Miriam Toews (Get this book) Sisters should always want what is best for each other, but what if what one sister really wants is to end her life? This is the dilemma Yoli faces when her ethereal sister, Elf, attempts suicide. The beautiful Elf is a world-renowned pianist who's in a loving relationship and about to start an international tour, but having it all doesn't matter to her when she is drowning in despair. Yoli, as she rightfully points out, is the one struggling; she's twice divorced, with children by two different fathers, and after having achieved some success as a YA series author (though she has nothing like Elf's gifts), her career has stalled. But though she and Elf are close--the bond they forged while growing up in a conservative Mennonite town in Canada is central to the narrative--depression is hard to understand from the outside. Despite the topic, this is not a dark novel. In fact, its gloom comes in the form of dark humor, and Toews ("Irma Voth") does a wonderful job with her characters, none of whom are perfect, which makes them all the more real. It requires a talented author to take a serious subject and write such an engaging, enjoyable work.--Library Journal
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