84th out of 149 books
—
575 voters
The Orphan Sister
Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the odd one out. Odette and Olivia are identical; Clementine is a singleton. Biologically speaking, she came from her own egg. Practically speaking, she never quite left it. Then Clementine’s father—a pediatric neurologist who is an expert on children’s brains,...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
July 5th 2011
by Gallery Books
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Gwendolen Gross shows a great deal of potential as a new, emerging author. The subject matter for The Orphan Sister was certainly original and refreshing, however, the overall narrative quickly became frustrating and a bit dull. Told from the perspective of Clem, the odd sister in a set of triplets, the narrative switched between the present and Clem's past. The transition between were often choppy and abrupt. I found myself no longer wanting to read about Clem's past just at the moment I was en...more
4 of 5 stars
Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She is, however, the fraternal triplet to identicals Olivia and Odette. She alternately longs for and shuns the closeness of O&O, who followed their father to Harvard and became doctors like him, in Siamese twin offices as an OB and a pediatrician. And they're both pregnant. Clem lives in her parents' guest house, is finishing grad school and thinks about becoming a veterinarian. When their father goes missing, Clem wants answers.
Narrator Clemen...more
Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She is, however, the fraternal triplet to identicals Olivia and Odette. She alternately longs for and shuns the closeness of O&O, who followed their father to Harvard and became doctors like him, in Siamese twin offices as an OB and a pediatrician. And they're both pregnant. Clem lives in her parents' guest house, is finishing grad school and thinks about becoming a veterinarian. When their father goes missing, Clem wants answers.
Narrator Clemen...more
I struggled to get thru this book and it was a total disappointment! The initial reviews led me to believe that it would be an interesting read. My Book Club members voted for this selection so this is the only reason I completed it. I assumed when the absent Father walked into the hospital room before his daughter delivered her baby I knew for sure then the book would become more interesting. Even then the author continued with the unnecessary flashbacks, and at some points I got lost trying to...more
I was very disappointed in this book. I expected to read an extra-ordinary story of betrayal “to understand her father’s betrayal, the tragedy of her first lost love, her family divisions” or illegitimacy “to share the story of being the odd sister out;” it was neither. Instead, this was an ordinary story of privilege and power—the privilege of family and the power of finding fault.
The characters were incoherent and contradictory. The actions of the characters, namely Octavia and Olivia, seemed...more
The characters were incoherent and contradictory. The actions of the characters, namely Octavia and Olivia, seemed...more
The Orphan Sister is supposed to be a book about a set of triplets, Clementine, Odette, and Olivia. Odette and Olivia are identical with Clementine being the lone sister out. Their father is a pediatric neurologist who one day goes missing. One of the triplets knows about her father's secrets but won't tell the other two, and Clementine makes it her mission to discover it.
The characters were very one dimensional. There was absolutely no depth to the characters. The twist in plots were not very t...more
The characters were very one dimensional. There was absolutely no depth to the characters. The twist in plots were not very t...more
The Orphan Sister tells the story of a set of triplet sisters. Two sisters, Odette and Olivia, are identical. The third sister, Clementine, knows she is “different”.
As they grow, the identical sisters continue seemingly identical lives, careers, styles, even childbearing. Yet there is an underlying feeling of loneliness.
The third (“orphan”) sister, Clementine, learns to embrace her status as “single sister”. She develops her own life and identity, yet maintains her connection to her sisters.
The...more
As they grow, the identical sisters continue seemingly identical lives, careers, styles, even childbearing. Yet there is an underlying feeling of loneliness.
The third (“orphan”) sister, Clementine, learns to embrace her status as “single sister”. She develops her own life and identity, yet maintains her connection to her sisters.
The...more
somehow, I just expected more from this book than it delivered. Clementine is a likeable character - the orphan sister because she is a triplet whose sisters are identical twins, leaving her always the odd man out. Her father, a pediatric neurologist and mega control freak, is married to a lovely woman, whose brilliance and talents have laid dormant while he uses her as a doormat. Quite wealthy, he insists that the family account for every cent they spend. When he suddenly disappears, Clementine...more
I just couldn't get through this - 2/3 of the way through and all I can think of is the better books I have in my queue.
