Fern and Rose Castle are twins, but they are very different. Fern is quiet, working at the library and keeping mostly to herself. As someone who struggles with sensory issues, she tries to control as much of her life as she can, to help mitigate painful meltdowns. Rose is far more outgoing, enjoying time with friends and coworkers. She’s married to Owen, and she wants to have a baby.
Sadly, though, Rose is not able to have a baby.
Fern found this out when she discovered some prenatal vitamins in Rose’s bag. She asked Rose if she was pregnant, and Rose explained that she had been taking the vitamins in the hopes of having a baby, but she had since found out that she wasn’t able to get pregnant. Fern didn’t think she could be trusted to raise a child, but as far as she knew she could have a baby. She decided to have a baby and give it to Rose and Owen, so that they could have the baby of their dreams.
After all, Rose had done so much for Fern her whole life. Rose had always been watching out for her. They both had bracelets, given to them from their mother when they were young, and when Fern wasn’t sure what to do, Rose could tap her bracelet to Fern’s, to let her know to stay quiet. Rose took care of Fern when they were too young for school and their mother would leave them at the library for hours. And when the incident happened on the camping trip when they were almost teenagers, when their friend Billy drowned, it was Rose who told Fern what to do and what to say to stay out of trouble.
That’s how Fern knows that she can’t take care of an infant, but that Rose would be a really good mother. Just like she’s a good sister.
But is that the truth?
Fern does find herself a boyfriend, and she does get pregnant, but as the months go by, she starts to question the things that Rose is telling her. Actually, Fern starts to question everything she’s ever known. All she wants is for her baby to have a god life, to be safe, to be loved. But who is really the best sister for the job?
Sally Hepworth’s The Good Sister is a compelling, twisty story of secrets and lies, of finding the truth and making a way for yourself in a challenging world. The family relationships in this chilling book make you question everything you thought you knew and take a closer look at everything you’ve ever been told. Written in alternating perspectives, you get to see life through Fern’s eyes in real time and see the past though the pages of Rose’s diary. It’s enlightening, to say the least.
I really loved The Good Sister, particularly the character of Fern. She clearly feels small and like she’s a burden to those around her because of her sensory issues and social quirks (the word “autism” isn’t used specifically, but there are clearly non-neurotypical characteristics to Fern that are both annoying and endearing), but watching her open up to those around her and finding out that they are willing to adapt to make her life easier is truly heart-warming. This book is mostly her story, and her story is fascinating. Anyone wanting to better understand the thoughts of someone who is not neurotypical will find Fern enlightening, and anyone who loves a good family thriller will be so happy with this new novel from Sally Hepworth.
Egalleys for The Good Sister were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.
