follows Indian cousins Anju and Sudha, who grow up like sisters under the care of three widowed mothers. Their bond endures various trials, including family secrets, societal pressures, arranged marriages, and personal tragedies. Despite these challenges, their connection remains strong, showcasing the redemptive power of love and storytelling. The book contains references to arranged marriage, abortion, and pregnancy loss.

Emotional

Bittersweet

Romantic

Contemplative

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

22,206 ratings

75%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s Sister of My Heart captivates with its rich storytelling and exploration of complex familial bonds. Readers applaud the vivid characterization and emotional depth. However, some critique the pacing and occasional predictability. Overall, it's a compelling read that resonates deeply on themes of love, duty, and destiny.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sister of My Heart?

Readers who enjoy richly woven narratives about family bonds, cultural heritage, and female relationships will be captivated by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's Sister of My Heart. Fans of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake will find a similar resonance in its exploration of Indian-American experiences and deep emotional connections.

4.2

22,206 ratings

75%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Character List

Sudha

The more traditional and passive sister, she is deeply influenced by storytelling and myth and undergoes a significant personal transformation as she fights to change her future.

Headstrong and willful, she contrasts with Sudha by embracing Western culture and pursuing education and independence, leading her life into unanticipated challenges.

The matriarch of the Chatterjee family who manages household dignity and estate expectations as a widow, navigating between tradition and change.

A widow who acts as a maternal figure for Anju and Sudha, known for preserving family history and stories, yet eventually rejects some traditions in support of Sudha.

Sudha's mother, who deals with life's challenges after her husband's actions bring difficulty to the family, prompting Sudha's empathy despite her own struggles.

A character of wealth and freedom who is initially idealized by Sudha, but his proposal to separate her from her child strains their relationship.

Sudha's husband, who struggles with asserting himself within his patriarchal environment, ultimately requiring Sudha to become self-reliant.

Anju's husband with progressive ideals that prove superficial, offering support inconsistently due to personal insecurities and cultural challenges.

Initially seeking revenge, he finds acceptance within the Chatterjee family and later serves them humbly, subverting traditional family hierarchies.

Book Details
Pages

322

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kolkata, India • 1990s

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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