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They Were Sisters

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About this listen

When three sisters marry very different men, the choices they make determine whether they will flourish, be tamed or be repressed. Set in 1930’s middle-class England, the classic domestic drama, They Were Sisters, is a compelling but harrowing novel by Dorothy Whipple.

Meet three women with contrasting partners: Lucy's husband is her beloved companion; Vera's husband bores her and she turns elsewhere; and Charlotte's husband is a horrifying bully who turns a high-spirited naive young girl into a deeply unhappy woman. This is the story of how those marriages shape the sister’s lives, the consequences of their decisions, and the sisterly love that hopes to save them from tragedy.

They Were Sisters is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics that includes neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. This audiobook of a novel first published in 1943 breathes new life into Whipple's work; with a fascinating introduction by novelist Celia Brayfield.

 Classics Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Marriage

Critic reviews

It is the most extraordinary and brilliantly subtle but moving look at three sisters, and the interplay between them as they grow into adulthood . . . such a wonderful character study (Elizabeth Day)
Exerts a menacing tone from start to finish. I eavesdropped on the lives of Lucy, Charlotte and Vera, compelled to go on but with a sense of simmering dread (journalist Charlie Lee-Potter)
The sparkling achievements of this accomplished novelist, not the least of which is the ability - rarer today than it should be - is simply to entertain (novelist Sally Vickers)
All stars
Most relevant
Love this genre and and so pleased to have stumbled across this author. Very Elizabeth Jane Howard. Concentrating on women’s lives in the 40s. Cannot wait to read more from this author. This was consumed within a couple of days and adored the characters and the storyline.

What a find

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This story was gripping from beginning to end. The central part of the story is very tense and makes you angry. However, the book has an undercurrent of hope, goodness, and traditional Christian values which triumph in the end. I like Sara Poyzer’s accent very much but I don’t think that her accent is suitable for this book and for these characters who are mostly upper middle class. Also, Sara sometimes pauses in the wrong place. Despite this, Sara Poyzer is a very good narrator and she truly brings the story to life. By the way, the fictional city of ‘Trenton’ is Nottingham and is clearly recognisable. I recommend this audiobook because it is compulsive listening.

Very gripping

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I loved this story, the relationships, the sinister behaviours, the language and the delivery of the narrator- all incredible, and I am now a Dorothy Whipple fan.

Absolutely adored

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I must read more by this author. The character focus here is so appealing, and the unfolding dramas, compelling. If you love Elizabeth von Arnim, you will probably enjoy this.

Just wonderful

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Entirely absorbing view into the emotional world and lives of 3 sisters just before 2nd World War representing love, vanity and coercive control.

Insightful 20th century morality tale

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