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The Almost Archer Sisters
Georgia "Peachy" Archer always thought she was happy with her choices in quitting college, marrying young, raising two boys in the same small town where she grew up. But just as Peachy's life is beginning to settle into a careful routine, her sister's life begins to dangerously unravel.
Beth Archer chose a different fancy apartment in Manhattan, fancy friends, making lots of money. She's been on her own since she was a teenager, and she's still on her own, outgrowing dress styles and boyfriends faster than Peachy can inherit them. But on a visit home one weekend, Beth upends everything Peachy thought she knew about being happy.
In the tradition of Jennifer Weiner and Melissa Bank, The Almost Archer Sisters is a refreshingly honest portrait of sisterhood, motherhood, and female mayhem in its many states of grievance, grace, and forgiveness.
Beth Archer chose a different fancy apartment in Manhattan, fancy friends, making lots of money. She's been on her own since she was a teenager, and she's still on her own, outgrowing dress styles and boyfriends faster than Peachy can inherit them. But on a visit home one weekend, Beth upends everything Peachy thought she knew about being happy.
In the tradition of Jennifer Weiner and Melissa Bank, The Almost Archer Sisters is a refreshingly honest portrait of sisterhood, motherhood, and female mayhem in its many states of grievance, grace, and forgiveness.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2008
About the author
Lisa Gabriele
6 books234 followersLisa Gabriele is an author, podcast producer and a award-winning TV producer. Her writing has appeared in Nerve, New York Magazine, Washington Post, The New York Times and the Magazine, Globe and Mail, National Post, Vice, Elle and Glamour. Her essays have appeared in several anthologies, including The Best American Non-Required Reading. She’s also the author of the international best-selling S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy, under the pseudonym L. Marie Adeline, a series that’s been published in more than 30 countries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 2, 2024
If I'm being honest, I didn't enjoy this book.
Lisa Gabriele's writing style is marvelous and I really liked her prose, but the story itself and how it moved didn't work with me. I wanted to hear about the drama and aftermath of the affair that happens in the book, not have a bunch of flashbacks that take up 75% of the book. The ending doesn't close what happened either - her husband cheats on her, she goes home and the end? Her husband and sister humiliated and hurt her beyond words and we don't get to see how that affects the family? I don't understand the point of this book. The flashbacks are very important but they were the forefront, not the actual emotional trauma that happened in the story.
This one disappointed me. Lisa Gabriele is a marvelous writer so I likely will try to pick up another book, but this one was not it for me.
Lisa Gabriele's writing style is marvelous and I really liked her prose, but the story itself and how it moved didn't work with me. I wanted to hear about the drama and aftermath of the affair that happens in the book, not have a bunch of flashbacks that take up 75% of the book. The ending doesn't close what happened either - her husband cheats on her, she goes home and the end? Her husband and sister humiliated and hurt her beyond words and we don't get to see how that affects the family? I don't understand the point of this book. The flashbacks are very important but they were the forefront, not the actual emotional trauma that happened in the story.
This one disappointed me. Lisa Gabriele is a marvelous writer so I likely will try to pick up another book, but this one was not it for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2014
Unable to relate or even care. Just because you are an indulgent bitch/slut with mental problems does not mean that you should be absolved of all wrongs, simply because you say you love your family and they, by default and relation, MUST love you too. It is one thing to consider forgiving a previously faithful and good husband for cheating on you after you have sexually/emotionally neglected him for years...it is another all together to forgive your SISTER, with whom you were formerly very close, for fucking your spouse. Not so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2009
Clever and painfully honest--that's how I'd describe Gabriele's narrator Peachy, and also the book itself. I thought this would be kind of chick lit-ish read, which is what i was looking for, but it was much darker and wittier than I realized. Frankly, it took me a few chapters to get into it, because Gabriele's style is unusual--she jumps around in the timeline, adds details that don't make sense until a little later, and then pops you in the face with a wild plot point like this one: "But that was 4 hours before I walked in my sister ****ing my husband in the pantry." Do what now?
