The Sisters of Summit Avenue, Lynn Cullen
The Sisters of Summit Avenue, Lynn Cullen
1 Rating(s)
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The Sisters of Summit Avenue

Author: Lynn Cullen

Narrator: Madeleine Maby

Unabridged: 9 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/10/2019


Synopsis

From the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe and Twain’s End comes a “poignant, beautifully rendered story of two sisters who find the courage to reclaim their bond after years of misunderstandings and heartbreak” (Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author) during the Great Depression.

1934. Ruth has been single-handedly raising four young daughters and running her family’s Indiana farm for eight long years, ever since her husband, John, was infected by the infamous “sleeping sickness” devastating families across the country. If only she could trade places with her older sister, June: blonde and beautiful, married to a wealthy doctor, living in a mansion in St. Paul. And June has a coveted job, too, as one of “the Bettys,” the perky recipe developers who populate the famous Betty Crocker test kitchen. But these gilded trappings hide sorrows: she has borne no children. And the man she loves more than anything belongs to Ruth.

When the two sisters reluctantly reunite after a long estrangement, June’s bitterness about her sister’s betrayal sets into motion a confrontation that’s been years in the making. And their mother, Dorothy, who’s brought the two of them together, has her own dark secrets, which might blow up the fragile peace she hopes to restore between her daughters.

An emotional journey of redemption, inner strength, and the ties that bind families together, for better or worse, The Sisters of Summit Avenue is a moving and heartfelt tribute to mothers, daughters, and sisters everywhere.

About Lynn Cullen

Lynn Cullen grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is the bestselling author of The Sisters of Summit Avenue, Twain’s End, and Mrs. Poe, which was named an NPR 2013 Great Read and an Indie Next List selection. She lives in Atlanta.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Lindsey

While I own another of Lynn Cullen's books, this was my first of hers to actually read. The premise behind the book is very interesting. Sibling rivalries, estranged mother-daughter relationships with deep dark secrets mixed all into one big Betty Crocker cake. I want to start off by saying I didn't......more

I'm not going to go into the plot too much since everything you need to know is in the description. This was a stunning work of historical fiction and not just because it was set during my favorite time period. The writing is so evocative without being overly emotional or turning into a sob story. W......more

Goodreads review by Cindy

This book didn’t work well for me. I lost interest in it multiple times throughout the story. I had trouble connecting with the characters. It is a very intertwined story but at times it was too much of a stretch for me to believe I did finish the book although even the end left a couple too many op......more


Quotes

“A gripping story of two complex sisters, bound by anger, resentment, and love… keeps the pages turning.” 

"A captivating depression-era tale of two sisters locked into a lifelong rivalry that will equal parts surprise and delight you. This is the sibling story I never knew I needed."  

“A story of gripping emotional power. Riveting and suspenseful, the novel builds to a devastating conclusion that made me return to the beginning to start over, because I wasn't ready to leave Cullen's vivid fictional world.”  

“In THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE, Lynn Cullen has given us a truly lovely gift; a fascinating, complex study of the ties that bind mothers, sisters and daughters.  The Depression-era setting is vividly captured; the behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of advertising, in the form of Betty Crocker, fascinating.  But it’s the poignant, beautifully rendered story of two sisters who find the courage to reclaim their bond after years of misunderstandings and heartbreak that you will remember, and cherish.”  

In THE SISTERS OF SUMMIT AVENUE, Lynn Cullen brings to life the real women behind Betty Crocker, the fictional domestic goddess who gave advice and hope to countless housewives who were just scraping by during the Great Depression. Cullen’s female characters shine in their complexity and true-life emotions. An enchanting and engaging read. 

"Heartfelt . . . Sibling rivalry, betrayal, resentment, and cowardice add spice to this saga of sisters."

“In this evocative Depression-era novel . . . Cullen explores a complex, realistic dynamic between sisters who have never resolved their contentious youthful traumas and grounds her story with convincing historical details. Fans of Paula McLain will love this.”