My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“Sisters, as you know, also have a unique relationship. This is the person who has known you your entire life, who should love you and stand by you no matter what, and yet it's your sister who knows exactly where to drive the knife to hurt you the most.”
----Lisa See
Kelly Romo, an American author, pens her debut novel, Whistling Women, that narrates the story of two women, one thirty-something living in the Nudist colony with a past from which she is trying hard to run away from and another a fifteen years old young lady, who is curious about everything in life and is trying to figure out her divorced-alcoholic mother's past. The paths of these two women cross during the California Pacific International Exposition in the year of 1935. And this is their story.
Synopsis:
Life went terribly wrong for Addie Bates in San Diego, and she’s been running from dark memories ever since. For fifteen years, the Sleepy Valley Nudist Colony has provided a safe haven for Addie to hide from the crime she committed. But when the residents pack up to go on exhibit at the 1935 world’s fair in San Diego, Addie returns and must face the thrilling yet terrifying prospect of reuniting with her estranged sister, Wavey.
Addie isn’t the only one interested in a reunion. When her niece, Rumor, discovers she has an aunt, Rumor is determined to bring her family together. But it’s not so easy when the women are forced to confront family secrets, past and present.
Set against the backdrop of the 1935 world’s fair, Whistling Women explores the complex relationships between sisters, the sacrifices required to protect family, and the devastating consequences of a single impulsive act.
Addie is a nudist and lives in the Nudist Colony and have been living their all her adulthood. Mostly because she is trying to keep the skeletons from her terrible past in her closet, but when the residents of the colony prepare themselves to host an exhibition of the nudist show in the Exposition in San Diego, Addie is scared to face her horrible past one more time, especially more scared to face her elder sister, Wavey, who had stopped all communication and had put an end to their sisterly bond long time ago because of the crime that Addie did. Rumor, Wavey's daughter and Addie's niece is excited when she figured out that her mother has a sister and is on the crossroads on whether to make a contact with her as she works as a nudist in the fair which she is completely against it. Will these two ladies form a bond? Will Wavey every forgive Addie? And what was the crime that tore up Addie and Wavey's relationship? Read this book to unravel all these questions!
Firstly, the setting of the book is really unique set against the backdrop of 20th century World's Fair in San Diego which has been vividly painted into the story line. Yes it feels like riding on a time-machine and being time-traveled to the year 1935 when everything was so colorful and so bright. From the landscape to the fashion to the streets to the beaches to the dramatic insights into the World's Fair, the author has certainly penned them with striking details that felt like the scenes are unrolling right in front of my eyes.
The writing style of the author is eloquent and charming with a free-flowing narrative. The pacing of the book is moderate as there are lots of layers in the main story line and it took me quite a deal of time to adjust into the story. There is an air of suspense in the mood that the author set up with Addie's mysterious past and it certainly did the trick as it kept me hooked into the story to know what exactly Addie did that drove her away from her sister's life.
The female characters, unlike the time-period, are developed with strength and independence. The main characters, both, Addie and Rumor are strong females and can figure out their way on their own and especially without the help of a male character, unlike Wavey, who is completely dependent on men, which finally becomes a reason for destruction in her life. Addie is a nudist and she is not ashamed of it, and I really loved her demeanor when she felt extremely comfortable in her own skin in the public. Yes it is somewhat scary to picture that in modern times, but if you think like the author is trying to depict, then it feels really brave enough to show skin out in the public. Addie has kept her past hidden in her heart and with that has locked up all her emotions, hence she never dated anyone.
Rumor is that determining force which finally makes both Addie and Wavey to face their past and embrace their future together. Unlike other fifteen year old girls, Rumor is fierce, curious, investigative and loves fishing. She is the real charm of this sad yet delightful story. The rest of the supporting characters are also quite well-developed.
In a nutshell, this is an engrossing story that will not only transport the readers back in a different era but will also deeply mode them with this stirring story about two sisters.
Verdict: For fans of women's fiction and historical fiction, this is a perfect book which is poignant yet captivating.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Kelly Romo, for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.
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Author Info:
Kelly Romo currently lives in Oregon with her three children where she teaches writing, literature, social studies, and digital publication. She loves the outdoors; hiking, kayaking, and camping. Kelly grew up in California running around with all her thrill-seeking cousins and siblings; jumping off cliffs into the Colorado River, exploring caves on the beaches of Mexico, riding dirt bikes, water skiing, and snow skiing. Kelly has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing (fiction) and a Master of Arts in Teaching.
Whistling Women is her debut novel and came out of her love for San Diego and Balboa Park. Even though the characters are all works of fiction, the world’s fair, nudist colony, and famous figures are based on the historical facts of the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
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