But that plot point fuels the rest of the story. Archer sisters Beth and Peachy are as opposite as two girls can be, but they love each other dearly (well--despite some of Beth's flaws). Peachy lives in Canada with her husband that she married after an unexpected pregnancy at 18 (and oddly enough Beth's high school boyfriend), their 2 boys and her widowed father. Big sister Beth, wild and restless after their mother's suicide when she was a child, flees to New York City to be famous and successful. She's living the big life, but can't settle down, contain her drinking, or avoid getting mentioned in the NYC tabloids. Her sister's house was a sanctuary of sorts until the unfortunate incident in the pantry.
The girls' complicated but loving relationship is what fuels the heart of the story, as well as Peachy's fierce love for her family, despite (perhaps because of) her humble but limited surroundings. Having Peachy narrate the story is effective--Beth might be flashy, but she's a tornado that destroys everything in its wake. Peachy is solid, unobtrusive, and forgiving--but will she always be after this betrayal? Really engaging, and when it started to pick up steam, I couldn't put it down!
But that plot point fuels the rest of the story. Archer sisters Beth and Peachy are as opposite as two girls can be, but they love each other dearly (well--despite some of Beth's flaws). Peachy lives in Canada with her husband that she married after an unexpected pregnancy at 18 (and oddly enough Beth's high school boyfriend), their 2 boys and her widowed father. Big sister Beth, wild and restless after their mother's suicide when she was a child, flees to New York City to be famous and successful. She's living the big life, but can't settle down, contain her drinking, or avoid getting mentioned in the NYC tabloids. Her sister's house was a sanctuary of sorts until the unfortunate incident in the pantry.
The girls' complicated but loving relationship is what fuels the heart of the story, as well as Peachy's fierce love for her family, despite (perhaps because of) her humble but limited surroundings. Having Peachy narrate the story is effective--Beth might be flashy, but she's a tornado that destroys everything in its wake. Peachy is solid, unobtrusive, and forgiving--but will she always be after this betrayal? Really engaging, and when it started to pick up steam, I couldn't put it down!
February 23, 2009
This book is not worth reading unless you enjoy reading about snide comments about America from a character - Lou.
AVERT YOU EYES IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE WHAT I AM WRITING
Here is something that has gotten under my skin...
Lou is a draft dodger from the Vietnam war and made his escape to Canada with his family. His comment about Americans being in Afgahistan threw me for a PATRIOTIC loop.
My comment to this fictional character...Lou you lost your rights to critize a country you did not serve instead you fled like others to Canada. That is all very well and good because truth be told... if you had heart for your country you would of stepped up and served America. So, shut you piehole draft dodger, your opinion no longer counts. And Lou, you no longer have the First Amendment covering you. The First Amendment is for US Citizens it is not International. Boo hoo for you!!
The book cover is deceiving the girls facing one another should have their hands holding up miniature Communist flags or the burning of American flags. But I guess the author knew if she and her marketing team did that - they wouldn't sell a lot of book.
AVERT YOU EYES IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE WHAT I AM WRITING
Here is something that has gotten under my skin...
Lou is a draft dodger from the Vietnam war and made his escape to Canada with his family. His comment about Americans being in Afgahistan threw me for a PATRIOTIC loop.
My comment to this fictional character...Lou you lost your rights to critize a country you did not serve instead you fled like others to Canada. That is all very well and good because truth be told... if you had heart for your country you would of stepped up and served America. So, shut you piehole draft dodger, your opinion no longer counts. And Lou, you no longer have the First Amendment covering you. The First Amendment is for US Citizens it is not International. Boo hoo for you!!
The book cover is deceiving the girls facing one another should have their hands holding up miniature Communist flags or the burning of American flags. But I guess the author knew if she and her marketing team did that - they wouldn't sell a lot of book.