Basically, the characters are terrible - one dimensional, tough to relate to, and not very interesting. The big family secret, when you find out what caused it, really isn't that crazy and you almost feel some sympathy for the father. Clem's romantic history isn't all that terrible, and I didn't feel the relationship with Eli was some kind of radical shift. And the whole triple...more
Basically, the characters are terrible - one dimensional, tough to relate to, and not very interesting. The big family secret, when you find out what caused it, really isn't that crazy and you almost feel some sympathy for the father. Clem's romantic history isn't all that terrible, and I didn't feel the relationship with Eli was some kind of radical shift. And the whole triple...more
I had a difficult time with the beginning of this book. At page 60 I put the book down and didn't think I would bother to finish it. I decided to give it another shot, and by the middle of the book when I finally got to find out a little more about what daddy's issue was, I could pay more attention to the character development and storyline. I was disappointed with both by the end of the book.
I didn't care for Clem or her sisters Odette and Olivia. As a matter of fact, I didn't care for their mo...more
I didn't care for Clem or her sisters Odette and Olivia. As a matter of fact, I didn't care for their mo...more
Gwendolen Gross' The Orphan Sister tells the story of one of a triplet set who's not like the other two, and how that affects their relationship and interactions--with each other, with their family, friends, with strangers. It is also the story of a family that falls apart when the father disappears--telling only one child where he went--and of secrets that can tear your life apart if you let it. It is a story of grief and yearning and loss when a loved one dies young. And last but not least, it...more
At First Sight: Clementine Lord has always felt a little like the odd one out in her family. She's one of a set of triplets, only that her other two sisters are identical while she's only a fraternal twin; and though she has a strong connection to her sisters Odette and Olivia, that connection is not as strong as the one they have with each other.
Odette and Olivia both followed in their father's footsteps and became doctors - and winners of the parental approval - while Clementine is just now t...more
Odette and Olivia both followed in their father's footsteps and became doctors - and winners of the parental approval - while Clementine is just now t...more
Clementine and her two sisters, Odette and Olivia could not be more different. While the three of them are triplets, only Odette and Olivia really share the bond that twins or triplets share. Maybe this is why Clementine was not named with an “O” name. Clem is her own person. While, she likes it take way, you can tell that she also misses the fact that she is not as close as Odette and Olivia. Clem and her sisters are about to being closer, when their father leaves them.
I thought this book soun...more
I thought this book soun...more
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The beginning was kind of slow and I was starting to wonder if I was going to make it through the book or not. By time I got to the middle, the story was picking up and I was getting into the characters. When the end came around, I was boohooing and I was really sad that the book was finished.
I have twin daughters and I was really fascinated by triplet aspect of this book. Mine are only 7, so I don't think they really understood the que...more
I have twin daughters and I was really fascinated by triplet aspect of this book. Mine are only 7, so I don't think they really understood the que...more
My take: The story is an interesting one because it is ultimately about the internal struggle of wanting to belong yet fighting for individuation. I wasn't as much interested in the family conflict as the family dynamics and the way Clementine goes about looking for her other half, as Odette and Olivia have one another.
