Irises Audiobook

" This is a story about sisters. It wasn't a story I would say I liked, but I'm not sure if it was the narration or the story. "

" When their minister father dies unexpectedly, sisters Kate and Mary must figure out a way to take care of their mother who is in a persistent vegetative state as well as themselves. Kate has a scholarship to Stanford, and Mary is a talented painter, but their lives have been restricted by their controlling father and their concern for their mother. As with Stork's previous two titles, this one explores questions about family, faith, and joy, but the exploration seems a bit more heavy-handed than in the previous books. Some of the language and the sisters' lack of worldliness give the book a dated quality, and difficult as their plight might seem, it's clear what decisions they will ultimately make. I particularly like how Stork's books do not shy away from hard questions or offer easy answers, but this title simply didn't captivate me, possibly because other books have addressed some of the same issues. "

" A good coming of age story among sisters. I got this at a library convention or I probably would not have read it, but I enjoyed the story. "

" Lots of potential in this story. I was intrigued by the sister relationship, especially the way the sisters responded after their father's death. I expected the author to delve further into the girls' newfound freedom after they no longer had to abide by the strict rules of their minister father. However, Stork took the story in another direction - too many directions, I feel. There were two blossoming romances and one failed one, one declaration of cancer, gang conflicts, end-of-life debates, college acceptances, dissolving friendships, and spiritual re-awakenings. It was too much for one book. I would have been satisfied with an exploration of Kate and Mary's parentless existence after their father's death. Coping with their mother's persistant vegetative state was an element that raised the stakes of the story, but I do not feel that it was adequately explored, nor was it satisfyingly resolved. Sometimes simple is best. Keep the story simple and dynamic, without adding in all of the other emotional factors. (I listened to this as an audiobook.) "

" Two teenage girls face life without their overbearing, ultra-religious father. They must face decisions for themselves, their futures, and the future of their mother who has been kept alive artificially in a vegetative state for years. "

" It's been a few months since I finished this book, and I think I'll always like Francisco Stork's writing, but not a lot lingered with me and this book. Certainly not like MARCELO or even LAST SUMMER OF THE DEATH WARRIORS. I liked the relationship of the two sisters, and so much of the writing was beautiful. Some of the questions raised about what death means, when it should happen, how much control does a person have, etc, were thought-provoking, but didn't pack a punch. "

" Is this REALLY the same author that wrote Marcelo in the Real World? "

" I listened to the audiobook. Good interpersonal relationships between sisters, but I would have liked to see even more. "

" Love this author. An interesting read with a lot of discussion possibilities: religion, death with dignity, family, love. "

" Another great story. Very deep. "

" Not bad at all. Good story about 2 sisters, pretty much on their own, growing up in El Paso. Set in the present day. I really like this author. He also wrote Way of the Jaguar. "

" I listened to this book. Found it interesting, but never cared a whole lot for either sister. Th ending was a little too neat. "

" Wow. What a lovely book. Review to come on my blog - the Bibliophile Support Group! "