March 23, 2009
I spent most of this book wanting to smack both main characters. Peachy for being an ineffectual victim, and her sister Beth for needing to be taken to the wood shed and dealt a whoopn'. Beth and Peachy lose their mother to suicide at a young age. Beth turns into a wild child who wouldn't have if discipline of some sort had been used in the household. Peachy, which is the middle name/nick name of Georgia, becomes the mother to her sister, the willing vicitm,and all around door mat. I just wanted to slap her and ala Cher in moonstruck, yell "Snap out of it!". And of course, Beth, in an overdone plot device, sleeps with Peachy's husband (and former boyfriend of Beth's). Waste of brain space!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2016
"Georgia "Peachy" Archer always thought she was happy with her choices in life: quitting college, marrying young, raising two boys in the same small town where she grew up. But just as Peachy's life is beginning to settle into a careful routine, her sister's life begins to dangerously unravel.
Beth Archer chose a different life: fancy apartment in Manhattan, fancy friends, making lots of money. She's been on her own since she was a teenager, and she's still on her own, outgrowing dress styles and boyfriends faster than Peachy can inherit them. But on a visit home one weekend, Beth upends everything Peachy thought she knew about being happy."
Okay so I agree with a lot of reviewers in that both the main characters are hard to like at times. But isn't that the point? We'd all like to think everyone is all sunshine and lollipops all the time but that isn't the case. People are mean and selfish and whiners a lot of the time. And people can be kind and compassionate and empathetic. That's life. I'm sure if everyone's inner thoughts about things were displayed for all to see they wouldn't always look like the best version of the themselves. I think this book does an excellent job of showing how mental illness can affect not just the sufferer but those around them as well. And anyone who says that shouldn't be an excuse for bad behaviour, (it isn't by the way) clearly have never experienced a loved one who has suffered from it.
Beth Archer chose a different life: fancy apartment in Manhattan, fancy friends, making lots of money. She's been on her own since she was a teenager, and she's still on her own, outgrowing dress styles and boyfriends faster than Peachy can inherit them. But on a visit home one weekend, Beth upends everything Peachy thought she knew about being happy."
Okay so I agree with a lot of reviewers in that both the main characters are hard to like at times. But isn't that the point? We'd all like to think everyone is all sunshine and lollipops all the time but that isn't the case. People are mean and selfish and whiners a lot of the time. And people can be kind and compassionate and empathetic. That's life. I'm sure if everyone's inner thoughts about things were displayed for all to see they wouldn't always look like the best version of the themselves. I think this book does an excellent job of showing how mental illness can affect not just the sufferer but those around them as well. And anyone who says that shouldn't be an excuse for bad behaviour, (it isn't by the way) clearly have never experienced a loved one who has suffered from it.
May 6, 2014
I'm a sister to one brother, and as I get older (I'm Peachy's age for one more week!) it makes me wonder how my life would be different if I had a sister in it.
A major theme in this book is family, belonging, and forgiveness. When we meet Peachy she seems happy, yet exhausted, from the life that she thinks she chose.
She's unsure whether her life is really composed of her choices, or whether its her response to wanting to be different from her sister. Are we made up of our own plans or do we mirror them heavily on the actions of others?
Peachy's New York adventure is important and invigorating because it gives her the perspective on her sister that she would never get in her presence. It's a bit overly tidy and TOO neatly packaged near the end, but you can't help but root for Peachy's good nature to shine through.
A lot of the reviews her are negative mainly because people don't sympathize with Beth, and that's ok. You're niot really supposed to, but you're supposed to want to love her anyway. Just like Peachy discovers she still does.
A major theme in this book is family, belonging, and forgiveness. When we meet Peachy she seems happy, yet exhausted, from the life that she thinks she chose.
She's unsure whether her life is really composed of her choices, or whether its her response to wanting to be different from her sister. Are we made up of our own plans or do we mirror them heavily on the actions of others?
Peachy's New York adventure is important and invigorating because it gives her the perspective on her sister that she would never get in her presence. It's a bit overly tidy and TOO neatly packaged near the end, but you can't help but root for Peachy's good nature to shine through.
A lot of the reviews her are negative mainly because people don't sympathize with Beth, and that's ok. You're niot really supposed to, but you're supposed to want to love her anyway. Just like Peachy discovers she still does.
July 16, 2009
This was definitely not what I expected. It was depressing, annoying and not really all that good. Luckily it was a quick read.