The story is based upon a set of triplets, now 29 years old. Olivia and Odette are identifical twins while Clementine's egg just happened to fall down the fallopian tube the same...more
The story is based upon a set of triplets, now 29 years old. Olivia and Odette are identifical twins while Clementine's egg just happened to fall down the fallopian tube the same...more
This story opens to a family in crisis, and through this prism, we come to know triplet sisters and their parents, spouses and lovers. The triplets are two identical twins and a singleton, and in the telling of this story, we come to understand that all are “orphan sisters” in their own ways. Even the identical twins, who live parallel lives, with matching professions (ob/gyn and pediatrician), minimansions, and even pregnancies, are revealed to be solitary creatures, battling feelings of isolat...more
Clementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the odd one out. Odette and Olivia are identical; Clementine is a singleton. Biologically speaking, she came from her own egg. Practically speaking, she never quite left it. Then Clementine’s father—a pediatric neurologist who is an expert on children’s brains,
...moreClementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the o...more
...moreClementine Lord is not an orphan. She just feels like one sometimes. One of triplets, a quirk of nature left her the o...more
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Every now and then, you read a book where nothing much really happens, but the book is still completely engrossing and enjoyable to read. This is one of those books. Clementine Lord is one daughter in a set of triplets. Through a strange quirk, her two sisters are identical, while Clementine is fraternal. Although she shares a strong bond with her sisters Olivia and Odette, Clementine has always felt like something of an outsider. The three daughters grew...more
Every now and then, you read a book where nothing much really happens, but the book is still completely engrossing and enjoyable to read. This is one of those books. Clementine Lord is one daughter in a set of triplets. Through a strange quirk, her two sisters are identical, while Clementine is fraternal. Although she shares a strong bond with her sisters Olivia and Odette, Clementine has always felt like something of an outsider. The three daughters grew...more
Gwendolen Gross, one of my favorite authors, enraptures us with her story of triplets, two identical and one the odd one out. Wish I could read all day today.
My heart is singing with Gwendolen Gross's beautiful words and deep emotions after finishing "The Orphan Sister"--
Gwendolen Gross goes to the heart of sisterhood in her new novel, "The Orphan Sister." She also maximizes her deft touch in capturing the fullness of passionate love, for a person, for a place, for a time in life.
The unusual plo...more
My heart is singing with Gwendolen Gross's beautiful words and deep emotions after finishing "The Orphan Sister"--
Gwendolen Gross goes to the heart of sisterhood in her new novel, "The Orphan Sister." She also maximizes her deft touch in capturing the fullness of passionate love, for a person, for a place, for a time in life.
The unusual plo...more
Jun 27, 2011
Christina (A Reader of Fictions)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
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Going into this, I didn't really have any expectations, but was hesitantly hopeful it might be interesting. I really didn't know anything about it, except that the triplet thing. I am happy to report that The Orphan Sister was about so much more than that. This story grabbed me from page one and I devoured it whole, the funny, the sweet, the romantic, the depressing and even the scenes about babies (which for me is saying something).
Clem has such a real voice that you really feel like you're get...more
Clem has such a real voice that you really feel like you're get...more
I think that there are periods in our lives when we all may feel out of step with our siblings and/or family. We simply feel as if we don't fit in for some reason. This appears to be the underlying theme of The Orphan Sister by Gwendolen Gross.
Clementine Lord feels out-of-step with her sisters, even though she is a triplet. It doesn't help that they are identical twins and she is simply the "sister." Or at least that how it feels to her at times. Clem's sisters are high achievers and have beaut...more
Clementine Lord feels out-of-step with her sisters, even though she is a triplet. It doesn't help that they are identical twins and she is simply the "sister." Or at least that how it feels to her at times. Clem's sisters are high achievers and have beaut...more
Clementine (who I immediately connected with) is the non-identical triplet to the matched pair of Odette and Olivia. It is not just in appearance that they are different. Clementine is single and applying to veterinary school while the two Os are married, pregnant, and have already followed in their father’s footsteps by becoming doctors. The family dynamic was already very intriguing with this, but then Dad disappeared telling only Olivia how to get in touch and specifying that it should only b...more
This book was just fine. I read other reviews before I really processed what I thought about this book. (Weird and a bit warped, but true.)
The reason I liked this book as much as I did was because there were some comments or situations that made my mind wander not just when I was reading but at various other times during the days I was reading it and days since.
However, while this was an interesting book I didn't find it gripping or compelling to read. After reading other reviews I realize that...more
The reason I liked this book as much as I did was because there were some comments or situations that made my mind wander not just when I was reading but at various other times during the days I was reading it and days since.
