100 Pages A Day...Stephanie's Book Reviews

Dr. Aubrey Waycross has been called to the small frontier town of Lawrenceville, Georgia in 1822. He readily goes into the unknown, since the mayor has hinted at hydrophobia, or rabies being present in the town.  However, when Aubrey arrives he finds almost no one in need of medical attention.  All of the Lawrenceville residents would much rather take their problems to the Winter Sisters, Rebecca, Sarah and Effie.   Aubrey attempts to out the sisters as quacks, but he finds that Rebecca's herbal cures solve issues far better than his bloodletting, Sarah's tests and games that she gives patients make them forget about their problems and Effie seems to cure people by simply being in their presence.  Not even her sisters seem to know how Effie works her medicine.  Aubrey decides to band with the Sisters and the town will need all four healers when a residents does contract rabies.

 

The Winter Sister's is a fascinating historical fiction novel with elements of mystery and magical realism.  Life in a frontier town was brought to life through Aubrey's eyes as he experienced the remoteness, danger and community of Lawrenceville.  The Winter Sister's themselves were the most intriguing part of the story.  I really do wish the story was told through their point of view, especially since the writing begins with the Sisters being bound together in a ceremony by their mother.  Aubrey's character took a lot of time to warm up to as he continuously placed himself above the others in town and tried to prove his methods were the best.  I also just couldn't find any personality in him.  Although he eventually ended up saying and doing the right things, they always seemed robotic.  All three sisters, however were written very well with distinct personalities and habits.  The mystery of Effie still remains did she truly have a power to heal, or did everyone just want to believe in a little magic?

 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.