The book is centered around the relationship of two half-sisters. They share an interesting story. Peachy marries and has children young and stays at their home, a farm, in Canada. Beth, her sister, moves to NYC as fast as she can, and apparently turns into a huge bitch. They have two very different lives, but they intersect at some strange points.
I guess my favorite part of this book was at the end when Peachy goes to NYC, but that's pretty much it's only redeeming quality.
The book is centered around the relationship of two half-sisters. They share an interesting story. Peachy marries and has children young and stays at their home, a farm, in Canada. Beth, her sister, moves to NYC as fast as she can, and apparently turns into a huge bitch. They have two very different lives, but they intersect at some strange points.
I guess my favorite part of this book was at the end when Peachy goes to NYC, but that's pretty much it's only redeeming quality.
August 23, 2011
The average rating on this book seemed far lower than I would have expected. Most people who gave it poor ratings 1) didn't like the characters and/or 2) thought the foul language and/or major plot point was too distasteful.
I saw past all that, and I enjoyed this book. It's easy to see how the younger sister took the complacent life while the older sister ran off to live a life in pursuit of material wealth and a husband of status. The natural offshoot is that the sisters' dynamic is unhealthy, and both become entrenched in their specific and opposite ways. Ultimately it is about whether there are limits to forgiveness.
This is definitely a character book and not a plot book.
I saw past all that, and I enjoyed this book. It's easy to see how the younger sister took the complacent life while the older sister ran off to live a life in pursuit of material wealth and a husband of status. The natural offshoot is that the sisters' dynamic is unhealthy, and both become entrenched in their specific and opposite ways. Ultimately it is about whether there are limits to forgiveness.
This is definitely a character book and not a plot book.
March 7, 2023
I have no idea why this book is rated so low. Honestly it kind of almost made me not read this book but I’m so glad I actually did read it! I can’t confirm some comments ranting about there being so many sex scenes in this book. Some more recent authors put in waaaay more spice than there is in this book. Also despite some mentions about sex I think there is a profound, deep story that’s worth reading and thinking about. Me personally, I found myself reflecting on topics like toxic sibling or family dynamics, choices we make in life and their impact, lost and newfound opportunities and comparing one’s state of happiness to others. The characters are complex and the story is well told.
March 27, 2009
A typical "Chic-lit" book. I did quite enjoy the wit and honesty of the main character. She also portrayed a mother's love for her 2 boys so beautifully, it was heartbreaking at times. The sister was a different story. Her thoughts and conversation was so immature and downright stupid. She is portrayed as a "successful" woman in N.Y. City, and yet has the vocabulary and emotions of a 12 year old. It just didn't ring true to me. By the way that "f" word was over used.
May 17, 2010
My mom picked this up for my sister and I to read based on the fact that it was about two sisters, not knowing what it was about. My sister read it first, then gave it to me with the warning that it had NOTHING to do with us or our relationship or her relationship/friendship with my significant other (if you've read this book, you know what I am referring to).
This was a quick read, but one that I would neither recommend to others, nor read again.
This was a quick read, but one that I would neither recommend to others, nor read again.
March 15, 2015
I loved "The Almost Archer Sisters" and was very unhappy when it ended. All the characters were wonderfully written and I identified greatly with Peachy. This book was funny and heartbreaking and one of the best books I have read in a long time. I would recommend "The Almost Archer Sisters" who likes to get lost in a book that touches many emotions and stays with you long after you finish reading it.
May 1, 2019
I can’t believe I actually read this book. Gritty and obscene, the language and sex were revolting. Reading this gave skimming a whole new meaning. Only way to avoid lurid sex.
I hated ALL the characters - the book made me feel like I had just moved in with trailer park trash. What a sad, depressing life the author must have to be able to write such garbage.
What amazes me is that I gave her other book 5 stars!
I hated ALL the characters - the book made me feel like I had just moved in with trailer park trash. What a sad, depressing life the author must have to be able to write such garbage.
What amazes me is that I gave her other book 5 stars!