However, while this was an interesting book I didn't find it gripping or compelling to read. After reading other reviews I realize that...more
Triplets Odette, Olivia and Clementine are at major crossroads in their lives when their father abandons them and their mother. Odette and Olivia are identical twins and Clementine seems to be just another sister except that she was born at the same time. Odette and Olivia, both doctors like their pediatric neurosurgeon father are also pregnant at the same time while Clementine is struggling to get in to veterinarian school when she moves back home while waiting for her acceptance letter. One da...more
I had some definite problems with this book but there were many likable aspects to this book as well. I thought that this was a nice snapshot of the intricate family dynamics at work in one particular family. However, I felt that some of the protagonist's reactions to the dynamics at play were at times somewhat superficial. The topics explored, such as the dialectical tension between the desire to be connected symbiotically to someone and at the same time be a separate individual person was inte...more
Goodreads Giveaway. I love when I read a book and the author says something in such a way that I have to reread it, run it around in my mind, because it's so perfect. This happened a million times while reading The Orphan Sister. I just kept thinking to myself, "Well said".In addition, I really liked the protagonist, Clementine, who was one in a set of triplets. Interestingly, her sisters were identical twins, which caused Clementine to feel like she never really belonged. She was mostly on the...more
I just finished this brilliant novel - so intoxicating! I spent the weekend reading it and finished in the early hours of Sunday (this) morning - when my house was quiet and the kiddos asleep and I could truly focus on the story and being swept away in it. I loved this novel - it has everything I enjoy in a book: sisterhood, family drama, a bit of a mystery, complex relationships, amazing and delicious characters (primary and secondary), brilliant, magical and lyrical writing (I immediately went...more
Am I the only one that thought that this book was boring? It was a real struggle to get through it. If there was a plot line, it was a flimsy one. This is one book that won't grab you after the first few pages. It didn't grab me after 280 pages. The odd triplet makes herself the victim and just seems to me to be self centered. She comes across as an angry woman for no reason whatsoever. If there was a half star rating I would have given that for this book. The author skips from the present to th...more
The Orphan Sister by Gwendolen Cross, a Goodreads First Read free giveaway book won on June 28th, received on July 13th, and begun on July 20th. Odd one out sibling rivalry. Okie dokie.
Somehow, the tone of the first-person narration seems alot how someone with OCD would speak - doublebacking, explaining, excusing, compartmentalized, and having a reason for every tic. And, being this character comes from an affluent family, I likened it to Howard Hughes, except a girl with her first and foremost...more
Somehow, the tone of the first-person narration seems alot how someone with OCD would speak - doublebacking, explaining, excusing, compartmentalized, and having a reason for every tic. And, being this character comes from an affluent family, I likened it to Howard Hughes, except a girl with her first and foremost...more
This book was a beautiful exploration of family, sisters, love and loss. At first, I found it a little slow moving, and at about the 80 page point there was a character who had been mentioned before, but not in a way that I could remember who he was or what had happened to him (turns out, the author chose to carefully bring him in, bit by bit and that was part of the way the story was written.) It really bothered me that I couldn't remember who he was and I spent an hour or so looking back throu...more
This was an intricate story of a triplet's struggle to find her own way. Every sibling struggles to belong to yet be independent from their family, but Clementine Lord's feelings of being left out and alternately smothered by her status as the fraternal sister to the two identical sisters that makes up the triplet set. Throw in the tragic and surprising death of her college sweetheart - while they're still in college, and Clementine struggles greatly with her relationship with her sisters, paren...more
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Dubbed the reigning queen of women's adventure fiction by Joanna Smith Rakoff in Book Magazine, Gwendolen Gross grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. She graduated from Oberlin College, where she studied science writing and voice performance. She spent a semester in Australia with a field studies program, studying spectacled fruit bats in the rainforest remnants of Northern Queensland.
After college sh...more
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May 14, 2012 09:36am