March 16, 2009
I just couldn't get into this book. I didn't like the characters and it jumped all over the place. It took you to the past, present, and future, but I was never quite sure where exactly it was at any given point. I tried to continue reading it in the hopes it would get better, but then decided I had enough torture and gave up. If anyone gets thru it, please let me know how it ends. :)
July 24, 2018
This book was very hard for me to get through. I am not much on the use of bad language in a "good" book. Not my cup of tea. I like a clean book. Anyways, it's slow to start and goes back and forth alot and you have to really pay attention since it jumps between characters so much. Probably won't read this author's books again.
January 7, 2010
I got about 50 pages into this book before I decided I couldn't handle all the sleeping around anymore. I appreciate honesty and earthiness in books, but this was a little too over the top for me. It wasn't terrible, though - I liked Peach and Lou as characters.
April 21, 2010
This book was much to crude for me to finish. Bad language, disturbing relationships, and to much detail about certain things. I had barely gotten into it when I realized where it was headed and had to return it to the library. Too bad, because it sounded interesting.
July 16, 2011
Bleah. Vomit. I couldn't stand any of the characters in this book. One sister is a conniving bitch; the other is a whining loser. My personal rule is to read 100 pages before deciding if I don't like a book. I read through page 100. I couldn't stomach another word.
March 26, 2010
Didn't even finish the book.
October 12, 2010
I started this book and then put it down... I won't finish it. I wasn't a fan of the book and only got to the second chapter... It wasn't for me the language and sex in this book were not my thing...
March 24, 2011
Halfway through I got really bored with the book and found myself skipping paragraphs just to finish it.
October 30, 2011
I couldnt get past page 60.
July 28, 2015
I could read only about one fourth of the book. If a book does not appeal to me after that many pages ,I just cannot continue. Sorry Lisa Gabriele.
November 23, 2015
I GIVE UP. IT'S JUST TOO BORING.
August 31, 2016
tired of this story
November 14, 2016
Meh, book was just boring.
August 20, 2019
Não vale a pena!
Eu entendi que a autora tentou fazer saltos no tempo, mas não teve talento para contar a história desta forma e o livro ficou confuso. Muito confuso.
Quanto a história, ela tinha potencial, mas não foi desenvolvido de forma nenhuma.
Todos os personagens eram infelizes e insatisfeitos. Mas esse não foi o problema, o problema dessa história foi que nada foi explorado ou aprofundado, nada.
A traição da irmã e do marido, sob o meu ponto de vista é imperdoável. Ela viu, não tem como apagar isso da memória. Alguem até pode tentar ou querer perdoar, mas jamais esquecer.
Não consegui me identificar com nenhuma atitude de nenhum personagem, mas como leitores, deveríamos nos aproximar da protagonista, mas não deu. Tudo estava errado desde antes da traição e após, não mudou nada pois não vi nenhuma atitude ser tomada, muito pelo contrário.
Sabe quando tu lês apenas as manchetes dos jornais? Foi a impressão que tive com esse livro, que li apenas as manchetes e não li a notícia.
Eu entendi que a autora tentou fazer saltos no tempo, mas não teve talento para contar a história desta forma e o livro ficou confuso. Muito confuso.
Quanto a história, ela tinha potencial, mas não foi desenvolvido de forma nenhuma.
Todos os personagens eram infelizes e insatisfeitos. Mas esse não foi o problema, o problema dessa história foi que nada foi explorado ou aprofundado, nada.
A traição da irmã e do marido, sob o meu ponto de vista é imperdoável. Ela viu, não tem como apagar isso da memória. Alguem até pode tentar ou querer perdoar, mas jamais esquecer.
Não consegui me identificar com nenhuma atitude de nenhum personagem, mas como leitores, deveríamos nos aproximar da protagonista, mas não deu. Tudo estava errado desde antes da traição e após, não mudou nada pois não vi nenhuma atitude ser tomada, muito pelo contrário.
Sabe quando tu lês apenas as manchetes dos jornais? Foi a impressão que tive com esse livro, que li apenas as manchetes e não li a notícia.
July 26, 2018
Good read! Quite the family drama.
August 3, 2019
Read for book club. Wouldn’t have read it otherwise. It was mediocre at best.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews